What initially started as a men’s organization ended up being an organization that helps empower both genders and children of Soshanguve. The Non-Profit Organization (NPO), AkaSosha has become the pillar of the community.
Mr Thomas Khumalo, the founder of AkaSosha Men’s Forum, said when the organization established in 2005 the plan was to empower men of Soshanguve because men are perceived as strong beings.
“As time went on I discovered that both men and women faced many challenges and as a person who wanted to see change, I then decided to do something to see change,” he said.
Evelyn Rabalao (41), a resident of Soshanguve Block GG where AkaSosha is based, said before she knew about AkaSosha, her life was a complete mess.
”I was emotionally abused by the father of my son and received counselling from AkaSosha,” she said.
“The father of my so did not want to do right by our son. AkaSosha helped with counselling me and the father of my son. They sat down with him and explained to him about the importance of a father in a child’s life. From then onwards, I started seeing change in him as he started doing right by me and my son” Ms Rabalao said.
AkaSosha Social Worker, Lutendo Munyai, said the organization encounter problems when the men do not want to open up about the challenges they face.
“Mostly older men and women use the services of the. “The youth is shy to come to our offices programs such as door-to-door, host events that involves the youth and create drama plays for them open up before they see suicide as a last resort.
“The NPO has grown by leaps and bounds but we still face financial challenges and we would like the community to help us any way,” she said.
