​Thembisa Shologu
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on young men across South Africa to take a stand against the pervasive violence eroding the nation's social fabric.
Addressing the Presidential Young Men and Boys Indaba at Maponya Mall, Soweto, on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa emphasized the urgent need for change through collective action.
The Indaba, attended by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, focused on engaging young boys in preventing and combating Gender-based violence (GBV) and genocide. 
The president underscored the significance of creating safe spaces for open conversations.
"We want to create more safe and open spaces where you can talk about your feelings, share, and collaborate on strategies that help you advance through different stages of your lives. 
 "The programme's focus is to reimagine and reinvent masculinities in sensitive, kind, respectful, accountable, expressive and nurturing ways."
President Ramaphosa noted the imperative for men to demonstrate their respect for women and girls in words and actions, challenging the toxic masculinity that being a man meant one must dominate and demean women. 
"To end Gender-Based Violence, we must focus on prevention. We must stop this violence before it even happens. There must be an open and honest conversation about what contributes to violence against women and girls," he said. 
He highlighted the weight of societal pressures, particularly affecting young men who have undergone ritual initiation to affirm their manhood. 
These pressures, including coercive engagement in sexual activities, have led to adverse consequences such as teenage pregnancies, the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and related issues that demand open discussion.
"Kumele sikhulume[we must talk] about sexuality in general; stigma, bullying and even violence against gay or gender non-conforming young men. This is a problem in many of our communities," said the president. 
He extended his concerns to broader societal challenges, acknowledging the absence of positive male role models and the toll of absent fathers on the youth. He called for a dialogue around what this means, especially for boy children.
Only a third of South Africa's children grow up in households with both parents, with most living with their mother only.
 "We must talk about what it means for young men and boys not to have a father at home to support, encourage and guide them.
"We must talk about the pressure on young men and boys to drop out of school to earn a living because they have family members relying on them financially or because they want to be independent," he said.
President Ramaphosa said young men were also vulnerable, experiencing depression, loneliness, and frustration which he added sometimes manifested in aggressive behaviour, especially towards women and girls. 
He emphasized that young men are not merely part of the problem but hold the potential to be the catalysts of positive transformation.
He envisioned a new generation of South African men characterized by respect, positive masculinity, and empathy. 
"As young men, you may be tired of being told you are a problem. You want your dignity respected and upheld. We see you as not the problem but as the solution. It is in your hands to bring about a new generation of South African men. 
 "This new generation of men are respectful, masculine in a positive way and sensitive. They would never think of a woman as less than a man. They would never think about raising their hand against a woman," added President Ramaphosa.