Latest news with #Sandile
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Unsilencing the struggle: men's mental health and the fight against GBVF in South Africa
Sandile Mlangeni is a 2019 GP-based Activator, he is passionate about youth activism. Sandile regards it as important to contribute his views and experiences to recognised entities seeking to develop communities. He started his journey as an activist in 2012 when he started collaborating with community-based organisations in his hometown in Tsakane and Kwa-Thema Ekurhuleni. Kunzima, bafwethu. Being a man in South Africa means carrying silent battles, pressures to provide financially to your family, expectations to remain strong, and we're told to bury even our deepest pains. We were taught to 'man up, not to open up!' And so, we bottle things in '(sifela ngaphakathi),' a usual setting among men. The statistics are grim: men account for the vast majority of suicides in South Africa, a stark reflection of a mental health crisis festering in silence. As men, we don't talk because we're scared of being judged. We don't seek help because we're afraid of looking weak. This silence isn't just killing men it's fuelling the epidemic of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). It's time to challenge this narrative and redefine strength as vulnerability, because every man's life matters, and so does every woman and children's safety associated with men who are emotionally wounded. South Africa faces a suicide crisis disproportionately claims men. According to The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) estimates a suicide rate of 11.5 per 100 000 people in 2020/21, with men making up 75% of cases. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reports 23 known suicides daily, with men consistently making up three-quarters of these deaths, based on data from 2019. For every suicide, ten others have attempted it, pointing to widespread untreated mental distress. Men are five times more likely to die by suicide than women globally, and in South Africa, this gap is even wider. Behind these numbers are stories of despair: 9.7% of South Africans 4.5 million people experience depression in their lifetime, and 70% of those who attempt suicide have a mental health condition. A 2020 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted that 75% of those with mental illnesses lack access to adequate care, constrained by an underfunded health system, and a culture that stigmatises weakness. Poverty, unemployment, and violence hallmarks of South Africa's socio-economic landscape deepen this crisis. With a Gini coefficient of 63.0, in 2020 the World Bank reported that South Africa is the world's most unequal society, with economic hardship driving suicide risk, particularly for men expected to be providers in their families. The 2024 unemployment rate of 32.9%, as indicated by Stats-SA intensifies this pressure, especially in urban areas where financial instability is severe. Continuous traumatic stress from living in high crime areas or witnessing violence further erodes mental resilience, leaving men feeling trapped and hopeless. According to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the silent struggles of men are inseparable from South Africa's GBVF crisis. The country has one of the highest femicide rates globally, with 5.5 women killed per 100 000 by intimate partners in 2020/21. Three women die daily at the hands of someone close to them, and 60% of femicides are committed by intimate partners. Unchecked mental health issues can escalate into violence, with a 2008 study revealing that 19.4% of intimate femicide perpetrators in South Africa died by suicide within a week of the murder. Legal gun ownership, often tied to notions of masculine control, significantly increases this risk. Are patriarchal norms the root of these crises? South Africa's culture equates masculinity with dominance, leaving men unable to process emotions healthily. A 2019 study in Culture, Health and Sexuality noted that practices like lobola, while they are culturally significant, can blind notions of consent, reinforcing ideas of ownership over women. Men need to be re-educated that, they don't have ownership over their wives and they cannot claim them as their property, marriage is an agreement between two people who decided to build their lives together, and start a family. Patriarchy is a double-edged sword, it demands that men must be confident, in control, must have money, and unyielding, yet punishes vulnerability. 'The 'macho male stereotype' expects men to 'man up' and adopt the 'boys don't cry' mentality,' says Dr. Talatala of the South African Society of Psychiatrists. This stigma drives men to suffer in silence, particularly in African contexts where stoicism is a cultural cornerstone. The legacy of apartheid adds another layer. A 2017 study by SAMRC noted historical disenfranchisement and systemic racism have left lasting mental health disparities, with white males overrepresented in suicide statistics due to access to lethal means like firearms. Meanwhile, Black men face unique pressures from intergenerational trauma and economic marginalisation, often without the resources to cope. As a new generation of men, we must rewrite this narrative. Real strength lies in vulnerability in reaching out and asking for help, in saying, 'I'm not okay.' By addressing men's mental health head on, we can dismantle the toxic norms that fuel despair and GBVF. Here's how: Expand Mental Health Access : Integrating mental health services into primary care is cost effective and scalable. Community based programs in low-income areas can reach men where they are, breaking cycles of untreated illness. Organisations like SADAG (0800 567 567) and LifeLine (0861-322-322) offer free counseling and should be amplified. Normalise Help Seeking : Public campaigns can shift perceptions, showing that vulnerability is strength. Social media, radio, and community events can share stories of men who sought help, inspiring others to follow suit. Decriminalising attempted suicide, as advocated by the Southern Africa Litigation Centre, would further reduce stigma. Address Root Causes : Implement policies tackling poverty, unemployment, and gender inequality, as highlighted in the 2020 National Strategic Plan on GBVF. Economic empowerment programs for men can alleviate the pressure to provide, while gender equality initiatives can challenge patriarchal norms. Join the movement. Share your story, support a friend, or reach out for professional help. The silent struggles of men are a crisis we can no longer ignore. If you're reading this and going through the most, you don't have to be alone. Talk. Cry. Pray. Reach out to someone, it could be a friend, a colleague or a pastor. You matter. By breaking the silence, we save not only men's lives but also the families affected by the ripple effects of untreated pain. Let's redefine strength, one conversation at a time, and build a future where no one suffers in silence. This is also a collective fight for men to heal, for women to be safe, and for South Africa to thrive. *Sandile Mlangeni is a 2019 GP-based Activator, he is passionate about youth activism. Sandile regards it as important to contribute his views and experiences to recognised entities seeking to develop communities. He started his journey as an activist in 2012 when he started collaborating with community-based organisations in his hometown in Tsakane and Kwa-Thema Ekurhuleni.
