Playing Dad – Heartlines

Mpendulo (Vincent Mahlape) is a no-nonsense, old-school carpenter who suddenly finds himself in charge of his young son, Ndumiso. As Mpendulo fumbles his way through snack times and storybooks, he discovers that play isn't just for kids; it’s the glue that binds fathers and sons. But just as their bond begins to grow, a crisis at Ndumiso’s ECD centre puts everything at risk.

Will Mpendulo break tradition and step into a role few fathers dare to take on?

Playing Dad is one of the Heartlines Fathers Matter films and is in isiZulu, with subtitles in English.

Looking for the film discussion guides? Click here.

Watch the movie

If you need to use the film offline for a showing or discussion group, you can download it below. Please note that copyright applies to all the Fathers Matter films.

Playing Dad Full Film

212.613 MB

Hosting a viewing for Playing Dad?

We have some great questions to help you continue the conversation once you've watched the film.

Dimakatso says to Mpendulo, “I didn’t ask you to watch the child, I asked you to play with him.” What do you think the difference is?
What was Mpendulo’s relationship with his father like?Do most people father in the same way they were fathered?
How is it best to discipline a child? What do you think of Mpendulo’s dad’s approach?
What lessons about play did Mpendulo learn by watching the teachers and children at the ECD centre?
What did you notice about the way that Sipho, the ECD teacher, interacted with Ndumiso?
How did the relationship between Mpendulo and his son change in the film?
Name one or two things you learnt about playing with your child from this film.

Looking for help?

If you or someone you know was impacted by this film and would like help to take the next steps in their journey, there are many different organisations in South Africa doing great work to support fathers and families.

Click on the link below to find out more about some of these support organisations.

Get support

Read our interview with director Eric Mogale

Meet Eric Mogale, the director of Manskap and Playing Dad, from the Heartlines’ Fathers Matter Film Series. Eric has worked as a creative director, director and producer for a number of well-known South African productions.