Nico Group plc launched a men’s gathering dubbed “BenchTalk” in Blantyre to address critical issues affecting men in their daily lives.
The event, held on Sunday, brought together fathers and brothers to watch the Club World Cup finals while engaging in discussions about health, investment, and mental wellness challenges.
Nico General Insurance Chief Executive Officer Donbell Mandala said the initiative was born from recognising that fathers are “unsung heroes” who need support systems to cope with multiple pressures.
He described the challenges men face as overwhelming multitasking, having to “build, protect, invest, love, and lead all at the same time.”
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“What most people don’t see is what happens off the pitch. They don’t see the financial pressure that we go through as men. They don’t see the silent stress,” Mandala told participants. This is a space for real conversations in the company of brothers, because even the best players need a half-time,” Mandala said.
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One of the men who attended the function Kondwani Msimuko praised the initiative, noting that men were able to articulate their experiences and found similarities in what they were going through.
“What I saw in this particular event is that men were able to articulate what they’re experiencing. I think Nico should continue on this journey of how they can bring men together, be comfortable, and talk about who they are, what they’re experiencing, and the journey they’re going through as they’re getting older,” Msimuko said.
The event featured presentations by Dr Frank Taulo, who addressed various health issues affecting men, including mental health concerns, and Daniel Dunga, Chief Executive Officer at Nico Asset Managers Limited, who spoke on investment strategies and financial planning.
