http://www.saffi.org.za/, http://www.linkedin.com/in/ south-african-faith-and-family-institute-saffi-aa1621324 Vanity UR

South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI), P. O. Box 13077, Woodstock, Cape Town (2026)

23/10/2026

SAFFI Men Affirming Dignity 3rd Annual MAD Indaba 2026

Overarching Theme: “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.

THEME: THE SANKOFA MODEL

“Your future is behind you, and your past is in front of you.”

Today marked another thought-provoking day at the SAFFI Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Indaba 2026. Our discussions were guided by the Sankofa model, rooted in the African wisdom of looking back to retrieve what is valuable from our history so that we can move forward with greater understanding and purpose.

Sankofa reminds us that we cannot fully understand who we are or where we are going without acknowledging where we come from. Our histories, ancestry, lived experiences, and collective memories provide important lessons that can guide our present actions and shape the future we are building for generations to come.

OUR PARTNERS SHARING ABOUT THE MAD INITIATIVE THROUGH THE MAD MOBILE EXHIBITION IN THEIR CONTEXTS

We were privileged to hear from our colleagues, Sidwell Sehona and Onke Dlamini at Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training (ADAPT) about the catalytic effect that the stories in the MAD exhibition has on the men who they work with be it in the prison or through their male perpetrator intervention program. ADAPT, based in Alex township in Johannesburg, is a women’s lead organisation that works to end GBV through a comprehensive intervention program that provides services to victim/survivors, perpetrators, youth and the broader community.

Oudtshoorn Municipality Libraries – Highlighting the importance of stories, knowledge, and preserving our histories for current and future generations. We heard from Charlotte Kamfer and Pastor Franklin Booysen presented on the ways in which the libraries in Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp utilised the MAD exhibition in their outreach programs with men, youth and the broader community.

Pastor Franklin is one of the religious leaders in Oudtshoorn that has participated in SAFFI’s work with Religious Leaders in Oudtshoorn over several years. Pastor Franklin’s active collaboration with key stakeholders and his direct work with men and youth amplify the important role of faith leaders in advancing the cultivation of Ubuntu, and transformation within communities.

These engagements reminded us that the work of affirming dignity cannot happen in isolation. It requires partnerships, collective responsibility, and a willingness to learn from the different experiences and wisdom that each person and organisation brings to the table.

: HONOURING OUR PAST, TRANSFORMING OUR FUTURE
Today's conversations challenged us to reflect deeply on the stories we inherit, the histories we carry, and the responsibility we have to ensure that future generations understand their roots.

As we journey through the MAD Indaba 2026, we are reminded that the past is not simply something to leave behind; it is a sacred space for deep listening, learning, healing…it is a source of wisdom from which we can build a more dignified future.

23/10/2026

SAFFI’s Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Indaba 2026 dream team 🥰 it’s been such a joy to work with each one of you today. Thank you 💫🌍❤️

22/10/2026

SAFFI’s 3rd annual Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Indaba 2026

: 🦁 “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”🌍

Today, the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI) continued its 3rd Annual Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Indaba 2026 with a powerful day of reflection, group discussions, panel conversations, storytelling, and the sharing of wisdom rooted in African Proverbs.

Our conversations were guided by the following three thought-provoking African Proverbs:

🌍 “Move like a chameleon: Keep one eye on the past and the other on the future.”

This proverb reminded us of the importance of understanding where we come from while remaining conscious of where we are going. As African men and communities, our histories, ancestry, and lived experiences carry valuable lessons that can guide us towards a more dignified future.

🌍 “The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.”

This powerful proverb invited us to reflect on the lasting impact of our actions, words, and historical experiences. While those who cause harm may move on, those who experience it often carry the memory. Our discussions challenged us to acknowledge these experiences, confront painful histories, and create spaces for healing, accountability, and restoration.

🌍“You can wake up a person who is sleeping, but not a person who pretends to be sleeping.”

