responsibility of supporting his
child and mother of the child,
knowing that he doesn’t have the
money, probably doesn’t have a
job, but he knows that he has
responsibility to the girl and the
child. Think about the policeman
who daily puts his life on the line
to ensure our safety. Those are the
real men who touch me because
they’re not doing it for the fame
or the pride. But they are taking
up that responsibility, knowing
that it’s bigger than themselves.
GM.: So there is this thing
where man get away with a lot
of things, how women are
treated, the way that they are
portrayed in media. Should we
blame our African culture and
modernization. What are your
thoughts?
Munashe: Our culture has played
a big part in this. I think it’s also
because of this whole
monoculture that we are living in,
that we are now doing the same
thing. Back in the day, if you were
Zimbabwean, you had a certain
way of doing things which was
totally different if you were from
Malawi or South Africa. We’re
now living in a global village
where we get to listen to the same
thing, we get to watch the same
thing, we are all shaped by the
same thing, so much so that we
really try to identify with what
we see as compared to what is “
right” and acceptable at the
time. So let’s talk about modern
hip hop culture where women
are devalued and disrespected
in music videos and songs. I
believe women are supposed to
be treated with respect and
shown the value that so rightly
deserve. So what is the popular
culture saying, that they should
be
treated differently. There is this
thing about conformity; you
know that we want to fit in,
that whole desensitization.
Every human being should be
treated with respect, regardless
of what popular culture says, or
what the way of living is.
GM.: On a personal basis, as a
young man, what are you
doing to define yourself as a
man of value?
Munashe: I have challenged
myself personally to be a man of
value in all the roles I play. I
know that I have a
responsibility as a brother, to
be there for my siblings, as a
son, to be there for my parents
and I have a responsibility as a
leader, even of this organization
to put my whole commitment
to it.
They were very supportive; we
received a standing ovation for our
efforts. From there we realized
that Amadoda could actually go
national in South Africa. We have
partnered with other universities
UCT, Wits, NMU, UWC, with
those willing to start a student
society there and have meetings,
debates and campaigns. We are
also looking to expand in
Zimbabwe, and hopefully one day
penetrate the whole of Africa.
GM.: Any advice to readers and
young people out there?
Munashe: Never doubt yourself. If
you feel strongly about something
and want something to be done, do
it. Many times we turn down our
passions and dreams because we
feel inadequate or too small to
make a difference. But once you
start things begin to happen and
you’ll find people believe and
resonate with your idea and that’s
where the magic happens. All the
things you need to be successful
lies within you.
If