By Dee’s Harilal.
While much-needed attention has been given to empowering girls, a critical crisis has been quietly growing: the marginalisation of boys in youth development programmes.
As South Africa prepares for Mandela Day on 18 July, Dr. Mmatepeng “Muda” Temane is launching a groundbreaking initiative to address this overlooked gap.
Her Boys Leading Change programme, recently endorsed by two Department of Education districts, tackles what she calls “the invisible crisis” – the lack of investment in boys’ development that is contributing to many of today’s community challenges.
“While we’ve made tremendous strides in empowering girls – and rightly so – we’ve inadvertently created a blind spot around boys,” explains Dr. Temane, who transitioned from full-time corporate work to mission work through her Dr. Muda Foundation in January 2025. “We envision our Boys Leading Change flagship programme becoming a global movement of boys who share experiences across multi-cultural backgrounds, ready to lead changes in their various countries and communities.”
Dr. Temane emphasizes the urgency of this mission: “We are intentional in grooming boys that will be responsible men and who will stand in the gap for the much-needed father figures, to curb GBV and heal the heartache and scourges of fatherlessness. This isn’t just about South Africa – it’s about transforming communities worldwide.”
Global Expansion Already Underway
The programme’s impact is already crossing borders. Boys Leading Change has successfully established a footprint in Malawi, where it was officially registered by Zomba City Council in December 2024. Plans for the official launch by Founder Dr. Temane and Malawi Ambassadors are currently underway, demonstrating the programme’s potential for international scalability.
A Mandela Day Call to Action
With Mandela Day approaching on 18 July, Dr. Temane is calling on South Africa to embrace Nelson Mandela’s vision of service by recognising that building better communities requires investing in ALL children – including the forgotten boys.
Annual Boys Leadership and Adventure Camp
The flagship component of the programme is the annual Boys Leadership and Adventure Camp, designed to help young men discover themselves and their talents through experiential learning and mentorship.
Key Programme Features:
- Self-Discovery: Boys explore their unique talents and potential
- Leadership Development: Practical skills for becoming positive change agents
- Adventure-Based Learning: Outdoor activities that build confidence and teamwork
- Mentorship: Guidance from positive male role models who can serve as father figures
- Global Community: Multi-cultural exchanges with boys from different countries
- GBV Prevention: Training focused on respect, responsibility, and healthy relationships
- Healing Fatherlessness: Addressing the emotional wounds caused by absent father figures
Programme Impact and Endorsement
The Boys Leading Change programme has gained significant recognition, with two Department of Education districts formally endorsing its rollout across various schools. This endorsement reflects the programme’s proven methodology and alignment with educational transformation goals.
Dr. Temane brings over 27 years of strategic management experience across public and private sectors, combined with two decades of unwavering commitment to community upliftment and youth empowerment (2005-2025).
About Dr. Mmatepeng “Muda” Temane
Dr. Temane is a passionate humanitarian, award-winning social change-maker, and holder of an Honorary Doctorate in Community Development. She has served as the First Black Female President of Rotary Club of Waterkloof (2022) and championed the club to become the 3rd Peacebuilder Club in a district spanning four African countries.
Her impressive voluntary service record includes pioneering AFS Interculture SA in Mamelodi(2016), founding the Rotary Community Corps in Rustenburg, and serving as District 9400 Polio Plus Chair and Ambassador.
About Dr. Muda Foundation
The Dr. Muda Foundation operates under the motto “Heartbeat of Nation Building,”focusing on community development, youth leadership, and women empowerment. The foundation’s mission reflects Dr. Temane’s divine calling to humanitarian service, grounded in biblical values and aimed at creating lasting kingdom impact.
Programme Opportunities:
- Mandela Day Partnership:Organizations seeking meaningful 67-minute service projects
- Schools interested in addressing the boys’ development gap
- Corporate sponsors wanting to tackle an underserved community need
- Community organizations ready to invest in balanced youth development
- Media partnerships to shine light on this overlooked crisis.