This proverb challenged us to think about awareness, willingness, and accountability. Transformation requires more than hearing the truth; it requires a willingness to acknowledge it, engage with it, and take responsibility for the changes needed in ourselves and our communities.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in group discussions and panel conversations, creating opportunities to exchange experiences, challenge perspectives, and learn from one another.

A special highlight was the participation of the SAFFI–Africa Unite Men's Cohort, who shared their journey and reflections from the Men Affirming Dignity journey since Feb 2026. In the form of a panel discussion each of the men shared what it meant to be part of the SAFFI-Africa Unite MAD Men’s Cohort. Their contributions demonstrated the importance of creating safe spaces where men can speak openly, reflect on their lived experiences, and journey towards healing, accountability, and affirming the dignity of others. One of the participating community leaders working with youth on the Cape Flats noted that these fathers / elders are inspiring enormous hope because they are interrupting inter-generational harm by being agents of change in their families and communities.

THE MAN BOX
The First Community Resource Centre (FCRC) from Hanover Park brought an important dimension to the day's conversations through their powerful skit, The MAN Box.

Through this performance, the cast explored the expectations and social pressures that men experience and how these can shape their identities, relationships, and understanding of what it means to be a man.

The engagement also included contributions from Tammy and Albert Matthews together with the cast, adding to the meaningful conversations about men, identity, and the importance of challenging the limitations imposed by society.

The performance reminded us that men should not have to sacrifice their humanity, emotions, or dignity to conform to rigid expectations of what it means to be a man.

Day 2 was filled with the sharing of wisdom, lived experiences, and collective reflection. Through an African lens, we were reminded that our stories are interconnected, our past continues to influence our present, and our responsibility extends to the generations that will follow us.

African proverbs are more than words passed down from one generation to another. They are vessels of ancestral wisdom, carrying lessons about relationships, responsibility, healing, and the interconnectedness of humanity.

As we continue this journey, we are reminded that affirming dignity begins when we are willing to listen, remember, learn, and take responsibility for the stories we carry and the legacies we leave behind.

A special acknowledgment to the young people and the men who courageously shared and engaged in today’s deliberations. We continue to from the Cape Flats and townships! 🌍🌍🌍

21/10/2026

| DAY 1
SAFFI’s 3rd Annual Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Indaba

🦁 “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”
Today, the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI) proudly launched Day 1 of its 3rd Annual Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Indaba 2026 at Iziko Museums of South Africa, under the overarching theme:
“Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”

Our Day 1 theme, “Unmuting Hidden Histories,” created a meaningful space to explore the hidden histories of African men whose lives, lived experiences, hard work, and contributions quietly but steadily continue to affirm dignity. Through their stories, we were reminded of the importance of writing and rewriting our own histories thus reclaiming our voices, and ensuring that the experiences of African men who affirm dignity are amplified.

TWO PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Panel Discussion 1: Reclaiming Our Stories and Histories
The first panel was led by Dr Ruben Richards, Patron of SAFFI’s MAD initiative, who facilitated an insightful conversation with Pumzile Zonke, Acting Executive Director: Core Functions at Iziko Museums of South Africa. Pumzile shared insights about his childhood and the resolves he took that ultimately informed and continue to inform his life’s trajectory. His most acclaimed contribution is that he authored a non-fiction book entitled The Middleman with Power.

Participants also had the opportunity to watch the video of William Newhoudt, one of the men featured in the MAD exhibition. His story centres the coming to terms with learning that his deaf is deaf in a context where access to any kind of meaningful public services especially education was almost nonexistent. Uncle Willy’s story reminds us that behind every face is a history, behind every experience is a lesson, and within every man is a story worthy of being heard.

🔹 Panel Discussion 2: Affirming Dignity Through Our Contributions
The second panel was led by Dr Elizabeth Hoorn Petersen, Executive Director of SAFFI, bringing together three inspiring voices:

✨ Jabaar Cassiem Mohamed – DEAFSA
✨ Pastor Adrian Williams – Musician, Artist and Cultural Leader
✨ Pastor Carven Engel – FCRC
Each of the men spoke about growing up on the Cape Flats as a child into an adult man with various identities and responsibilities. The discussion created space to reflect on the different ways African men affirm dignity through their work, creativity, leadership, faith, culture, and contributions to society.
Their insights challenged us to look beyond the labels society places on men and to recognise the value of their lived experiences, their voices, and the legacies they are building within their communities.

