by Siyabonga Gema (HST Communications Officer)
Meet Nhlanhla Zuma, Health Systems Trust's (HST) Driver Mobiliser based in uMgungundlovu District, whose main focus and dedication is mobilising men to access health services, and supporting men in building safe and healthy communities across the district. Nhlanhla's work allows him to interact with men from different backgrounds and channel them to health services, while also educating them and equipping them with information on how to lead better lives for the benefit of their communities. We had a chance to engage with him and learn more about his passion for his work.
What is your role at HST and what does it entail?
My role at HST is to mobilise the community, especially men, and support them in accessing men-friendly health services. I was employed as a Driver in 2015, and in 2016 I was allocated to mobilise men to visit our facilities for men- friendly health services. When I started doing this job, I became more involved in community outreach work, and started visiting the Traditional Councils, Operation Sakuma Sakhe War Rooms, District and AIDS Councils, and community meetings. I engage with all the community leaders in order to mobilise men. I plan and organise 'men to men' programmes, including Isibaya Samadoda, the MINA Men's Health campaign, and Ikhosomba Lamajita, where we create a safe space for men and young boys to voice any issues related [to] their health and other social issues that affect them. Furthermore, I maintain a good working relationship between the organisation and community. I also encourage men to come for HIV testing, vital signs checks, TB screening, prostate cancer screening, and medical male circumcision.
Why did you choose this line of work?
I didn't choose this line, it chose me. When I started visiting our facilities to render testing services, I noticed that men chose to come to me for their HIV tests and expressed their preference to be serviced by a male professional. I was already passionate about creating a space where men could feel free enough to engage in health matters, so I initiated the idea of a Men's Corner, where men could receive their services. Since then, I have always been a champion for men-centred services and have been actively involved in programmes designed to empower men.
Tell us about your role within the Men's Sector
I was elected by the Men's Sector to be the District Secretary for uMgungundlovu District, and on 13 June 2024, I was elected to serve as a Resource Mobiliser of the Men's Sector for KwaZulu-Natal Province, representing uMgungundlovu District. This role puts me at the centre of spreading the word to all men of the district: that as men, our health and well-being is in our hands. I am involved in many programmes, including engaging with young boys on health and social ills.
What gives you fulfilment about your role in the men's sector?
By leading the men's sector structure in uMgungundlovu, we have achieved good relationships with Amakhosi, Izinduna and all other leading structures. Using our men-to-men platform, we encourage men to visit our clinics for health issues, and we are extremely happy to see a shift in perspective and a big difference.
Please share your biggest career highlight
I am so passionate about working with men. I have learnt a lot regarding men's health-related issues, and traditional and African cultures. I have also managed to mobilise men to visit our clinics in numbers, which has drastically improved the service rate at our health facilities, in collaboration with other non-governmental organisations that provide men's health services.
How can you encourage men to be good examples to young boys?
Young boys need to know that they are the fathers of tomorrow and they need to stay away from drugs and make sure that they look after their lives. Every father is responsible for raising a boy child, even if that child is not a biological relative but a young man in his community. We must teach what is expected from our young boys until they become men. The African culture believes that fathers must take responsibility for their young boys. If we teach our children and become good examples to them, we will overcome many issues, even the scourge of teenage pregnancy.
What challenges do you encounter in channelling men towards accessing health services?
In our discussions at iSibaya Samadoda, men request to be assisted by men at our facilities, but the challenge is that few men work as Professional Nurses and that's become a challenge to us as men. When men visit our facilities for men's health issues like sexually transmitted infections and other sexual problems, it becomes difficult for men to talk about their problems with female nurses.
What can be done to overcome these challenges?
Let's employ more male nurses, have separate spaces for men in all our facilities, and request mobile clinics for men only that will offer all the health services they need.
For more information on Men's health and other support resources, please contact;
MenStar Coalition: https://www.menstarcoalition.org/
MINA for Health For Men: https://www.minaformenforhealth.co.za/
Coach Mpilo: https://www.coachmpilo.co.za/