By Ntsikelelo Colossa

I am the man I am today because of positive women.

I grew up receiving advice about life and love from women to women who prepared me for school and for my place in the community. I am Ntsikelelo Colossa, an advocate for positive masculinity: not only to encourage good male role models, but also to promote an understanding of equality and the importance of a peaceful land free from gender-based violence and femicide. I speak out against toxic behaviours that promote abuse in any form.

I am a father, a husband, and an uncle, as well as a traditional healer and a prophet.

Ninety-seven percent of the teachers who have shaped my life, from school until today, have been women. At home, I listen to my wife, and I encourage men to listen to their wives because there is true happiness there, rather than in listening to friends who may mislead you.

In Africa, we respect and honour women. Let us stand up and protect them. Our mothers raised us while our fathers were in the streets of Johannesburg claiming to fight for change, but some of them created foundations of hatred and abuse instead. During these 16 Days of Activism, I stand as a proud father. My father passed away a different person from the one who raised us, and I am grateful that we found peace because I stood up and spoke out. I am proud to say that there is far more peace when you are a positive father because you understand that life is not perfect, but loving and appreciating one another matters.