As the nation continues to wrestle with the scourge of gender-based violence, four young from Nyanga are currently in Gauteng for training and counselling sessions to deal with the problem.
The quartet are members of the Nyanga Men Empowerment (NME), a non-profit organisation (NPO) that deals with social ills in the area.
Among others, the NPO deals with issues such as teenage pregnancy, parenthood, bullying, substance abuse, GBV, and sexual abuse. The programme is run by the National Institute of Community Development and Management (NICDAM) which is an accredited skills development provider.
NICDAM was appointed by the National Department of Social Development, Directorate: Victim Empowerment Programme to develop a gender-based Violence Prevention Strategy and supporting training material.
The project entailed a comprehensive desktop review and literature study of existing prevention programmes and information that would inform the strategy.
The group left on Sunday 17 October and is due back in the province today (20 October).
Last week, the quartet attended a five-days training at the Cape Sun Hotel. The training forms part of the organisation’s efforts to root out the GBV scourge in the area. Once they have completed the training they will be expected to work in the community as ambassadors for change.
NME secretary Khwezi Tyatyam said they were proud to be represented at the national programme as they will come back to share the learned information with the community. “The four young men will be representing Nyanga Men Empowerment at the national programme organised by Social Development where they will also engage other youth. They will also receive counselling training on how to better deal with victims of the various issues we tackle as the NPO,” he said.
Tyatyam said they will have referrals and implement what they have been taught. He said they will also be introduced to local structures such as SA National Civics Organisation (Sanco) and development forums.
Siyacela Rolomane said their visit to Johannesburg was to equip them more and plough back to their communities.
“As the NPO, we have been doing awareness and holding dialogues in our community. So, this visit will help skill us more on how to deal with the different topics we hold,” said Rolomane.
He said he was looking forward to the training and also eager to share what he will learn in his community.