Introduction

Growing up, a boy was taught how to hunt and kill because a man must provide for his family. One day, while walking in a grim, depressing forest looking for his grandfather’s lost cow, he remembers that: “Indoda indoda ngezinkomo zayo”, meaning that a man is a man with the number of cows he has. He remembers thinking how bizarre it was that we should be taught such a thing. This reflection invites a discussion on how traditional gender roles, shaped by cultural norms, can be reevaluated through the lens of feminism to promote equality and challenge outdated beliefs.

Culture and Ideologies preventing feminism 

However, growing up in a family dominated by men taught me a lot about masculinity and what is expected of young men. The unwritten norms include ‘be tough’ and ‘be hard’ and use force, if necessary (“Indoda ayihlulwa ilutho”), meaning a man does not fail. Mentally, he added these prescriptions to those that he had previously learned at school and on playgrounds; phrases such as ‘boys don’t weep’, don’t be weak’, and ‘don’t act like a woman’. Black men and young boys continue to be shaped by these irrational gender notions, particularly in rural areas and among the elite. A man is typically the head of the household in most black cultures, but given the century and the state of the economy, a man cannot survive in this day and age without the backing of a strong feminine structure. Not only does feminism aim to elevate women’s status in society, but it also liberates men from beliefs and ideologies that have shackled them and kept them behind.

Why Black Men Need Feminism?

A look at high-profile suicides among male celebrities such as Riky Rick and Patrick Shai reveals a national problem. According to the World Health Organization, there were 13,774 suicides recorded in South Africa in 2019. Men accounted for 10,861 of these deaths. Although most women are diagnosed with depression and anxiety in South Africa, men are the ones who show significant signs of depression and anxiety through heavy drinking, violence, and suicide cases. So, feminism may promote a move toward more cooperative and egalitarian relationships and friendships, more sharing of care and labour duties, and efforts to minimize organised and individual violence.

Why is Feminism Necessary for Males in South Africa? 

There is a great deal of economic and gender disparity in South Africa. Everyone in South Africa needs to get involved in improving the economy to solve it, and the country has done a great job of embracing feminism thus far. Black men need to adopt feminism and modify their views to share responsibilities with their spouses and spend equal amounts of time with their families, therefore reducing the stigma associated with being absent fathers. 

Conclusion

The lesson that we have learnt here is that despite being raised in both periods when feminism and masculinity were valued differently, there is always a feminine energy source underneath every outstanding man. Black men need to embrace feminism and take part in efforts to protect and empower women to eradicate the stigmas associated with absent dads. After all, we need one another for our country to progress. 

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