[PICS] Playing Dad Cape Town film launch

Father absence removes one of the first buffers against violence – a daily presence where anger is noticed, slowed down, named, and shaped before it hardens.

We know about the uniforms and stationery, but one of the most important things we can help our kids prepare is their emotional toolkit. In South African classrooms and playgrounds, children learn more than the curriculum. They learn how to handle friendships, face challenges, and build skills like communication, empathy, resilience, and problem-solving. 

At a Fathers Matter workshop in Orange Farm, Heartlines facilitator, Gosiame Masike, stood at the front guiding conversations with warmth, energy and easy laugher. “Bo baba,” he began, scanning the room, “what do you do to give your child an identity?”

There was a time when religious spaces avoided talking about gender justice. But over the years, more faith communities have recognised that silence actually reinforces harm. 

Through initiatives involving young people, communities, education and law enforcement, dedicated South Africans are working to reduce violence and inspire empathy and trust.