These are among the questions that will be explored when Nelson Mandela University’s Student Governance and Development Department hosts the Ebuhlanti/The Kraal Men’s Regional Symposium on Friday, 25 September 2026.
The Symposium brings together young men, academics, community leaders and professionals from across the Eastern Cape.
Held under the theme “African Men Rising: Men of Substance, Purpose and Integrity”, the symposium comes as South Africa continues to grapple with gender-based violence and difficult questions about masculinity, relationships, accountability and the role of men in society.
Rather than focusing on the challenges facing men, the symposium aims to create space for young men to reflect on who they are becoming – and on how integrity, purpose, wellbeing and responsible leadership can translate into everyday behaviour.
Among the topics on the programme are:
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African masculinity, heritage and identity -
Men’s health and wellbeing -
Dignity, integrity and responsible manhood -
Political awareness, social justice and transformation -
Men’s mental health -
Gender-based violence, law and the male experience
A panel discussion titled “Behind the Statistics: Law, Gender-Based Violence, and the Male Experience” will provide a dedicated space to examine the relationship between men, GBV and the law.
Delegates to the Symposium are expected from Rhodes University, the University of Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu University and East Cape Midlands TVET, with participation also from Mandela University students and representatives from government, civil society and the community.
news.mandela.ac.za
news.mandela.ac.za
