Why South Africa Is Failing Its Boys - And Why Everyone Pays | With Dr Mzamo Masito
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South Africa’s boys are falling behind and the consequences affect all of us. In this episode
of Force for Good, Craig sits down with Dr Mzamo Masito - behavioural scientist, former
Google Africa CMO, founder of African Men Care and author of This Country Hates Our
Boys - to confront a crisis hiding in plain sight.
Mzamo speaks candidly about father absence, education, violence, male suicide and lost
opportunity, as well as his own experience of abandonment, family dysfunction and the loss
of two brothers. We explore what happens when boys grow up without present fathers,
positive male role models or the belief that their lives matter - and how unaddressed pain
can follow them into adulthood.
This is not about excusing harmful behaviour or doing less for women and girls. Compassion
is not a zero-sum game. If we want safer women, stronger families and healthier
communities, we must also help boys grow into healed, responsible and compassionate
men. We discuss why fathers and positive male mentors matter, why masculinity itself is not
toxic, and why preventing future violence means reaching wounded boys before their pain
becomes anger, isolation or despair. Mzamo’s own life changed because good men stepped
in, believed in him and showed him another path. His story is a powerful reminder that one
present, principled man can help change the direction of a boy’s life.
This is an honest conversation about boys, men, responsibility, healing and what it will take
to build a healthier South Africa for everyone. The urgent question is: who is raising our
boys, and what happens if good men don’t step in?
of Force for Good, Craig sits down with Dr Mzamo Masito - behavioural scientist, former
Google Africa CMO, founder of African Men Care and author of This Country Hates Our
Boys - to confront a crisis hiding in plain sight.
Mzamo speaks candidly about father absence, education, violence, male suicide and lost
opportunity, as well as his own experience of abandonment, family dysfunction and the loss
of two brothers. We explore what happens when boys grow up without present fathers,
positive male role models or the belief that their lives matter - and how unaddressed pain
can follow them into adulthood.
This is not about excusing harmful behaviour or doing less for women and girls. Compassion
is not a zero-sum game. If we want safer women, stronger families and healthier
communities, we must also help boys grow into healed, responsible and compassionate
men. We discuss why fathers and positive male mentors matter, why masculinity itself is not
toxic, and why preventing future violence means reaching wounded boys before their pain
becomes anger, isolation or despair. Mzamo’s own life changed because good men stepped
in, believed in him and showed him another path. His story is a powerful reminder that one
present, principled man can help change the direction of a boy’s life.
This is an honest conversation about boys, men, responsibility, healing and what it will take
to build a healthier South Africa for everyone. The urgent question is: who is raising our
boys, and what happens if good men don’t step in?
