Gillette South Africa are celebrating the contribution single mothers and other motherly figures have made towards the next generation of men in SA.
South Africa – In South Africa, two out of three children are raised without their father present*, so many never have the opportunity to get fatherly advice or learn from a male role model. Many children are raised by either their mother, grandmother, aunt or a combination of the female figures.
In celebration of Women’s Day, Gillette South Africa created a film that tells the story of Gogo Nozizwe, who raised her grandson Akhona all by herself. The film pays tribute to the many other South African women just like Gogo Nozizwe, who are raising a new generation of men.
She spoke of how when he started to turn into a young man, it became difficult as she didn’t have the answers to all his questions. How he needed a father figure to help him through the moments where she could not. Through it all though, Gogo Nozizwe was thankful for the kind of man her grandson became.
During his Women’s Day speech this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said,
“One of our countries greatest tragedies, is that far too many children grow up without their fathers. I have seen the beautiful Women’s Day tribute to Gogo Nozizwe that is trending on social media, and I found it quite moving. Hers is a story of millions of our hardworking mothers and grandmothers who raise children alone and with great hardship. As men, let us step up and become better fathers to our children and play an active role in their lives.”
Mosala Phillips, Brand Director of Procter and Gamble (P&G) South Africa was overjoyed that the president had acknowledged their campaign to empower young men and honour the women who have raised them.
“We are extremely appreciative. Our President has not only acknowledged that our tribute to Gogo Nozizwe celebrates South African women raising the next generation of men, he also rallied behind Gillette’s call for more to be done. Donations have already been made to our partner at The Character Company, and we’d like to call on Mzanzi to continue with their support by watching the #Gogo Nozizwe tribute and donating or volunteering their time.”
To address the societal issue of boys growing up without fathers, Gillette partnered with The Character Company – a non-profit, volunteer-run organisation. The Character Company’s mission is to help raise boys to be good men with strong values, positively impacting families, communities and society, through a long-term MENtorship program.
The Character Company take boys who lack male role models and help to raise them into well-rounded men. The charity has weekly activities, weekend activities, camps throughout the year, they offer a support structure for single mothers, advocate for the better treatment of women and children and run a long term mentorship program for young boys with absent fathers.
The #GogoNozizwe campaign and the partnership with The Character Company form part of Gillette’s global commitment to support organisations that help boys and men be the best they can be. Here’s how you can join Gillette in helping to shape the next generation of South African men:
- Watch and share the video – and recognise the women in your life this Women’s Month.
- Donate to this worthy cause that helps to create a supportive environment for mothers, and shape the next generation of men
- Volunteer your time to MENtor the young boys from The Character Company
Watch the video below:
by 