By Heartlines
How would South Africa be different if more fathers and father figures were positively involved in
children’s lives? What would happen if more men, uncles, grandfathers, sports coaches, youth
leaders, schoolteachers and others played an encouraging role for children who don’t have a father
at home?
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We would like to invite churches and faith communities to imagine a reality where “God will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers” — Micah 4:6.
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The topic of fatherhood is an emotive one for many South Africans. Studies show that there are numerous
benefits – for children, mothers and fathers themselves – when fathers are positively present. Father
involvement has also proven to cause a decline in gender-based violence. While the narrative is already
shifting, much remains to be done.
This is why Heartlines wants to inspire and encourage men – and society at large – to be part of a
movement of fathers who are positively involved in children’s lives. To do this, the Heartlines’ Fathers
Matter initiative will be launching six 30-minute films that will premiere on Saturday 17 September at 8.30pm on SABC 2. The films will be broadcast weekly, for a period of six weeks, and will be supported by radio discussions around the fatherhood-related themes covered in the films. They will also be repeated on Thursdays.
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The films will also be available for streaming on SABC’s video-on-demand app, TelkomONE (https://www.telkomone.tv/en)
The six films star local actors and were locally produced, by local directors. Through compelling storytelling, the films traverse the nuanced landscape of what it means to be a father – and to be fathered – in South Africa.
While Heartlines is eager for the nation to see the films, we are even more excited to involve South Africans in the Fathers Matter movement. 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 get involved by watching the films and engaging in conversations on the topics broached in the films.
If you’d like to get a group together, there is a Bible-based discussion guide to help facilitate these conversations – visit the website for more information or download the guide at https://www.heartlines.org.za/fathers-matter/films
Anyone who would like to be involved in reshaping the narrative about South African fathers can
visit the Fathers Matter website for more information: www.fathersmatter.org.za or email fathersmatter@heartlines.org.za
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