Can a migrant father be present in his child’s life? New Heartlines film explores this important SA question

Screenshot from this week’s ‘Fathers Matter’ movie, ‘In Time’

On Saturday September 17 South African NGO Heartlines, in collaboration with the SABC, unveiled a new film series called Heartlines Fathers Matter that uses the power of story to support the positive and active role of fathers and men in children’s lives.

The second of the six short films in the series, In Time, airs on SABC 2 this Saturday (September 24) at
8.30pm.

In Time tells the story of Lerumo, played by Aubrey Mmakola, a gold miner who works on a mine far away from his wife Amanda and daughter Bokamoso, played by Mpule Matlhola. Despite the distance between them, Lerumo is a loving father who spares nothing to show up for his child.

- Advertisement -

“Lerumo is a superhero. He does not want his daughter to end up being just an ordinary person. He’ll do
anything and everything to make sure that her dreams become a reality,” says actor Aubrey Mmakolo about the lead character he plays.

Each of the films in the Fathers Matter series seeks to incorporate values-based storylines that encourage viewers to engage with key themes. In this film, Lerumo is a powerful example of a father who, despite facing financial challenges and being far away from his daughter, has instilled in her a deep sense of her own self-worth that is rooted in his love for her.

“I resonate with the story because personally, I had a father who worked really hard. Most of the time I
would only see him briefly in the morning, and then briefly when he came back in the late hours of the night from work,” says director, Rea Rangaka. “As a child, fostering a close relationship between a child and a parent is difficult because they aren’t always there,” he adds.

- Advertisement -

“Changing perceptions and behaviours around fatherhood can only be done as a collective effort involving thousands, if not millions, of South Africans. So much so that Heartlines hopes to see 5 million men, and several million women, young adults and children, get involved in the biggest campaign of its kind in Africa by watching the films and engaging in conversations about the topics they broach,” says Garth Japhet, the CEO and founder of Heartlines.

To watch In Time, tune into SABC 2 on Saturday 24 September at 20:30. The film will also be available for streaming at a later stage, via the Fathers Matter website. To find out more about the films and download the discussion guides, go to www.fathersmatter.org.za.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Please help us to keep on publishing news that brings Hope in Jesus:

>> Donate  >> Become a Super Subscriber

VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/gatewaynews100

COMMENTING GUIDELINES
You are welcome to engage with our articles by making comments [in the Comments area below] that add value to a topic or to engage in thoughtful, constructive discussion with fellow readers. Comments that contain vulgar language will be removed. Hostile, demeaning, disrespectful, propagandistic and off-topic comments may also be moved. This is a Christian website and if you wish to vent against Christian beliefs you have probably come to the wrong place and your comments may be removed. Ongoing debates and repetitiveness will not be tolerated. You will also disqualify yourself from commenting if you engage in trolling.

Comments are closed.


Click banner for more info