​On Tuesday, 21st February 2023, the Department of Social Development Men’s Forum in association with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety hosted a Gauteng Consultative Conference on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and a formation of National Men’s Forum SA at the White City Ipeleng Community Centre, Jabavu in Soweto. 
The purpose of the conference was to reflect on the role and response of the men’s movement in the fight against Gender-based Violence and Femicide and to unite all the men’s forums in the Gauteng province. Further, the conference was aimed at establishing a provincial interim leadership structure that will work towards the provincial election during the year 2023. 

The conference was used as an opportunity to mobilize men from different men’s forums and Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) across the province to connect, network and unite against a plethora of social ills and challenges that cultivate the culture of violence among men and negatively affect the province. 

Among the stakeholders invited were the South African Police Services (SAPS) , Commission of Gender Equality, leaders from various Faith-based Organizations (FBO’s) such as the Kagiso Foundation of Proof Ministry with the Young Men’s Guild Methodist church, individuals together with representatives from various NPO’s and forums such as the Protea Men’s Forum, Mzansi Act Now Youth League, Mohlakeng Men’s Forum, Save a Boy Child Pimville Men’s Forum, Adapt Alex Men’s Forum, members of the musical trio Kwela Tebza and Edutainment from Ekurhuleni South, etc. 

Johannesburg Executive Mayor Thapelo Amad, who was invited as the keynote speaker, said "One of the key factors that promote and perpetuate gender inequality and violence against women and children is the legacy of apartheid, which has left residues of structural injustice. Although gender-based violence knows no race, creed, or class, women and children who reside in the peripheral sections of Gauteng are often the ones who bear the brunt of falling victim to violence,’ said Mayor Amad. 

Mayor Amad also alluded to poverty and unemployment as the key drivers and contributing factors of GBVF and breakdown of families. 

He added, “Government has to be the voice of the people, as black women in particular are at the bottom of the social strata”.

Amad added that we need to find and implement new ways of raising boys and address toxic masculinity rooted in our everyday lives. 

Representatives from different organizations and forums were given an opportunity to raise their concerns and speak on issues they face in their respective organizations. 

Mpho Lerole, who was appointed as the interim Secretary General of the National Men’s Forum, reported that some of the challenges that emanated from various forums and organizations were the issues of funding and compliance. 

He also highlighted the need for interventions from the private sector in South Africa. 

Representing the Commission of Gender Equality was the Assistant Director, Gontse Motaung, who added that much discourse and attention has been focused on female’s challenges due to the gap in gender inequality, thus it is imperative to address issues that are commonly faced by men. 

The Department of Social Development’s Chief Director, Bongani Ngomane, who was recently appointed as the commissioner of gender equality by President Ramaphosa, elaborated with a contextual profiling of who and what South African men comprise. He further touched on the six pillars from the National Strategic Plan on GBVF and recommended ways in which concerted efforts from multi-sectorial interventions could assist in curbing the surge of GBVF. 

Lastly, the new members of the interim leadership structure for the National Men’s Forum were appointed to unite. Chairperson of Social Development Men’s forum, Thomas Dikgoro, gave the closing remarks and thanked the guests and speakers for their participation in grooming men to be agents of change in our communities.