AN INSIGHTFUL AND INSPIRING FIRST DAY!
Day 1 of the MAD Indaba 2026 was a powerful reminder that our histories matter, our voices matter, and our stories deserve to be told by those who have lived them.

As we continue this journey, we are reminded that reclaiming our narratives is not simply about looking back at the past. It is about shaping the present, restoring dignity, and ensuring that future generations inherit stories that reflect the fullness of life as lived, experienced and created by African men and their families & communities.

If the lion does not tell its own story, the hunter will continue to define its history. It is time for the lion to pick up the pen, reclaim its voice, and write a new chapter!

A heartfelt thank you to our panellists, participants, partners, and everyone who contributed to making the first day such an insightful and inspiring experience.

We look forward to continuing these important conversations as we unmute hidden histories, affirm dignity, and collectively work towards a society where every story matters.

SAFFI MAD Indaba 2026 — Reclaiming Stories. Restoring Dignity. Rewriting Histories.

20/10/2026

| SAFFI Uses Contextual Bible Study (CBS) to Engage the MAD Exhibition as a Ministry Tool | Atlantis Covenant Church –

On Sunday, 18 October 2026, the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI) continued its journey with Atlantis Covenant Church, using Contextual Bible Study (CBS) as a ministry tool to engage with the Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Exhibition.

We had the privilege of fellowshipping with the congregation during their Sunday morning worship service, which formed part of concluding the CBS framework to engage the MAD exhibition as ministry tool. After we were warmly welcomed by Pastor Hester, Ashwyn Du Plooy, SAFFIs Men Affirming Dignity Program Coordinator invited congregants to share to share their reflections on the use of CBS to engage, interpret and understand the ways that men who identify as Christian in Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) exhibition used faith as a life-affirming resource in their lives and relationships. It was incredible to listen as person after person shared their experiences of enlightenment as they were using the CBS framework in their sense making of how some men in the exhibition embodied their faith as they were navigating GBV, loss and grief, and harsh dehumanising experiences during apartheid.

SAFFI’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Hoorn Petersen, addressed the congregation and made very specific linkages to how Sacred Text can be used to assess and regulate intimate relationships. She pointed to specific scriptures in the Christian text that individuals could use to help them discern whether to engage in an intimate relationship, and how to ensure that we increase the quality of life for the self and each other in an intimate relationship.

Revd Zukisa Fumba, SAFFI's Training and Operations Support Manager, ministered a powerful, thought-provoking message from Matthew 22:15–22, inviting the congregation to reflect deeply on the relationship between faith, responsibility, and how we live out our values within the church and in society. His sermon brought into perspective the C*D in the tangible manner in which he opened up the Scriptures.

Through this journey, we continue to facilitate thought-provoking conversations and resources as Religious Leaders and their Faith communities explore how their respective Sacred Texts speak to people’s lived realities and how places of worship can become sanctuaries of hope, healing, accountability, dignity, and human flourishing.

The MAD Exhibition reminds us that every story matters and that our faith calls us to recognise the humanity in one another.

A heartfelt word of thanks to Pastor Hester Moses and the entire Atlantis Covenant Church congregation for welcoming SAFFI, creating space for meaningful engagement, and for inviting SAFFI to journey with them in this manner. We appreciate your openness, hospitality, and willingness to engage with the exhibition as a ministry tool using the CBS framework.

📢 The MAD Exhibition will remain at Atlantis Covenant Church until the end of October 2026. We encourage the congregation and wider Atlantis community to take this opportunity to engage with the exhibition, reflect on the stories, and participate in the ongoing conversations around dignity, identity, faith, and Ubuntu.

