IT’S A TRAGEDY

Not so long ago, South Africa’s entertainment industry was mourning the passing of the legendary actor Patrick Shai, who was reported to have committed suicide.

We’ve not forgotten about it yet and today already, as a nation, here we are again mourning another death of one of our own.

Rikhado Makhado aka Riky Rick committed suicide recently too (YOU, 10 March). Men seem to be going through a struggle that is only known to them. I think we’re not speaking out when hurt. If that’s the case then I think something must be done before it’s too late.

Though the truth remains that it is not every man who is not speaking about what troubles them, some try to speak but they’re not being listened to.

A man gets fed up at work, gets provoked on the way home and what makes matters worse is that when he gets home he happens to find a lion waiting for him.

So it becomes difficult as they have nowhere to run to. It becomes too much to some, they cannot take it anymore and they end up thinking suicide is the only solution.

May Riky’s soul rest eternally in peace. LETLADI WA GA-MPHAHLELE, MARALALENG S Traditional rigid gender norms applied in raising our boys, as if we are raising supermen who are immune to expressing their pain, is one of the factors that leads to violence and suicide that some men find themselves entangled in. Such a culture results in men harbouring depression and stress. That becomes a ticking time bomb.

Rich or poor, young or old, men or women, black or white, we all need a shoulder to cry on – and that is NOT a weakness! We should bear in mind that we live in a world where men are expected to be providers. We need to find ways to ease the financial stress on men. Financial responsibility must be instilled in the minds of the young.

Fathers should take responsibility and be the first shoulder available for their sons to cry on. Above all, we should lead by example! NORMAN V MAHLANGU, SIYABUSWA