Where Do Broken Men Go? – Act 2, Scene 1

Saturday morning at the coffee shop.

COACH MASUKU: Alright, gentleman! Let’s settle down! Gents… (waves to those standing near the urn to be seated)

(The men take their seats, some with a hot drink in hand.)

COACH MASUKU: Good morning and welcome to you all! Special welcome to those of you who are here for the first time. Congratulations to you on choosing to be part of the solution and not the problem.

(Loud applause by some.)

COACH MASUKU: Now, because we have visitors in attendance, I’m going to open the floor to our existing members to share something, anything, about their own journey. The floor is yours, gentleman!

(Hendrik nods acknowledgement to Coach Masuku on his way to the front.)

HENDRIK: Good morning, brothers. My name is Hendrik. It wasn’t until I raised my hand out of anger that I… (pauses)

COACH MASUKU: It’s OK, Hendrik.

HENDRIK: That look…the look of terror in her eyes… (body trembles at the thought) It was the scream that stopped me from…

COACH MASUKU: Go on. (encourages)

HENDRIK: (looks up towards the coach) It was like re-living what my father used to do to my mother all those years ago. She used to scream… (lowers his head, taking fistfuls of hair, and sobs)

(Coach Masuku walks over to Hendrik, puts an arm around him and pulls him into a warm embrace. Hendrik holds on tight and shudders with tears. Masuku gestures to Thabo to come forward.)

THABO: (stands before the clapping group and lowers his head in shame) I raped her. I raped her because… (looks up as if searching for the right words) I raped her because I thought I could cure her.

(Silence descends on the room.)

THABO: I had stumbled out of a local shebeen, and there they were…kissing, in the shadows. Thandeka and some…woman. (face contorts with disgust) So that night I thought I’ll remind her what it’s like to be with a real man. I grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her to the floor and… (shoulders drop)

COACH MASUKU: (looking at Thabo) And…? (gets up and puts an empty seat a few feet from Thabo)

THABO: Is this what you want?! (He suddenly yells at the empty chair as if speaking to Thandeka directly.) Let me remind you of what it’s like to be with a real man! (long pause)

(Coach Masuku looks directly at Thabo and nods encouragingly.)

THABO: (clenched jaw relaxes and shoulders fall, as if letting go of something) It’s not the 15 years behind bars that hurts me, it’s the fact that in that moment of madness I was so enraged that I refused to take any responsibility for my own part in the failure of our marriage. (tears in his eyes)

HAROLD: All my life I’ve been told, by my grandfather, father, uncles…that a man must provide for his family. That’s what we are, what we’ve always been. Providers.

(A few men nod and murmur their agreement.)

HAROLD: To watch my wife of nearly 25 years have to wake up every morning and go to work so that she can put food on the table, keep a roof over our heads…survive! Bless her. She tried to keep my spirits up, told me that we would be OK…but I just couldn’t look myself in the mirror any more. I had failed.

COACH MASUKU: Ahhh, but together we discovered something meaningful, didn’t we?

HAROLD: That’s right, coach, we did. Brother’s Keeper has given me hope and helped me realise that it’s all a matter of perspective. Coach Masuku explained to me that I could still provide for Lynette, just in a different way. (Harold smiles warmly at the coach.) Now I wake up every morning with a new sense of purpose. I’m volunteering at a school down the road and have started offering my services as a handyman in our community. When Lynette comes home, I have cleaned the house and cooked supper. (pauses)

COACH MASUKU: What have you learnt, Harold? Tell them what you have learnt. (beaming)

HAROLD: That retrenchment does not make me less of a man. (He looks around the room with a smile.) There’s more than one way to support your family. Today, I have faith in my marriage and understand that I am not my father, and my journey will not be the same as his.

THABO: (mumbles to himself) Ya neh…

HAROLD: I’m happy to announce that I have just put together a business plan and have a meeting next week to present it in more detail to a potential investor!

(Men applaud jubilantly.)

COACH MASUKU: (walking to the front while applauding Harold’s breakthrough and good news) We wish you well, Harold! You have come a long way, and your marriage is better for it!

(More applause.)

Tell us: Do you think speaking about problems in a group could help you, or your community? Why or why not?

26 Responses

I don't know I feel like it better to keep them in then show your weakness

Qinisile Ndlovu · 9 months ago

Yes it does help because u get advice from both individuals Of which u alone has to make a right decision

Moyahabo Thoka · a year ago

Confiding in someone helps. Hey guys, if any of you are interested in the FUNNY STORY COMPETITION for inspiration maybe even preparation, read HLAZMENT. its available here on fundza. It tells hilarious embarrassing moments that will sure tickle your tummy.

Karabo Kapa · a year ago

I think it can help me and my community because gender based violence is getting worse every day

Wandile Wandiles · a year ago

I believe speaking about problems ,it's a best way to realise a pain and found solutions which will help you lot . We are coming from communities and we share same story reveal it to the group ,you found best solutions .

Zamani Masiteng · a year ago

Coach Masuku did a great role within his community

Segomotso Benjamin Molekane · a year ago

In life there are two sides to everything, the good and the bad ,to talk about your problem (s) in a group is pain easing and could help as you would be given solution but could be heart rendering to find out that some of those group members are talking behind you and are mostly judgemental instead of Emphatic, so you see

Faith Samou · a year ago

Atleast u could feel less burden

Zanele Mantame · a year ago

Big yes because you won't suffer in silence

Mmametja lina Kekana · a year ago

Indeed it is what you reveal you heal Could also help in the community we go through the same problems in life it's better to be helped by someone who was once there

Thato Motlhabane · a year ago

i agree , speaking in a group or to someone is a right thing to do , because that's where you get words of encouragement and support

Sinazo Tikolo · a year ago

Yah but I prefer speaking with someone I trust but in a group ai I dout

Duduzile Tembe · a year ago

Yes , speaking , even if it's not in a Group , just speaking to Someone , can help so much - because it's word against the other one's word - As you speak what you are experiencing , your challenges , as he/she is listening , she is busy gathering answers , words of comfort and encouragement

Ruth Loungo Tongwane · a year ago

No ai mina personally I can't stand people a group of people to be exact

Zanele Mathonsi · a year ago

Yes I do think so, if done in a trust-honouring and confidential environment, for it opens up possibilities for new suggestions and a chance to inspire and learn from others.

Sandile · a year ago

Yes,because u won't suffer in silence

Kedibone Montsho · a year ago

I am here for this

Lesedi Tshetlhanyane · a year ago

i think so

Nombuso Blose · a year ago

Yes because the more you share your problems to the group is the more you feel much better about everything that happened in the past.

Evah Ngobeni · a year ago

It will help you the are people out the who are willing to help and it aslo help you to see that you are not alone

precious Kunene · a year ago

You should intervene...I hope I don't come across such tho...gives me anxiety

Yes It might help.

Elenah Masombuka · a year ago

Yes it helps a lot because the more you speak the better you feel

Thembi Nkosi · a year ago

Yes

Feziwe Nzima · a year ago

It does help.

Phumza Funo · a year ago

Yes it will. Some people might help you.

Letlhogonolo Kotsedi · a year ago

Where Do Broken Men Go? - Act 2, Scene 1