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- General
- TimesLIVE
How atchar became African
I recently stumbled on a fascinating phenomenon: Most black South Africans call what I, a South African of Indian heritage, know as mango pickle, 'mango atchar'. Though 'atchar' has its roots in India, the condiment is seen as African in SA. 'It's up there with pap, mogodu, and dombolo,' said chef Sanza Sandile of Yeoville Dinner Club. About its popularity, he said: 'It must have been its accessibility first, then the taste introduction to spicy food, then its shelf life that have led to its iconic status. It's a black staple. Atchar is a local word. Pickle is English.' I did a quick survey on Instagram, asking my followers whether they used the word 'pickle' or 'atchar' to describe the beloved spicy preserve. I also asked friends from different backgrounds. What I discovered is that all my Muslim Indian friends call it atchar and all the non-Muslim Indians call it pickle. All the black, coloured, Muslim, and white South Africans who responded also call it atchar. Most people in Durban call it pickle. Most in Gauteng, Cape Town and the rest of SA call it atchar. In India, friends are also split between atchar, pickle and other names. To explain the phenomenon, it's necessary to understand that, while most Indians in SA speak only English, historically we would have spoken a variety of languages, as our ancestors came from different places. We have different stories about our arrival in SA. Over the past 370 years, some arrived as slaves (whose descendants are now white, black, coloured or Muslim) and some as indentured labourers who worked on sugar cane plantations in KwaZulu-Natal (my people). Others were merchants/traders who opened shops around the same time or later and, most recently, since the 1990s some have arrived as businesspeople. Atchar is the word for pickle in Hindi and Urdu. Urdu is a dialect of Hindi and a language associated with many Muslims here, and is spoken in India and Pakistan. My ancestors spoke Tamil and Telegu, like many of the other SA Indians of indentured ancestry. There were also indentured Hindi speakers. Hindi is to India (and Urdu to Pakistan) what Zulu is to SA. Tamil is the equivalent of Sesotho and Telegu is probably the equivalent of Setswana. Originally, the word atchar is believed to have been Persian and Sanskrit. These languages were very similar, dating back thousands of years, like the tradition of preserving food through different pickling methods. It is highly likely the word and concept of 'atchar' in SA was spread by Muslim and/or Hindi-speaking Indians selling prepared atchar or the spices to make atchar in places that had mangoes, fruit and vegetables growing abundantly. 'People buy the spices and mix it with their favourite ingredients and resell it. The name must have come from the South African Indians who sold it,' was Sandile's guess too. It has become its own thing, with people all over the country running successful atchar businesses. You could probably do an atchar tour around SA and find many delicious recipes. It is a beloved condiment everywhere from Limpopo to Gauteng and a popular ingredient in the kota, a quarter-loaf of bread stuffed with fillings such as chips, polony and cheese. It can also be eaten with amagwinya (vetkoek). Atchar has become so integrated in black cuisine that many people I spoke to were surprised that its origins are Indian. Though I never grew up using the word atchar, I knew it was an Indian word for pickle, as I would see it on the bottles of my favourite preserves. My chef friend in Mumbai, Raffael Kably, said: 'Though there are so many different languages, atchar is the universal word used in India.' From India to SA, there seems to be many ways to say it and even more ways to make it. Mango atchar, or mango pickle (and all the other varieties) are South African. And South African food is a perfect metaphor to understand how far we have come from our once-segregated society, forced into separate development but clearly cross-pollinating each other's cultures and cuisines. SEVEN-INGREDIENT SA MANGO ATCHAR Ingredients 4 cups hard green mangoes, sliced 4 tbsp mustard seeds 4 tbsp atchar/pickle masala 2 tbsp salt 4 tbsp red chilli powder 4 tbsp white vinegar Vegetable oil Method Lay the sliced mangoes on a tray and leave in the sun for a week, or dry them on low heat in an oven for 5 to 6 hours. Place mangoes in a container, add vinegar and leave for three hours. Combine masala, mustard seeds, salt, chilli powder and half a cup of oil. Transfer atchar to clean glass containers or plastic tubs. Pour in enough oil to cover the atchar. Leave in a cool place for a week. Every few days, stir the atchar gently to mix in the oil. Enjoy with amagwinya, curry and rice, or your favourite meal.
