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In this episode, I speak former 6x boxing champ Cassius Hitman Baloyi about his glory days in the ring. The name named after Muhammad Ali by his father after the classic, Rumble in Jumgle fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali shares stories of his upbringing in Manamulele, Limpopo in South Africa. We talk about his father's influence on his life, the passing of his mother and struggles of growing up with her sister.
We talk about the many setbacks he endured during and after his fighting career and how believing in God and being faithful are the reasons he rose to the level of world champion and lives a happy life surrounded by caring friends who cook for him and he can reach out to in times of need. He talks about the difficulty of not being with his two daughters after his wife left him and some financial irregularities with Boxing South Africa,  

Cassius also talks about how running, training people and punching a bag in the gym helps him copes with the loneliness of living lonely.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and share. Peace and Love.

Connect:

Boxing Classes 
Cassius Baloyi Boxing Academy - 147 Webber Street, Sandown, Sandton.

Socials:

Facebook: Cassius "The Hitman" Baloyi 

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
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In this episode, I speak with artist extraordinaire Batsile "BOY Wonder" Ramasodi on his artistic path and growth as a man.
We talk about growing up in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, and how he pursued his creative talents and developed them into numerous careers. As a father of four, we also discuss his perspectives on fatherhood. and the complexities of co-parenting.

Batsile also discusses the impact of shifting social attitudes on boys and reflects on the void left by his father's passing on. We close by exploring his mental health, experiencing with impostor syndrome, writing for his recent album Omega, and some thoughts about what guys could try for themselves to be well.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and share. Peace and Love.

Connect:

Website:

www.boywonder.co.za

Socials:

Insta: @B.O.YWonder
Facebook: Batsile Ramasodi 

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

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Sign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on [email protected].

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Shoutout to you if you're joining us for the first time, and thank you for coming back to listen; your support is greatly appreciated.

In this episode we expand on a conversation we had with Tshegofatso Sephula on a mental health awareness campaign we did with John Craig to discuss some highlights from his book, Mental Decay.
Tshegofatso talks about identity issues, navigating family dynamics with mental health challenges, the inspiration behind sharing his story and letting go of expectations. We also talk about the impact of family secrets and his openly honest relationship with his mother and details meeting his father for the first time which led to him accepting that he can no longer make excuses for his absent father. 

Tshegofatso Sephula is the author of Mental Decay, a true story of a hidden battle and a life nearly lost. After a decade of failure and a suicide attempt, he feels the pull of God, and with it the chance to finally find peace, purpose and redemption.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and share. Peace and Love.

Connect:

Buy on Amazon: Mental Decay

Instagram: @TshegofatsoTiyani

Related Episodes:

SAFMH - Ready to share my story

John Craig - Mind Matter Series:

EP1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVTioqU4M2Q&t=1838s

EP2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFERWd1hK2o&t=138s

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

Support the show

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Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer Awareness

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Shoutout to you if you're joining us for the first time, and thank you for coming back to listen; your support is greatly appreciated.  

We've covered many conversations over the last three years, while going through some books, research and conversations with friends and listening to the online community, I've been reflecting on the idea of male privilege or to be more specific, black male privilege. 

I know this is an extremely contentious topic in the gender discourse but I want to offer an alternative argument against black male privilege leveraging the work of Dr Tommy J Curry and some research from South African gender experts to show some similarity in the lived experiences of black men in the United States of America and South Africa based on colonization and apartheid and Jim Crow laws in the respective countries.  

The idea is not to defend privilege, but this episode questions our idea of privilege and share some insights on what I believe (and other researchers have shown) is a fundemental problem with how we perceive the distribution of power and privilege among men.   

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

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I was intrigued by an article shared by Ground Up and the Daily Maverick titled, “Battered woman syndrome”: law to be challenged." The Centre for Applied Legal Studies has laid out a strong argument for women who kill in self defence arguing that the courts don't empathise or consider the psychological effects of abuse when sentencing "battered women."    

CALS argued that “This case demonstrates that the current approach of providing courts with wide unfettered discretion when considering mitigation in relation to women who kill their intimate partners as a result of prolonged violence is insufficient in dealing with femicide in this country.”

I realized that there was no mention of men or the "battered man syndrome" exepct the abusive husband but I was not surprised considering the prevailing narrative around men and reality of many women in South Africa.

In this short episode, I question whether this attempt to justify the husband's killing as self defence adds to the gender empathy gap men experience in the legal system? 

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and share. Peace and Love.

Support the show

Sign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on [email protected].

Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer Awareness

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Substack: Manned Up Conversations Writes
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Send us a text

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

Support the show

Sign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on [email protected].

Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer Awareness

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Shoutout to you if you're joining us for the first time, and thank you for coming back to listen; your support is greatly appreciated.

