Rethinking Fatherhood, Gender, and Masculinity in South Africa: A Symposium on Youth Perspectives

The symposium featured input from institutions such as Wits' Developmental Pathways to Health Research Unit, the University of Cape Town’s Children’s Institute, the Human Sciences Research Council and the Office of the Deputy Minister for Correctional Services. Non-profit partners, including Afrika Tikkun, FAMSA, and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, contributed valuable community perspectives to the discussions.

The day began with readings by four students from Alexandra Secondary School, Lesego, Thoriso, Katlego and Lefa. Their words expressed both pain and hope, capturing what fatherhood means to South Africa’s youth. “We just want fathers who are there for us,” said Thoriso. The reflections were a crucial reminder that conversations about fatherhood must start with centering children’s voices.

Lereko Mfono, Fathers Matter Project Coordinator and host for the day, affirmed this by saying, “This report is about hearing from the relevant voices as projected through the Fathers Matter programme, and is an important step towards our goal of using the power of story to support the positive and active role of fathers or men in the lives of children.”

Amplifying children’s voices on fatherhood

Heartlines CEO, Dr Garth Japhet and Head of Research at Heartlines, Livhuwani Maphorogo shared the context and key findings from the the report. People from some of the different practice areas at Heartlines then shared how they've seen the importance of the message of Fathers Matter expressed in their different areas – from ECD to faith-based commmunities and even in Heartlines' edutainment productions. 

A panel of cross-sector experts then shared their responses to the research. The panel featured representatives from public health, education, social development and child advocacy. Researcher Pamela Maluleke, Louise Batty, founder of youth-based NGO Keep The Dream196, and government representatives Likho Bottoman (Education) and Kgomotso Rakgoale (Social Development) shared their insights. The panel also included children’s rights experts Dr Shlaine L’Etang and Tsedale Kelbessa.

They reflected on how the research revealed deep gaps between policy and lived experience, emphasising the need for schools and communities to be safe spaces where children can express themselves freely and men can engage without fear or judgment. Much of the discussion focused on educating people across the board about key policies and fostering collaboration between sectors, including government and practitioners (such as psychologists and NGOs), to ensure interventions effectively reach children.

Building awareness of fatherhood’s role in shaping young lives

A third panel featured family lawyer Katleho Mokhosi, trauma and wellness sounsellor Tom Jordi, social development specialist Matsetsebale Tleane, and writer and storyteller Mike Dzova, and focused on tackling gender-based violence (GBV) in schools. The panel explored the emotional, social and legal dimensions of fatherhood, highlighting how father absence can fuel cycles of anger and violence among young people. Mike noted, “You cannot change someone you haven’t equipped with knowledge.” The discussion then focused on the need for supportive structures that empower fathers, youth, and communities to rethink fatherhood, gender identities and masculinity.

Katleho shared that the law can play a part in creating these systemic structures to support fathers, both married and unmarried, and outlined sections 20 and 21 of the Parental Responsibilities and Rights of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 that have implications for father-child involvement, contact, maintenance and a father's role in his child’s life. 

The power of storytelling: Fatherhood takes the stage

One of the most powerful moments was the performance of a excerpt from Fatherhood, a play recently on show at the Johannesburg Market Theatre, written by Mike Dzova and directed by Archie Oupa Matsetela. The play follows four boys raised by single mothers who are searching for identity while grappling with grief, anger and toxic masculinity. Though only a snippet was performed, it echoed key themes from the research report and gave voice to the realities many children face when growing up without fathers.

Social fathers play an important role in shaping young people’s identities, influencing them both positively and negatively. Mike explained that Fatherhood reflects the role of fathers and the environments that raise children in their absence. He also highlighted that while mothers play a vital role in caring for children, fathers are equally important for a child’s development. The performance showed how communities affected by fatherlessness, poverty and violence can both protect and harm, resonating deeply with the audience.

Imagining change and re-imagining sectors for children

In the afternoon, Sibongiseni Tshabalala facilitated an interactive session titled Imagining Change: Re-imagining Our Sectors for South Africa’s Children. This session involved cross-sector discussions that focused on brainstorming how to respond to the research findings at different levels of the socio-ecological model.

Participants focused on the level most relevant to their expertise, discussing interventions at individual, interpersonal, community, organisational and societal levels. The discussions aimed to identify what works, what needs change and what new ideas or partnerships could address fatherhood, masculinity and gender roles. Suggestions included strengthening school-family collaborations, involving faith leaders in accountability programmes, and expanding community dialogues on GBV.

A call for accountability and presence

Participants also reflected on structural challenges, noting that global funding priorities often do not reflect local needs. One group observed, “Policies must be grounded in the realities of our communities.” While another group noted that we all have a part to play: “We may have different roles, but each of us provides light and warmth like the sun. Our job is to create a healthy, loving environment where children can thrive.”

This symposium was a collective call to challenge families, institutions and society to respond with empathy and action. It was important to have a cross-sector discussion because change cannot happen in silos; there needs to be communication and collaboration across sectors for effective interventions, policies and practices to be carried out.

In her closing remarks, Zamabongo Mojalefa, Fathers Matter Project Lead, encouraged everyone to keep the momentum beyond the event, saying that “accountability must be taught to fathers”. As one of the students, Lefa, reflected, “I wish the country could change. I wish men could change.” His words captured both the pain of growing up without present fathers and the hope that transformation is still within reach.