Content Warning: Sensitive Topics South African men are silently suffering. Many are dying inside, and some are taking their own lives. In this deeply personal episode of Don’t Hold Back, author, poet, and social activist Zonwabele Zola “Blackie” Tshayana opens up about his experience with depression, suicide attempts, and growing up without a father. He and Nozi speak openly about absent fathers, the hunger for validation, and the silent struggles facing South African men, including the heartbreak and identity crisis rooted in broken homes and systems. From stigma and suicide to hope, healing, and raising the next generation, this is an essential conversation for anyone invested in the well-being of men, boys, and families. This episode is about breaking cycles, building identity, and finding truth. We’re talking truth, pain, healing, and how women can better understand and support the men they love. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction: Men and Mental Health 00:45 Welcome to Don't Hold Back 00:58 Raising Boys: A Mother's Perspective 01:29 The Crisis of Male Vulnerability 01:53 Shocking Statistics on Male Suicide 02:14 Introducing Today's Guest 03:18 Personal Struggles with Depression 05:43 The Impact of Absent Fathers 08:09 Identity Crisis and Validation 12:30 The Urgency of Men's Mental Health 21:21 Initiating Self-Awareness 22:01 The Stigma Around Counselling 22:36 Breaking the Cycle of Violence 23:45 Normalizing Vulnerability 26:49 Humour as a Coping Mechanism 30:33 Rapid Fire Questions 32:16 Final Thoughts on Vulnerability 37:12 Closing Remarks #DontHoldBack #MensMentalHealth #NoziTalks