MR.SA 2008 Finalist Helgard Marais: IMBIZO - Men's Wellness Centre

From the left; Andrew Matseoane Helgard join the Soweto men in pre-valentines

(Community Immobiliser), Thomas Mogale counseling and sexual education.

(IMBIZO Coordinator), Mr. SA Finalist Helgard Marais,

Thabo Phuti (Community Immobiliser)

As a finalist for Mr. SA 2008, I felt that it was appropriate not only to support the sickly and young, but also to provide my support in the care of adults and their health related issues in particular men. Talking to other men openly, demonstrated that if adult role models such as a potential Mr SA like myself are willing to talk about important issues such as male health it creates an environment where other men feel more comfortable to talk about their own health issues.

Imbizo Men's Health Project is a centre where men can go to obtain information that is factually correct about sexuality, HIV/AIDS, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s). This centre does not only look at issues of health and nutrition but also exmbraces fatherhood, communication between partners, depression, anxiety and stress.

Imbizo services are free and visits are kept private and confidential. The males who visit this centre engage with trained male staff who are best suited to understand their needs. Our society has made us [men] out to be superior. This is fundamentally a misconception and especially dangerous as this philosophy is passed on from one generation to the next, forgetting that men can be hurt just as badly emotionally as women and that they too are prone to illnesses.

This is also the primary reason why Imbizo Men's Health Project strives to give a holistic approach to health. It not only offers Voluntary Testing and Counseling (VTC) done by a registered male nurses but also offers monthly workshops around fatherhood and being a better partner.

The drop-in centers are not clinics. They ensure that men get the health information they need and also facilitate easier access to clinics and other health facilities. This is done via referral networks with other relevant organisations. This centre has been exceptionally well supported, however perhaps what is important is not the numbers that are visiting the centers, but that here a haven is given to those whom society has unfairly regarded as invulnerable.