Together, let us continue to cultivate Ubuntu in our homes, relationships and communities.

15/10/2026

: SAFFI was honoured to be invited to engage in conversation with the Young Men’s Assembly at the Rev. M.S. Lugongolo Foundation Camp in Glencairn.

During this engagement, the SAFFI team created space for meaningful conversations with the young men around the importance of the choices they make today and how these choices shape their tomorrow.

Through the lens of the Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Mobile Initiative, the young men were encouraged to reflect on identity, responsibility, dignity, and the kind of men they aspire to become.

The engagement highlighted the importance of learning from the lived experiences of others and recognising that every choice has the potential to shape our relationships, families, and communities.

From an Afrocentric perspective, we recognise that raising young men is a collective responsibility. Our young men need spaces where they can reflect, learn, grow, and develop into men who affirm the dignity of others and contribute positively to society.
The choices we make today become part of the legacy we leave for tomorrow.

Through initiatives such as MAD, SAFFI continues to create opportunities for men and boys to challenge harmful patterns, embrace Ubuntu, and become agents of healing and transformation in their communities.

15/10/2026

| SAFFI Uses Contextual Bible Study (CBS) to Engage the MAD Exhibition as a Ministry Tool | Atlantis Covenant Church –

On 14 October 2026, SAFFI continued its journey with Atlantis Covenant Church, using Contextual Bible Study (CBS) as a ministry tool to engage with the Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Exhibition.

The session focused on the story of Daniel Hoorn, one of the men featured in the MAD Exhibition and the ways in which he embodied his personal faith in subverting dehumanisation and cultivating Ubuntu in relationships and communities.

SAFFI’s intentional use of the Contextual Bible Study tool forms part of SAFFI's ongoing commitment to fusing theory and practice. This framework is not only accessible to ordinary people of faith, it advances SAFFI’s model of strengthening the theological capacity of faith leaders and congregations in their ongoing quest of becoming and being true sanctuaries of hope, and healing for individuals and families affected by intimate partner abuse.

The MAD Exhibition continues this tradition by creating opportunities for stories to become pathways towards reflection, healing, and transformation.

We appreciate the willingness of Pastor Hester Moses and her congregation for taking on this journey.

A special acknowledgment is extended to the SAFFI team for their commitment and dedication.

14/10/2026

SAFFI Uses Contextual Bible Study (CBS) to Engage the MAD Exhibition as a Ministry Tool | Atlantis Covenant Church –

On 13 October 2026, the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI) continued its journey with Atlantis Covenant Church, using Contextual Bible Study (CBS) as a ministry tool to engage with the Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Exhibition.

Pastor Hester Moses is one of the Atlantis religious leaders who has been engaged with SAFFI's programmes for more than a decade. We are delighted to walk alongside her and her congregation as we explore how the MAD Exhibition can become a resource for biblical reflection, healing, and transformation.

Contextual Bible Study is a community-driven approach to interpreting Scripture through people's lived experiences, histories, struggles, identities, and relationships. It creates space for communities to connect God's Word with their everyday realities.

This approach forms part of SAFFI's ongoing commitment to strengthening the theological capacity of faith leaders and congregations to become true sanctuaries of hope, safety, and healing for individuals and families affected by intimate partner abuse.

: Dealing with Grief and Loss Scripture Reading: John 11:17–24 – The Death of Lazarus

Through the story of Barry Isaacs, one of the men featured in the MAD Exhibition, participants were invited to engage with Scripture through a real-life experience. His journey provided an opportunity to reflect on grief and loss, resilience, faith, and the importance of support, including the role his wife played during a difficult season of his life.

Barry's story became more than words on an exhibition panel and a video being played;it became a mirror through which the congregation could reflect on its own lived experiences and relationships. Participants were encouraged to connect his journey with Martha's encounter with Jesus following the death of her brother, Lazarus, and to consider how faith and community can sustain us through seasons of grief.

As African people storytelling is sacred. Our elders have always used stories to preserve wisdom, identity, history, and values across generations. The MAD Exhibition continues this tradition by creating space for stories to become pathways towards reflection, healing, and transformation.

