Africa: In celebration of Father’s Day, the Free State Provincial Government celebrated Fatherhood In Modern Society – a discussion on the role of men in modern society.
Panellists included the Director-General of the Free State Provincial Government Kopung Ralikontsane, Madala Ntombela, a member of the National Assembly and radio personality Thuso Motaung.
Many of the problems bedevilling the society, argued Mr Ntombela, were a result of men not playing an active role in the lives of their children, particularly their sons.
By being absent in their lives, children seek direction and guidance from other people, oftentimes dodgy characters.
“Our problems started with absent fathers. As a father, you are bestowed with a leadership role in the life of your child. One of the most critical things that a child needs as they grow up is the leadership of the father. We are therefore making a call today to those who never took responsibility and ran away from their children to play active roles in the lives of their kids,” Mr Ntombela said.
He added that the failure of men to guide their children would lead them towards a wrong path of crime and substance abuse.
“We know of children as young as 14 who have committed horrible crimes like murder, and the reasons are that we lack positive role models in our society. Our sons are languishing in prisons because we have failed to play an active role in their lives. We are therefore making a call for men to stand up because our nation is dying,” he said.
The Director-General said children need their fathers’ guidance to help them navigate life’s many pitfalls.
“We want to create model children, children who can emulate their fathers. You are not exclusive as a father. Be a father without a title. Kids need to express themselves but need guidance. Be a leader without a title in your house,” he said.
Mr Ralikontsane also encouraged men who are going through difficult times not to allow life’s pressures to dissuade them from being fathers to their children.
“Fathers must understand their roles even in hardships. Children today are opinionated, so do not curtail their opinions,” said the Director-General.
Former MEC Khoabane berated leaders who, instead of being fatherly to young women, woo them with money for their own selfish needs.
Also present was former MEC and Advisor to the Premier, Sakhiwo Bellot, as well as Reverend Morris Sekhutleleng and Apostle Saki Thapong.
