Mamelodi men break silence at first Men’s Circle

Mamelodi men aged 30 to 35 gathered to speak openly about unemployment, mental health, abuse, and social pressures.

The group attended the first-ever Men’s Circle initiative at Ko Legiza Garden Care in Mamelodi East on Saturday.

Thabo Phetla, the Men’s Circle facilitator, described the initiative as a powerful break from the culture of silence.

The gathering was convened under the theme ‘The weight we don’t talk about, strong but hurting’.

“Society gives women spaces to talk, but tells men to be strong even when we are breaking,” said Phetla.

Phetla said men are struggling with unemployment, fatherhood pressure, relationships, depression, and financial stress.

He said men carry a heavy weight alone, and “it is killing us through suicide, anger, and alcohol”.

“The main aim of Men’s Circle is to create a safe, respectful, non-judgemental space where a man can say, ‘I am not okay’ without being seen as weak.”

Young men, fathers, husbands, professionals, entrepreneurs, and unemployed men attended with one goal: to be heard.

Among them was Reverend Barney Masekwameng, who attended not as a guest speaker but as a brother and part of the circle, sitting equally among the men.

Phetla said the event was a success as attendees were able to share their challenges without fear.

He added that one of the attendees said: “I came heavy, I left lighter. For the first time I spoke about something I have never told anyone, and no one judged me”.

“We started as strangers, we left as brothers.

“The energy was respectful, masculine, and healing. It proved that men do talk when given a safe space,” said Phetla.

Phetla confirmed that this was the first of many Men’s Circles to come.

He said: “To every brother who came, we honour you. To those who missed it, we saved your seat.”

Phetla concluded that there is still a lot that needs to be done.

For information on the next Men’s Circle, contact facilitator Thabo Phetla on 073 653 5141.

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