Zimbabwe Mental Health: The Silent Weight Men Carry
There is a saying in Zimbabwe: "kufa kwemurume kubuda ura," the death of a real man is when his body lies lifeless, intestines spilling out. It’s a brutal metaphor, but one that has shaped generations. It tells men they must be strong, they must provide, they must endure and above all, they must never let anyone see them cry.
We grew up watching our fathers, brothers, uncles, and friends carry enormous burdens without ever speaking about what they felt. Even in the face of loss, men were expected to suppress their grief, to stand tall, and to take care of everyone else. Vulnerability was never an option. Resilience was praised, silence was demanded.
And somewhere along the way, many men learnt that asking for help was not courage but weakness.
As a social worker passionate about mental health, I have seen this silence again and again. Some men only speak when they’ve reached their br…