Social Entrepreneur and change maker.

Tackling Society’s Biggest Challenges  

The Manifesto: specialist services for men

The MANifesto provides a supportive space for men to address unique challenges, fostering emotional well-being and community. As the founder and coordinator, Mari’s work empowers men to succeed personally and professionally.

Why should you be here? As a man, you’re feeling the strain. The pressures from every direction — your relationships, work, finances — are weighing you down. You’re expected to keep it all together, to be strong, to show no weakness, but inside, you’re struggling with anxiety, stress, and self-doubt. Accusations of toxic masculinity make it even harder to open up – the patriarchy at work, the evil men in society – the negative narratives are all around you. You don’t want to be part of the problem but don’t know how to find solutions. You need a space where you can explore these feelings without judgment, where you can understand yourself better, and where you can find a path to healthier relationships, work-life balance, and a stronger sense of self.

You need guidance and direction from someone who truly understands what you’re going through and can offer support without preconceived ideas or criticism.

Learn more at themanifesto.co.za.

The Obesity Health Centre and Community Fund

Mari is a founding member of the Obesity Community Fund, advocating for accessible obesity treatment in South Africa. The fund raises awareness, provides education, and creates funding solutions for treatment. Learn more here.

There is a global obesity and metabolic disease challenge. The Obesity Community Fund is a local solution to improve access to obesity health care in South Africa. I advocate for obesity and am one of the founding members of the Obesity Community Fund. Why? Because obesity and metabolic disease have reached catastrophic levels globally, and in South Africa:

Global situation analysis

      • Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that affects one-third of the U.S. population and globally affects 107 million children and 603 million adults. (1)
      • Obesity is a disease, but perceptions are that lifestyle changes alone can treat the condition. Research shows that only 2% of people suffering from obesity will maintain weight loss with lifestyle changes.
      • All cause mortality increases by 30% for every five-point increase in body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m2. (2) Of those affected, 8% have class III obesity, defined as a BMI greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2.(3)
      • Bariatric surgery is considered the gold standard and most cost-effective management of severe obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m2 with associated chronic disease or BMI ≥40 kg/m2), especially for those with metabolic comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D).(4)
      • Research shows that 80% of individuals who have had weight loss surgery will maintain the weight loss long-term.
      • In the UK, 1% of patients who qualify for surgery get surgery.

South African situation analysis:

      • Currently, 32% of the population suffers from obesity – that is more than 20 million people.
      • This number is projected to rise to 50% by 2030.
      • Only 0.03% (6000) of South Africans have had access to weight loss surgery.
      • The cost is estimated at R200 billion per year to manage complications of obesity.
      • Yet, weight loss medication and surgery are not funded by most medical aids and are very expensive due to the low volumes performed in SA.
      • 80% of patients who start the weight loss surgery journey will not reach theatre due to several reasons, with funds and affordability being the number one reason.
        • Education about weight loss management, metabolic disease, and obesity is a strong requirement in managing disease and co-morbidities.

The continuum of care for obesity includes lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. The Obesity Community Fund will advocate for access and education to the full continuum of care, building awareness that lifestyle changes alone are not enough to manage the disease. The strong accountability (it’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility) message is very important to share and core to the message and structure of the organisation—this structure allows patients to take responsibility and advocate for their own health.

The “Why” of the Obesity Community Fund

Obesity is a disease, and treatment needs to be more affordable and accessible. People living with obesity need to be educated, take full responsibility for their health, and advocate for themselves while working in the community towards their own health. It is this challenge, in the context above, that led us to create The Community Obesity Fund.

What do we do?

The Obesity Community Fund is a non-profit company that mobilises through training, education and research for obese people. The organisation is founded and managed by patients who have benefited from weight loss surgery and medical professionals who are passionate about being a part of the solution for obesity and metabolic disease. We use the structure of the fund to raise funds so that patients can access surgery more affordably. Patients must have skin in the game; therefore, you cannot be part of the community without contributing. The contribution can be made in several ways – financial, sharing messages and stories, participating in events, education, and research, amongst other ways to participate in this community.

In short, the Obesity Community Fund does:

• Obesity education for people living with obesity and medical professionals
• Advocacy and networking to improve access to treatment for obesity
• Funding models (development and administration) to decrease cost and make obesity treatment more affordable
• Training and skills development for medical professionals to treat obesity
• Research