Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
26 June 2024
The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) hosted its first Men’s Conference for the male staff at the Mayor’s Parlor at the GSDM Office Complex in Ermelo on Wednesday, 19 June 2024.
The General Manager for Corporate Services at GSDM, Ms Makhazasi Radebe, said the purpose of the event, which formed part of Men’s Health Month (June), was to give male employees of the GSDM an opportunity to interact with various stakeholders on issues that affect them.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Councillor Bethuel Zunguza, attended the event on behalf of the District Executive Mayor.
He made a call to the Men’s Conference, saying, “If we want our society to be normal, we must first make sure that men and boys are normal.”
This was a closed session for men that touched on topics such as mental health and men’s health, family violence, sexual offences and child protection, child and spousal maintenance, marriage contracts and lobola, and financial wellness.
The Municipal Manager, Mr Absenia Habile, applauded the GSDM Council together with the administrative leadership for establishing and supporting the employee wellness unit in the institution.
According to the Psychology Society of South Africa, “the objective of Men’s Health Month is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
This month allows healthcare providers, public policymakers, the media, and individuals to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and prompt treatment for disease and injury.”
The NPA, SAPS, Department of Justice, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, financial institutions, and other institutions were some of the stakeholders that participated during the conference.
The GSDM male staff attended in large numbers and participated in all engagements, with the main intention being to ensure wellness for men and a healthy society.