This is the power of Contextual Bible Study: bringing Scripture and lived experience into conversation with one another.

The congregation was not merely studying John 11:17–24; it was locating Scripture within its own community, recognising shared experiences, and reflecting on how faith can inspire and help us deal with Grief and Loss.

07/10/2026

: SAFFI launched CONTEXTUAL BIBLE STUDY (CBS) as tool for engaging the MEN AFFIRMING DIGNITY (MAD) exhibition as MINISTRY TOOL | ATLANTIS COVENANT CHURCH

Pastor Hester Moses is one of the Atlantis Religious Leaders who has been engaged in the SAFFI programs for more than a decade. We are delighted to embark on this short journey with her and her congregation in employing Contextual Bible Study (CBS) as a tool to interpret the ways in which some men in the MAD exhibition - who identify as Christian, used faith a resource to subvert dehumanisation, and to cultivate Ubuntu in their relationships.

Contextual Bible Study (CBS) is a community-driven way of interpreting Scripture within and from a particular local community, recognising that the Bible is not read in isolation from people's lived realities, histories, struggles, identities, relationships and experiences. It creates space for communities to encounter Scripture through their own stories and to discover how God's Word speaks into their everyday lives.

The CBS session was rooted in SAFFI’s continuing work on strengthening the theological capacity of Faith Leaders and congregations in the quest of making places be true sanctuaries of hope and healing to individuals and families who are afflicted or vulnerable to intimate partner abuse.

The overarching theme for this series is: “Places of Worship Called to Be SALT and LIGHT”

The Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13–16

«“You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world.”»

Rather than approaching the text only as an ancient biblical passage, church members were invited to locate themselves within the story of Scripture and to consider what it means for a community of faith to be salt and light in its own context.

Through the story of Andre Daniels, one of the men featured in the MAD Exhibition, participants were given an opportunity to engage with Matthew 5:13–16 through a real-life story.

Andre's story became more than simply a story on an exhibition panel. It became a mirror through which the community could see aspects of its own lived reality.

As participants engaged with Andre’s journey, they were encouraged to identify the strengths, struggles, choices, wounds, resilience and possibilities reflected within the story and to connect these with the message of Matthew 5:13–16.

This is the power of Contextual Bible Study - it allows Scripture and lived experience to enter into conversation with one another.

From an Afrocentric perspective, story is sacred. Our elders have always used stories to transmit wisdom, values, identity, history and knowledge from one generation to another. The MAD exhibition therefore becomes a contemporary space where stories can once again become a doorway into reflection, healing, identity and transformation.

The church was not merely studying Matthew 5.

The church was locating Matthew 5 within its own community - Atlantis.

And perhaps this is what it means to be SALT and LIGHT not simply to speak about transformation, but to embody it in our families, churches, communities and society.

“You are the salt of the earth.”
“You are the light of the world.”
— Matthew 5:13–16

01/10/2026

Today, SAFFI’s Men Affirming Dignity (MAD) Programme Coordinator, Ashwyn Du Plooy met with Fagrie Nasiep, one of the men whose story is featured in the MAD exhibition, to explore ways of reaching and engaging the youth of Manenberg. Fagrie has a long history of youth leadership development. To read more about Fagrie’s journey, the MAD exhibition is available for android users via this link: https://lnkd.in/dAEFd6Qz

The MAD mobile exhibition is more than a collection of stories it is a community development and educational tool that creates space for youth to reflect on their journeys, confront the realities that shape their lives, and discover pathways towards healing, responsibility and positive change.

Fagrie’s story is one of the many voices that reminds us that our past does not have to determine our future. By bringing these stories into spaces where young people can engage with them, we create opportunities for reflection, honest conversations and transformation.

From to .
From to .
From to .

South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI)

23/10/2026

23/10/2026

22/10/2026

21/10/2026

20/10/2026

15/10/2026

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

07/10/2026

01/10/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request