International Men's Day is marked on November 19, but for social entrepreneur TT Mbha, it's more than just a hashtag. He believes that addressing the challenges facing men and boys requires bringing them together for honest conversations. Through his initiative, Amatyma Mancave, Mbha is taking this message into communities, using sport and practical wellness activities to encourage fathers, father-figures, and teenage boys to connect.
Mbha's motivation for the initiative is rooted in his own experience and an earlier television project with his father, Like Tyma Like Ntwana, which explored the dynamics of father-and-son relationships. The programme highlighted a significant communication gap between fathers and sons, particularly in some black South African families. Mbha says that most boys are scared of their fathers due to how their fathers were raised by their own fathers, leading to a generational curse of unapproachable behaviour, violence, substance, and alcohol abuse.
Amatyma Mancave is positioning itself as a safe wellness space for men and boys, rather than a social club or stokvel. The initiative will host two International Men's Day activations at SAFE Hub in Alexandra on November 14 and SAFE Hub in Soweto on November 15. The aim is to bring together 200 men and 200 teenage boys for activities focused on physical, mental, and financial wellness, as well as strengthening relationships between generations.
The event will incorporate seven wellness zones, covering different aspects of physical, mental, and financial well-being. Physical wellness will focus on exercise, healthy eating, and health checks. Mental wellness activities will use Chess and guided discussions to introduce topics including depression and anxiety, helping boys and men recognise the signs and understand where to seek support.
Financial wellness will be another important part of the programme, with activities using games such as Monopoly to introduce conversations about saving, investing, and managing money. Mbha says that many men were never taught about financial planning by their fathers, leaving them to learn through experience, sometimes at considerable cost. The intention is to introduce these conversations early, helping boys understand the importance of saving and preparing financially for the future.
The initiative is being delivered in partnership with SAFE Hub, which provides the community venues, while Legacy Partners, TTMbha Financial Services, and Rexona are supporting the programme. Mbha says that corporate backing is essential to making the activations possible and ensuring that they can be delivered effectively. He also wants more companies to consider supporting initiatives focused on men and boys.
Mbha believes that traditional expectations around masculinity need to change. He says that men should be able to express their emotions and not bottle things up. The objective is ultimately to create an environment where men can learn from one another, and boys can see a different example of fatherhood. It may start with a game of soccer, a conversation about money, or a health check, but the goal is to create a lasting impact.
Key points
- TT Mbha's Amatyma Mancave initiative aims to bring together fathers and teenage boys for activities focused on physical, mental, and financial wellness.
- The programme seeks to address the challenges facing men and boys in South Africa, including a significant communication gap between fathers and sons.
- Corporate support is essential to making the activations possible and ensuring that they can be delivered effectively.
