Simangaliso Ntoni, inspiring men from a young age

I am Simangaliso Ntoni, and I am 19 years of age. I was born in Cape Town and I moved to the Eastern Cape to live with my grandmother in a township called Mdantsane. Both my sister and I were raised by this God-fearing woman. At a young age, I was taught and trained to honor and fear God; she instilled norms and values. She taught me to man up and live a principled life as the head of the house. That taught me and prepared me for my future standards in life.

I started schooling at Thembeka Day Care Centre and then proceeded to Phumelelani High School. I then later went to Philemon Ngcelwane High School where I passed Grade 12. I entered science project competitions achieving district medals and I would be selected to attend National science competitions.

I was also involved in children’s ministry in my local church. I initiated my own organization in 2013 called Positive Force for The Future. The main goal was to help vulnerable and underprivileged children in my community. Along the way, I met a woman who changed my whole life, Miss Vuyisa Mfaka. She helped me on every event that I did and, in the process, she played a mother role in my life.

All this time I had entertained my feelings by harboring resentment and anger towards my parents. That damaged my personality but God restored my soul. Struggling with forgiveness I managed to forgive myself and everyone out there in order to pursue my dreams and become a real man. If God has given you a dream of doing something you must pursue it.

My reason for writing this book is to make a plea and encourage people to hang onto their dreams, to remind them that no matter how small they might be feeling due to their current situations and no matter how big their dreams may seem, they should hold on to their dreams and keep the faith. God is powerful and faithful enough to bring every storm to pass.

Just man up and believe in yourself, do not lose your identity. Take charge as the young generation. Be informed, confident and be focused. You should always live and life of purpose and be responsible. The world needs men’s wisdom and energy and not energy to destroy it but energy to build it. It needs men who are going to take authority so that they can fulfil God’s original purpose for creating a man.

Our nation is in a crisis of Gender Based Violence. Men should take secure measures and protect women and children. Men should reposition themselves and liberate our society from all these challenges that the society is currently facing.

Future goals and what I am currently doing.

I see myself owning my own film studio and also doing music. I’m currently doing my first year in film production.

What inspired me to write the book.

My background and recent experience as a young man inspired me to write this book titled “What it means to be a man.” Also, the lessons that I got from my grandmother growing up helped me to write this book.

Every young boy needs a father figure in his life. Every child needs a mentor who will be able to guide them and show them the way to live life. This book holds wisdom. It will bring healing emotionally, mentally and spiritually for those who need it. There is no excuse in men who kill and abuse women. We need strong, emotionally balanced men who can lead this world and develop innovative solutions to improve its current problems. Men who will protect their families and refrain from abuse.