The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Gender Forum hosted a Men’s Health and Wellness Breakfast at the IT Department’s Immersive Digital Lab, Ritson Road Campus, on 15 September 2026.
The programme, led by Mr Michael Patchiappen, highlighted the importance of men’s mental, physical and financial wellbeing, while encouraging attendees to engage openly on issues affecting their health and personal lives.
Mr Deon Chetty, Employment Equity and Skills Development Coordinator of the Gender Forum, outlined the purpose of the breakfast, which was held under the overarching theme, ‘Bridging the Gap: Prioritising Men’s Physical, Mental, and Financial Well being.’
“We created this platform under our overarching theme: ‘Bridging the Gap: Prioritising Men’s Physical, Mental, and Financial Well being.’ Today is about breaking the stigma, creating a safe space for men to focus on self care and healthy masculinity, and providing practical tools to manage stress,” said Chetty.
He emphasised that men’s wellbeing forms an important part of broader gender advocacy and institutional transformation.
“When we think about gender advocacy and institutional transformation, our focus is naturally centred on equity, inclusion, and the creation of safe, empowering environments. However, a truly holistic approach to gender equity must actively include men, not just as allies in policy, but as individuals whose wellbeing, health and mental resilience directly impact our institution, our families and our broader society,” he said.
In line with the programme’s purpose, guest speakers addressed various aspects of men’s wellness.
Mr Dylan Ramsay, a therapist at Life Health Solutions, spoke about financial wellbeing. His presentation explored money personality, the five pillars of financial wellness and financial services available through Life Health Solutions, including financial advice and planning.
He highlighted the importance of financial wellness as part of overall wellbeing, noting that financial difficulties can have a lasting impact on individuals, their work, families and relationships.
“If we do not take control of our finances, the consequences can include difficulty functioning at work and increased relationship challenges,” he said.
The second speaker, Mr Phumlani Mbatha from Life Health Solutions, addressed burnout and resilience. He highlighted the importance of recognising stress early and taking proactive steps to prevent it from developing into burnout.
Mbatha encouraged attendees to develop healthy ways of managing stress, while emphasising the importance of adequate rest and creating time to recover from the pressures of everyday life.
“You cannot do away with stress. That is part of life. You need to manage it to avoid it accumulating and affecting your mental wellbeing,” he explained.
Motivational keynote speaker Mr Sandile Dlamini encouraged attendees to reflect on their life experiences, make informed choices and use the lessons they have gained to build a more secure future.
Drawing on his experiences as an artist and his travels abroad, Dlamini spoke about how exposure to different communities and cultures influenced his perspective on life and encouraged him to pursue opportunities beyond the music industry.
He shared how his journey led him to develop financial skills, secure employment and learn more about investing.
“When I travelled, especially abroad, I discovered a lot of things that we share as a community. When I came back, I realised that I needed to leave the industry with some of the things that I had discovered,” he said.
Dlamini encouraged the men to remain open to learning and to consider how their skills, experiences and decisions can contribute to their personal and financial growth. His keynote added a motivational dimension to the programme, reminding attendees that personal development requires a willingness to learn, adapt and make purposeful choices for the future.
The programme concluded with a networking breakfast, providing an opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences and connect with colleagues while reflecting on the key messages from the day’s sessions.
Pictured: Attendees at the Men’s Health and Wellness Breakfast
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Luyanda Mlaba
