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01 October 2024 | Story Zinzi Zumana | Photo Supplied
Male Lekgotla 2024
The UFS Annual MaskUnity Men’s Conference 2024.

The University of the Free State (UFS) and its partners recently hosted the second Annual MaskUnity Men's Conference in the Callie Human Centre on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, following the success of the 2023 event. The conference encouraged men to be open about their internal struggles; the primary aim was to address the complicated challenges men face today, including gender-based violence, low uptake of health-care services, substance abuse, HIV/Aids, and mental health issues. The two-day event targeted men from the UFS, Central University of Technology (CUT), Sol Plaatje University (SPU), Walter Sisulu University (WSU), and TVET colleges – Flavius Mareka, Maluti, and Motheo. The goal was to raise awareness and promote positive development through dialogue, education, and behaviour modification.

One of the conference’s key sessions focused on understanding and managing anger – a common yet often misunderstood issue among men. Tobias van den Berg, a counselling psychologist, provided in-depth insights into the psychological and social factors that contributed to anger and offered practical strategies for emotional regulation and constructive expression. This session resonated deeply with many attendees, highlighting the importance of addressing anger in a healthy and proactive manner.

Another crucial topic discussed was loneliness, which is often overlooked in discussions about men’s mental health. Aubrey Moloto, a registered counsellor from SCD Qwaqwa, emphasised the significance of building meaningful relationships and support networks to combat isolation. He underscored the need for men to seek out and cultivate connections that foster a sense of community and belonging.

The conference also featured personal testimonials from attendees, illustrating the profound impact of the discussions. Andile Xhakaza, a student from the UFS, shared how the conference reshaped his understanding of manhood. He expressed a commitment to applying the lessons learned – particularly those related to gender-based violence, responsible manhood, and anger management – in his daily life. Xhakaza’s story reflected the broader impact that the conference aimed to achieve, namely, to foster respect, healthy relationships, and mental well-being among men.

Addressing substance abuse and promoting healthy living

Substance abuse – a critical issue affecting young men – was addressed by Ogaisitse Diseko, who highlighted the negative effects of drug use on both personal health and societal well-being. Diseko’s presentation provided attendees with essential information about the dangers of addiction and offered resources for those seeking help. This session reinforced the importance of making informed, healthier lifestyle choices.

The Honourable Monyatso Mahlatsi, MEC of Health in the Free State, also spoke at the event, advising men to prioritise their health by visiting clinics regularly. He emphasised the importance of overcoming the stigma often associated with seeking health care, urging men to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other health issues.

Promoting safe and respectful relationships

Siyanda Magayana – Senior Officer in the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office – led a crucial discussion on practising safe sex. Magayana stressed the importance of consent, protection, and mutual respect in sexual relationships as foundational elements of both physical health and emotional well-being. This dialogue aimed to empower men to engage in healthier, more respectful relationships.

A call for continued dialogue and wellness programmes

The conference also served as a platform for participants to voice their thoughts on improving future events. Akhumzi Khambula from WSU’s Mthatha Campus suggested the inclusion of more interactive sessions where men could engage in open dialogues. He also advocated for the implementation of more active wellness programmes within universities, encouraging male students to participate as a means of combating loneliness and fostering a supportive environment.

Mental health and stress management

Recognising the critical importance of mental health, the conference dedicated several sessions to stress management and mental well-being. Students were equipped with practical coping strategies to handle stress effectively, emphasising the need to prioritise mental health in the fast-paced environment of higher education. The event concluded with a powerful call to action, urging all attendees to continue striving for self-improvement and active community engagement.

The UFS Annual MaskUnity Men’s Conference 2024 was more than just an event – it was a movement towards redefining manhood in a way that embraces vulnerability, encourages open dialogue, and promotes holistic well-being. As attendee Tshepo Keokoane from CUT properly put it, “It’s okay for a man to cry – it does not symbolise weakness.” This statement captures the conference’s key message: true strength lies in the ability to express emotions, seek help, and support one another in the journey towards becoming better men.

The conference ended on a note of optimism, with participants leaving empowered to make positive changes in their lives and communities. The UFS, alongside its partners, succeeded in creating a space where men could come together, learn, and grow – laying the groundwork for a more empathetic and responsible generation of men.

News Archive

Prestigious Helgaard Steyn Prize to be awarded to UFS composer
2010-11-08

 Hans Huyssen.

The composer Hans Huyssen, affiliated with the Department of Music at the University of the Free State (UFS), is to be the current recipient of the prestigious 2010 Helgaard Steyn Prize, the prize-winning work being Huyssen’s Proteus Variations (2006).Annually this award is administered and presented to a selected composer, painter, author, or sculptor by the Universities of the Free State and the North-West on a rotating basis. The judges for this year’s prize were Prof. Bertha Spies, Research Fellow, North-West University, and Professor Extraordinary, University of Pretoria, and Mr Noel Stockton, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Free State.

Hans Huyssen’s musical activities encompass the diverse poles of early and contemporary Western and African music, often in an attempt to assimilate the essential qualities from all these fields. His intense focus on contextuality suggests that he approaches music as a profoundly social force which has a particular role to play in our ‘new’ diversified South African society.

The Proteus Variations were commissioned by the Deutsche Welle Radio for the South African National Youth Orchestra 2006, and were premiered at the Beethoven Bonn Festival during 2006. These variations are described by the composer as “a musical representation of South Africa’s manifold Proteaceae”, named for the Greek god Proteus who, at will, was capable of assuming a spectrum of shapes and appearances. As the composer states: “It is worth noticing that a Protea is South Africa’s national flower. What could be more appropriate in providing a key to an opposite perception and understanding of the country’s diverse cultural expressions? In this regard it is my hope that the Proteus Variations may contribute a little to the wide scope of cultural responses necessary to begin to do justice to the extremely rich tapestry of our immediate cultural and natural surroundings”.

The prize of R170 000 will be awarded to Hans Huyssen by a representative of ABSA Trust, who is one of the trustees of the Helgaard Steyn Trust, in Bloemfontein on 8 November 2010.

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