Instead of going out to parties
Dads in the Picture is the brainchild of Meshack Kekana, inspired by his realisation that the changing face of communities has meant core relationships are no longer nurtured as people move away from rural areas and into the cities.
It is a registered nongovernmental organisation with the sole purpose of providing a platform for South African men to spend time with their children and grow into the role of being a father.
“The extended family that shielded couples and their children and offered up confidants and mentors is often no longer possible,” said Kekana. “Men who had never played a parenting role found themselves faced with the daunting task of learning, implementing and maintaining parental relationships.
“I realised that this situation would only get worse and understood the emptiness of a father’s absence.”
The organisation reaches out to men across South Africa and educates them about how their lives and activities impact on their children and family.
Many of those the organisation helps are from previously disadvantaged communities and cannot afford basic amenities, so Dads in the Picture provides many of its services and activities for free.
As a result of the programme, men are learning how to become more open to sharing and learning. The group uses mobile phone applications such as Twitter, Whatsapp and Facebook to encourage men to share experiences and to update them on upcoming events.
The organisation works with Families South Africa and Suid Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie to provide counselling and mediation services. It forms partnerships with businesses to host picnics, camp-outs and seminars.
“Dads in the Picture is about getting men together and raising their awareness,” said Kekana. “Working with men from different backgrounds and their ‘tigers don’t cry’ attitude is a daily challenge!
“However, we [now] have men who have started actively listening to their children and who come to camp out with their children instead of going to parties.”