“VUT partners with NASDEV for “The Mindful Man” summit, addressing male identity, mental health, and futureproofing strategies for 21st-century students.”
12 May 2026 | Story by: Shaun Michael Ndou | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
5 minutes read time
On Thursday, 07 May 2026, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) became more than a campus of lectures and academic deadlines. At the VUT Conference Centre, Vanderbijlpark, the university created a space for honesty, vulnerability and reflection as students, wellness practitioners and campus leaders gathered for the 2026 Men’s Summit under the theme, “The Mindful Man.”
Hosted in partnership with the National Association for Student Development Professionals (NASDEV), the summit confronted one of the most difficult and often overlooked realities facing young men in higher education, the silent emotional and mental health struggles carried behind expectations of masculinity.
The initiative brought together Student Support Services (SSS), the Student Leadership Centre (SLC), the Campus Clinic and Residence Living and Learning in what became a coordinated institutional effort to move beyond motivational speeches and create meaningful conversations around identity, emotional intelligence, responsibility and healing.
Throughout the summit, one truth surfaced repeatedly: many young men are suffering in silence.
Cultural expectations, social conditioning and inherited beliefs around masculinity continue to reinforce the dangerous notion that “indoda ayikhali”, meaning a man does not cry. Yet behind that silence are rising emotional pressures, anxiety, depression and, too often, young men who feel unable to ask for help.
Representing SSS, Dr Gugulethu Xaba challenged students to rethink what it truly means to be a man in today’s society. He argued that before men can succeed academically or professionally, they must first unlearn harmful ideas that associate masculinity with emotional suppression.
“I was hit by a very old song, which Ginuwine sang: ‘Help me be the best man I can be,’” said Dr Xaba. “So, as we talk about the mindfulness of men, we must also understand that what we are trying to aspire towards is to be the best man that we can be.”
He further reminded students that identity shapes behaviour and relationships, making it necessary for young men to redefine masculinity in healthier and more inclusive ways.
“Everything that we do as our identity informs men; this summit is a platform for us at VUT to unlearn. We need to redefine masculinity in a way that is positive, inclusive and allows us to be human beings before we are men.”
Dr Xaba also outlined three essential competencies needed to develop what he described as a mindful man: social competency, emotional competency and cognitive competency. Together, these competencies encouraged students to view mindfulness not as weakness, but as emotional maturity, self-awareness and strength.
One of the summit’s most engaging moments came from motivational speaker Mr Linda Ntuli, who introduced students to what he called the “Five Pillars of Futureproofing”, a framework aimed at helping young men strengthen what he referred to as their “internal operating systems.”
Using practical examples and relatable storytelling, Mr Ntuli unpacked five key areas of growth: mindset, communication, emotional intelligence, discipline and financial responsibility. His message resonated strongly with students because it connected personal development with everyday choices and long-term purpose.
“A mindful man listens twice as much as he speaks,” Mr Ntuli explained as he unpacked the importance of emotional intelligence, discipline and personal responsibility.
He later reinforced his message through a simple but memorable acronym for MAN: Master Yourself. Accept Responsibility. Never Settle for Less.
Beyond motivational language, Mr Ntuli encouraged students to adopt habits that sustain long term personal growth through what he called the “5 Stays”: Stay Honest, Stay Healthy, Stay Hungry, Stay Hot and Stay Humble.
Perhaps one of the most powerful moments of the summit came through his Coffee Bean metaphor. While carrots soften and eggs harden under pressure, coffee beans transform the water around them. Young men, he argued, should not allow pressure to define them, but should become individuals capable of transforming their environments.
“Be thermostats, not thermometers,” he told students.
The impact of the summit was perhaps best reflected in the voices of the students themselves.
Mr Katlego Chilwane, an Electrical Engineering student at VUT, said the summit reminded him that chasing unrealistic social expectations often pulls young men away from their authentic selves.
“VUT is a nice space that teaches you a lot about yourself,” he reflected. “It is okay to be normal.”
Mr Musa Mbengwa, a Bachelor of Education student from the University of Pretoria (UP) representing the Aganang Gentlemen’s Club, spoke openly about the dangers of emotional suppression among men.
“As men, we should talk and express ourselves, not keep things inside because that ends up hurting us,” he said.
Their reflections captured the deeper purpose of the summit, creating a safe environment where vulnerability was treated not as weakness, but as courage.
Ms Karabo Mogolego from the SRC Gender and Transformation Office also emphasised that institutional transformation cannot succeed if male students are emotionally neglected. The visible involvement of the Campus Clinic and SSS reinforced an important message: support is not distant, theoretical or inaccessible, it is present and available.
By integrating wellness, mentorship and leadership development, VUT demonstrated that student success cannot be measured by academic performance alone, but by the ability of students to navigate life with emotional resilience, responsibility and self-awareness.
Ultimately, “The Mindful Man” summit reframed masculinity within the university environment. It presented a version of manhood rooted in emotional awareness, accountability, resilience, social responsibility and humanity.
In a society where men are often taught to suppress emotion, the summit encouraged them to speak. Where they are taught to compete endlessly, it challenged them to reflect. And where many are taught simply to endure, it reminded them that healing is also strength.
Through “The Mindful Man,” VUT did more than host an event. It opened a necessary conversation about the future of masculinity in South Africa and the kind of men universities should help shape for society.