Victor Mecoamere

Victor Mecoamere

Celebrities Patrick Shai and Shonisani Muleya believe that the boy children among us can blossom into future leaders if we give them our time, advice, motivation, encouragement and mentoring.

That is why Shai and Muleya, pictured left and right, took time off to help launch the ambitious Boys to Men youth development project last year and are expected to support the second yearly event in Polokwane, Limpopo, on March 29 and 30.

Organiser Lydia Moleele of Lyds Productions said the launch in mid-2008, which was also held in Polokwane, was a success because it enjoyed the support of several prominent personalities, including stage and television actor Shai and comedian and top radio DJ Muleya, affectionately known as Ashifashabba.

"Boys to Men features mentoring and coaching sessions conducted by celebrities and other professionals across a wide range of occupations. It seeks to use men as a solution in the campaign to teach boys that violence, crime, unresolved anger, bullying and quitting school will not help us to nurture future leaders," Moleele said.

She said the participating boys from several high schools around Seshego, Polokwane, would be shown the importance of pursuing sports, valuing education and training, leading healthy lives and volunteering in various youth and community development projects.

The South African Roadies Association (Sara), led by music industry activist Freddy Nyathela, will throw its weight behind the youth development project by presenting a two-day workshop on sound engineering, lighting design, video editing, broadcasting basics and stage management.