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
How Sandile Turns Grit Into Purpose
There are moments in sports that are impossible to quantify. These moments manifest as inner triumphs driven by determination, resilience, and a strong desire to succeed, rather than being measured by time records or race outcomes. One such occasion for Sandile Mkhize is the Wings for Life World Run. Initially a personal test, the Wings for Life World Run has transformed into a worldwide event with no definitive endpoint, symbolising a commitment to a cause. Sandile, renowned for his unwavering positivity, sharp mind, and relentless determination, offers a grounded yet inspiring outlook from his wheelchair. Before the 2025 race, we spoke with him about mindset, preparation, and the deeper significance of each push forward. Sandile, you've described the Wings for Life World Run as a powerful turning point in your life. What does your physical preparation look like in the weeks leading up to the run? I've been prioritising my mental health and mobility lately, so I've been stretching a lot more and spending time pushing myself on the track rather than going to the gym like I normally do. I have been enjoying that a lot. Mental resilience has been such a strong theme in your story. How do you mentally prepare for a challenge like the Wings for Life World Run? I am fortunate to have done the race before, so I draw on that experience. As hard as it will be, as I will be pushing myself to the limits, I will simply tell myself that I have done this before, I achieved this goal before, and nothing is stopping me from doing it again. Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines—music, meditation, or mantras — that help you lock in your focus before the start? I have two routines; I spend a little bit of time meditating before the race when I have alone time, and the other is simply greeting and giving out as many high-fives as I can to people at the start of the race. That gives me so much energy, and it is a way for me to acknowledge and thank people for participating. How do you adapt your training to ensure your upper body stays strong, especially since your wheelchair is your engine during the race? As I mentioned this year, I am doing a lot more pushing in my chair on a track, rather than weight training, because overall, I want to improve my endurance rather than my strength. Has your approach to fitness changed over the years, especially now that you're running for a cause bigger than yourself? My approach to fitness has been very consistent. However, I place a lot more emphasis on holistic training now, rather than having either strength or aesthetic goals. The idea now is to live well and to enjoy my body, and that means I need to take care of its needs. What role do community, friends, family, and fellow participants play in your preparation and motivation for race day? The people around you and the people that you love will always amplify anything that you are trying to do in life. The race always allows me to spend time with the people that I love, and they always give me that extra push when my arms feel like they cannot push anymore. How do you manage your energy and pacing during the run, especially knowing there's no set finish line and the Catcher Car is always in pursuit? Honestly, I do not have a plan to manage energy, even though I should. My only goal is just to keep moving. However, I have noticed that over the years, when people do see me struggling, people do offer to push me as the race continues, which is amazing, and it's always nice to meet new people on the run. For someone who may be nervous about participating for the first time, especially in a wheelchair, what advice would you give to help them prepare physically and emotionally? I would say that it is okay to be nervous, and no one is fully prepared for anything when it comes to this race. The only thing you need to do is show up. And because of its adaptive nature, anybody can participate. So, you don't have to feel that you are physically unprepared. Emotionally, I would say it is one of the best things one can do for themselves, because you will be meeting amazing people and people who have similar struggles to you, which is always a good thing. Do you think moments like Wings for Life help shift the perception of disability in society, and how do you personally contribute to that shift through your participation? I think it shifts perspective because it is a constant reminder to people who may not be exposed to people with disabilities that there is more than one way to be human. Once you experience different kinds of people, it allows you to be empathetic and to be part of the solution, rather than the problem, when it comes to overcoming obstacles people may face. You've said, 'Wherever you think your possibilities stop, you're wrong.' What does pushing those boundaries look like for you in 2025 and beyond? Moving forward, I will be a lot more active in my community while upskilling in some of my technical work. Eventually, I would like to train people with disabilities to acquire tech skills to secure good jobs and careers. Sandile is carrying more than just the strength he has developed on the track as he prepares for another Wings for Life World Run; he is carrying a movement, a message, and a mission. He challenges preconceptions, motivates action, and demonstrates that boundaries — physical or otherwise — are only as real as we let them be with each wheel push. "Wherever you think your possibilities stop, you're wrong," he said. And as he confidently enters 2025, it's evident that Sandile is bringing about change rather than merely pursuing it.
