Men party at men’s assembly
Men have always craved for their own platform to discuss their affairs just as women do and they finally got it on Friday when Castel Malawi powered the men’s conference across the three cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu through its Doppel Munich beer.
In Blantyre, the men’s conference took place at Lotus Hotel, a venue that was only known by those who attended and most of them earned the spot through a social media competition that Castel Malawi organised.
“It is not that we do not love our women; we love them but, as men, nafe timafuna tibe khonde lathu (we want to have our own space) which we do not have just like women do,” one of the men, who only described himself as Bright, said as he enjoyed his Doppel beer.
With a rise in cases of suicide in the country and the highest number of those committing suicide being men, the conference brought on board mental health expert Chiwoza Bandawe, who enlightened men on the issue.
“Men suffer in silence and in most cases they are not willing to talk about what they are going through because of the belief that mamuna salira (men do not cry) but there is no such thing as mamuna salira; we all cry,” Bandawe said.
Apart from Bandawe, whose mental health topic was well-timed according to most men, Maya Nkoloma shared more on entrepreneurship and called upon men not to work in isolation.
The men enjoyed drinking beer and then later a sumptuous meal before engaging into games and quiz, which earned them prizes such as Doppel Munich mugs.
Husky voiced musician Nepman starred at the conference, hosted by Times Television presenter Yankho Seunda, and dished out the track ‘Nalero’.
Before he took to the stage to perform, Nepman was involved in a contest representing a team but he lost and to redeem his side, he was asked to perform.
Castel Malawi’s Communication Manager Stanley Chiyora said they were looking forward to another men’s conference in 2024.
“For a long time, men have spoken about the men’s conference but we thought we should be part of it using our Doppel Munich beer. The turnout has been impressive and men have had fun,” Chiyora said.