We talk about men's coping mechanisms and how seeking help—or not—can lead to mental health issues and suicidal thoughts in this courageous interview with Leon De Beer, the deputy director of the South African Federation of Mental Health. After his divorce, Leon experienced suicide ideation. By sharing his story, he emphasizes the value of reaching out and surrounding yourself with people who can support and understand you during difficult times. We additionally acknowledge the courage required to speak up in the face of adversity and the negative effects of substance abuse on our health. We also speak about generational trauma and the impact of apartheid and close off by sharing details of where men can go for help.     

Leon De Beer's work is underpinned by a deep passion for human rights. He holds an Honours Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Policy and Development.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and share. Peace and Love.

Reach out to the South African Federation of Mental Health:

Website: South African Federation for Mental Health
Facebook: SA Mental Health
Twitter (X): @safmh
LinkedIn: SA Federation for Mental Health
Instagram: SAFMH South Africa

Other links and books mentioned in the conversation:

BIG BOYS DO IN FACT ALSO CRY: MEN AND SUICIDE

Cultural Silence Wounded Souls with Mark Tuggle

Understanding Male Psychology with Angelo De Boni

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

Support the show

Sign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on [email protected].

Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer Awareness

Follow us & share you comments on our work:

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In this exciting talk with the quantum leaping physicist, we discuss knowing thyself from several of viewpoints, including history, education, and tools to aid you on your own journey. We also discuss some challenging issues regarding the representation of African culture and its impact on identity. Met_a_morphosis also discusses how he balances his four careers while giving back to underserved communities through mathematics education and public speaking coaching.

Thando Motumi aka Met_A_Morphosis is an artist, writer, scientist and educator.
Using fusions of visual art, philosophy and science he weaves tales that delve deep into the intricacies of the mind. Showcasing a medley of poetry, images and music.
Met_A_Morphosis will take you on a journey through the realm of abstract art, consciousness and notions of self. He delivers intricate freestyles with a conscious flow.
Based in Pretoria, South Africa he has performed at festivals, delivered showcases at the Jhb theatre and won multiple awards. With an extensive repertoire his style is one which brings remnants to the early years of Hip Hop.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and share. Peace and Love.

Connect with Met_a_morphosis:

https://linktr.ee/met_a_morphosis

Other links and books mentioned in the conversation:

YFM #Unlockedchats: Met_a_morphosis
They Came Before Columbus
Adams Calendar
Pedagogy of The Oppressed

Support the Show.

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

Support the show

Sign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on [email protected].

Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer Awareness

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Substack: Manned Up Conversations Writes
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Thanks for listening if you are joining for the first time, hope you enjoy the conversation and peace and love to you for coming back to listen.

Although the term "safe spaces" is frequently used in casual conversations, what does it actually mean?  We explore the impportance and quality of conversations held in such spaces and highlight some essential elements of designing safe spaces, we then question if our own and others efforts in reaching and working with men are effective in addressing their issues. Dr Vuyo also shares some interesting tools he recommends as alternative ways to provide men's services in spaces that they are already familiar with.
 
Dr Vuyo Yokwe is a medical doctor and a Mens mental health advocate. Dr Yokwe hopes to increase awareness of mental health issues and to decrease mental health stigma related to men. Dr Yokwe started a community called Man Vitality Conversation to talk frankly about men's mental health matters.

Be sure to subscribe and share if you enjoy the conversation.

Connect with Dr Vuyo Yokwe:

Instagram:@drvuyo_manvitality
Twitter: @VuyoYokwe
Facebook: Dr Vuyo Yokwe

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube.

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 

Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

Support the show

Sign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on [email protected].

Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer Awareness

Follow us & share you comments on our work:

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Thanks for listening if you are joining for the first time, hope you enjoy the conversation and peace and love to you for coming back to listen.

Many males avoid using the word patriarchy because they perceive it as an attack on their gender. Some activists have even asserted that men of African origin are not entitled to privilege or patriarchy. Despite this, many people are still unaware of the influence of patriarchal structures. During a conference in November 2023, my guest Kneo Mokgopa gave a fascinating presentation titled "Protecting Your Critical Thinking From Patriarchy." The presentation discussed how patriarchal thinking prevents men from fully experiencing their humanity, putting us in boxes and creating conflicting notions of what is possible for us as men in a society that is constantly changing. We dissect this and examine the ways in which families, schools, and even the way we phrase certain arguments in social interactions uphold patriarchy.
 
 Kneo Mokgopa (they/he), LLB. is the Narrative Development Manager at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Kneo holds a law degree from the University of Cape Town and is a Thought Fellow at the Centre for Creative & Critical Thought at the University of Stellenbosch. Kneo serves on Section 11 Committee on the National Question and Anti-Racism, hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission, and they are a widely published writer with a regular column in the Daily Maverick, titled Unthere where they explore the nature of the boundaries between human and object in post-Apartheid South Africa.

Be sure to subscribe and share if you enjoy the conversation.

 Connect with Kneo Mokgopa:

Instagram: @Bloody_kneo

Listen to Freedom After Podcast

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.

Support the show

Sign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on [email protected].

Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer Awareness

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Substack: Manned Up Conversations Writes
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