\n<\/p>\n
Craig Wilkinson is the founder of the group. “We get men to talk, to process their feelings,” he explains.<\/p>\n
“And as they do, this healing takes place. And the second phase is teaching and training positive masculinity.<\/p>\n
“We ultimately hope that this will eliminate the scourge of gender-based violence.”<\/p>\n
He stands up, moving into the centre of the group, calling out to the men.<\/p>\n
“You as a man are a powerful force for good,” he tells them. “You choose what kind of man you want to be. Women need to be safe.”<\/p>\n
Father A Nation operates across South Africa, teaching healthy masculinity and running training programmes across dozens of schools and colleges.<\/p>\n
Mystery surrounds the spate of murders which has sparked South Africa’s latest moment of soul-searching about the safety of its women.<\/p>\n
Police have not ruled out potential links between some of the Ekurhuleni deaths but have not said they are investigating a serial killer. Suspects in some of the cases have appeared in court.<\/p>\n
But the spate of deaths has sparked new concerns and in Organic Market some women are more fearful than ever.<\/p>\n
Outside a nearby shack Linkie listens with interest as she cleans clothes in a large metal bucket.<\/p>\n
“We are not safe when we are outside our place,” she says.<\/p>\n
“We are afraid when we see a car behind us when we walk. We feel afraid. We feel scared. What if this guy’s going to kidnap me or do something to me?”<\/p>\n
It is a feeling shared by many women here. In the local hair salon, sporting a mane of thick pink braids, is Providence Maseko.<\/p>\n
She comes to the door to speak to Bra Steve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n