​Men's Forum, a Gauteng Department of Social Development driven initiative, aims to motivate, engage, assist, and inspire men to be agents of change in their communities and families.
Recently, the forum had a change in leadership with Mokoena Thomas Digoro being elected as the new chairperson of the forum. Weekly bulletin's Nqobile Sibiya and Simphiwe Khumalo spoke to Digoro on his new role. 
Mokoena Thomas Digoro, originally from the North West province, is a Care Worker at Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre in Cullinan, Tshwane. He describes himself as having a passion for community development and providing mentorship to men. 
"As a young man I needed someone to mentor and guide me, this is why I became involved in community work", said Digoro. 
He started his journey as a Community Developer volunteering for local NGOs that provided skills development and training to young men, and NGOs that worked to raise awareness on issues related to HIV/AIDS. 
After completing his Diploma in Youth Development, Digoro joined the Department through an internship for Youth Development and eventually became a care worker in 2007. 
In 2012 Digoro was recruited by his male colleagues in the Department, who were also involved in community-based work, to create a platform where men would discuss issues close to them and offer each other support. This resulted in what is now the Men's Forum. 
Speaking on why the forum was created, Digoro said, "This platform is necessary to stop the culture of silence amongst men, to restore the dignity of men so that they can build their families, teach men on how to stop abuse and to avoid criminal activities". 
As the new Chairperson, Digoro hopes to continue to change the perception of men in society and their families. "We want a man's character in the community to be the same in their homes. Families should not fear their fathers", said Digoro. 
He cites activities such as the 'father and son run' as proof of the significance of the forum in men's lives. "Men are able to build better relationships with their sons and other men", added Digoro.