Tembelani

(Xhosa with English subtitles)

When he was a young boy, Tembelani’s mother and aunt wanted to send him to school. He chose to stay home and tend cattle – to him, this is what it meant to be a man. Later in life, Tembelani’s idea of manhood changed, and so did his attitude towards women and children. He is now a vocal leader in his village, where he promotes condom use and advocates for accessible healthcare and testing services in rural areas.

Key points to consider in viewing Tembelani’s story

Tembelani grew up believing that being a man meant imitating his father, but he changed his view of masculinity after exposure to new ideas. Why do you think Tembelani now feels so responsible for the lives of young men in his village? What insights does his story offer, about the importance of leadership?

Learn More

Sonke works with many communities to use storytelling and digital media to help people tell their own stories around gender, violence, HIV and AIDS and related issues.

Sonke partnered with Silence Speaks to enable young people and adults affected by violence and HIV and AIDS to share their stories. Other digital stories have been produced with former prisoners who experienced sexual violence in jail. And the MenEngage African Youth Alliance and Sonke partnered with UNFPA to produce “Youth Stories of Change” along with a discussion guide and other resources.

Through intensive, participatory video production workshops, Sonke is bringing rarely-heard voices and images into the civic arena. Our hope is that by highlighting everyday stories, we will deepen existing conversations about gender norms and health issues, as well as empower the storytellers and their communities.

Download Resources

Click here to download a facilitator’s guide, discussion guides and other Digital Stories resources to assist in the use of these tools in your community.