I believe the word ‘amasimba’(shit) reoccurs in this book more than all the books I have read this year, put together. Just to put it into perspective, I have read over 50 books this calendar year so far.
However, the use of the word is not because the author is vulgar or angry at anyone.
In Magenge We Need To Talk, author, Melusi Tshabalala not only talks about amasimba wethu and our sins, but he is making a gentleman’s plea to every black man to change his behaviour.
Regardless of whether you are for or against the proverbial #MenAreTrash hashtag, the writer urges black men to pull their shit together and become good human beings, husband, brothers, boyfriends, uncles, nephews in our society.
Melusi narrates in colloquial township/village lingo that many black men will easily grasp. He talks to the heart of the issues that have resulted in many black men being rapist, abusers, murderers, and toxic fathers and boyfriends in our society.
Now, I need to personally give credit to Melusi for writing a book that will change and save a lot of lives and create peace and harmony in our communities.
I like the fact that he is addressing everyone and especially us the so-called ‘good men’, that is, us(myself included), men who do not rape, abuse, and murder women, but do nothing against those who commit such evil acts.
Tshabalala highlights that men often lack action against perpetrators of women and child abuse who roam shamelessly in their social circles. You know Themba and Malose beat their wives whenever they are drunk, but you do nothing about that.
Perusing through the pages, readers, especially black men, who are the intended target, will be able to see themselves and relate to the stories that Melusi often shares with his magenge in his circles(these conversations are crazy, I must admit).
The beauty of this book is that it forces one to do some serious self-introspection and allow one to make their own verdict on whether they want to continue to live with amasimba or not.
Magenge We Need To Talk is a tool that will help every black man to fight their own unearned male privilege and toxic masculinity. The importance of this book can never be overstated, as it seriously contributes to the country’s social justice project of ending gender-based violence/violence against women while also calling for a change of attitude from perpetrators of such acts.
While Melusi wrote this empowering tool to us, black men, I personally recommend this book to every man, black, white, Coloured and Indians.
We all need to stand up against the barbaric and evil acts meted out on women and children.
It is time to use our male bodies, change our violent language and use our male voices to educate to call in to order Shamir, John, Leeto and Thobani amongst us who are thorns to sisters, mothers, wives and nieces.
Magenge We Need To Talk is an informative, educative and entertaining read. The chapters are short and end with Melusi’s sound advice.