Media coverage – Fathers Matter

Step into the gap

The absence of fathersin South Africa is a critical epidemic. The number of children growing up without a biological father in their lives is among the highest in the world and has severe and far-reaching ramifications.

In this podcast Clement Manyathela talks to the director of Isiseko Imara, George Mwaura, about the role and importance of social fathers.

George Mwaura says that without present and supportive fathers, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence worsen. Here, he gives four tips on how one can become a social father.

Ways to support young people this Mandela Day

In this podcast Clarence Ford talks to the director of Isiseko Imara, George Mwaura, about the importance of social fathers in communities.

George Mwaura says that being a social father is about intentionally and consistently playing a fathering role in a child's life. Here, he writes about who social fathers are, their importance and how you can become one.

In this podcast Michelle Constant chats to the founder and CEO of Father A Nation, Craig Wilkinson, about the impact of social fathers in society.

Absent fathers, crime and stigma of being a single father

Gosiame Masike, who’s a single father raising a daughter and the head of Heartlines’ Correctional Services, says that communities should be careful about ostracising and alienating single fathers, adding that fathers, too, need support.

Absent fathers fuel crime in children

Head of Heartlines' Department of Correctional Services and a single father raising a daughter, Gosiame Masike, says South Africa is seeing signs of change and that a new generation of fathers is emerging.

Absent fathers, crime and the stigmas

According to Statistics South Africa, half of all children in the country don’t live with their biological fathers. Studies further show that youth with the highest incarceration rates are those who never had a father living with them.

Absent fathers, stigma of being a single dad

Gosiame Masike, head of Heartlines’ Department of Correctional Services and a single father raising a daughter, talks about how the father figures in his life shaped him as a young man and communities stigmatising single fathers.

Ostracising loving single fathers

A single father raising a daughter and the head of Heartlines’ Correctional Services, Gosiame Masike, says that communities should be careful about ostracising and alienating single fathers. He adds that fathers, and any parent or guardian need all the support they can get.

Survivor’s story: absent father and domestic violence

Professor Corné Davis' opinion piece reflects on how households without fathers can cause boys to become perpetrators of violence and cause girls to become victims.

Fathers Matter

Step into the gap

Unpacking the role and importance of social fathers

The role of social fathers