WHEN young men return from their initiation into manhood, they often seek support and guidance to navigate this important journey.
Victor Pike, a mentor with Father A Nation (FAN), gathered more than 30 recent initiates at Intlanganiso High School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Saturday, 27 January.
Among other things, the new men who just underwent their initiation were taught about patience, what it means to be a real man and how to treat women and children.
“There's no excuse for you to be a pharaphara (junkie). We are going to create opportunities for you,” said Pike.
The event was also attended by traditional leaders who also advised the young men.
Pike said he was dealing with “broken men” with different challenges and one common problem they face after their return from the mountain is people’s expectations to see a perfect man.
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“It’s a process. You don’t come from the mountain and become a perfect man. What I want to say to you is that we are here to mentor you. I’m dealing with broken wounded men. Some of you are here but your father was not at your umgidi (ceremony held after initiation).
“Some of you last saw your father when you were young, and these things are eating you from the inside. You wanted to see your father at that time you were going to the mountain and when you returned. You needed their presence and support, but they were nowhere to be found,” said Pike.
Sisa Nobanda from Qula Kwedini Youthful Initiatives warned young men to take rejection as men and not to react with violence.
Bongile Ncilashe (21), who attended the event, said he was grateful to have the opportunity to be mentored.
“This is a valuable opportunity to get insights as a young man who just returned from the mountain. The issue of people’s expectations is real. Even when you don’t have a job you are now to provide because you are now a man. I’m glad that they spoke about this issue, and we were given tips on how to handle it,” he said.
