Swaneville Men’s Forum Marks 3rd Anniversary Celebration with Awards, Inspiration and Community Service

Thabo Motlhabi

Swaneville Mens Forum celebrated its 3rd anniversary in style on Friday, 17 July 2026, held at Jesus is Alive Christian Centre, bringing together community members, leaders, partners and stakeholders for an inspiring day of recognition, empowerment and hope.

The event celebrated three years of the forum’s commitment to building stronger men, empowering young boys, and creating a safer and more united society. The highlight of the celebration was an awards ceremony honouring community leaders, organisations, and individuals whose dedication continues to make a positive impact in the community.

The celebration was supported by well-known guest speakers and various stakeholders whose partnership helped make the event a success:

* Sisonke Development Projects

*Young Minds Entertainment

* Gauteng Department of Social Development Men’s Forum

* Department of Communications

* Dr Zed

* Dr Ndebele

* Eric Ndebele Clinic Wellness

* Lifeline

* CPA NPO

* Thlalifang NPO

* Iterative Development Projects

* Ntokozweni Home-Based Care

* Mthopelo the Poet

* Bakone Home-Based Care

* Westview Clinic

* Office of Ward 35 Councillor

As the guest speaker, Dr Zukisani Mxoli (Dr Zed) urged attendees to overcome life’s challenges and concentrate on opportunities instead of setbacks. He addressed topics such as family, education, investments, and the importance of giving back to the community. He shared his personal journey to inspire others:

“See positively in the midst of negativity; those words should resonate.” I grew up without a father. I grew up in the terrible state. My father was not there. Do you see the negativity? But can you see the positivity in there? I grew up. As you’re complaining, you are speaking positively, but your mind is set on negativity, and I grew up without a father. You want us to see the absence of your father, mistakenly missing the presence of the fact that you grew up; you grew up. Don’t miss the fact that God took your mother and turned her into a mother and father and made them your parents. Oh, here is what we are missing: we are looking at the absence and complaining about it and missing the presence. We miss the presence; we are here; we are in the present.”

His message resonated with many of the attendees, who applauded his call for resilience, personal growth, and community responsibility.

The forum’s anniversary also served as a platform to encourage men to support each other, engage in meaningful connections and reclaim their role as positive models within families and broader communities.

As GreenWorld Consultant, Mr Khulani Ncube praised the initiative, saying the gathering created an opportunity for men, women, and youth to discuss solutions to challenges facing their community.

“It’s very important because through this event, everyone can come, men, women and young people, to discuss things that can build this community. Our youth have lost hope; that’s why they are involved in social ills, misdeeds, and drug and substance issues, but this forum helps build our youth and men.”

In the spirit of Mandela Day’s 67 minutes of service, the Swaneville Men’s Forum donated clothing to members of the community, demonstrating that community service remains the heart of the organisation’s mission.

As a founder of the Jesus is Alive Christian Centre, Bishop Ndebele welcomed the work being done by the Forum and pledged his future support:

“The work of the Swaneville Men’s Forum is building men and strengthening our community. I have learnt valuable lessons today, and I encourage the Forum to continue making a difference.”

As the Swaneville Men’s Forum celebrated three years of impact, its message remains clear: when men are empowered, families are strengthened, and communities thrive.

The event concluded with the presentation of awards and certificates to community champions in recognition of their outstanding leadership, selfless service, and commitment to improving the lives of others.