Cool dads for sure
In what can only be described as the coolest event of the year, fathers young and old came together to spend quality time with their children.
The I Am A Cool Dad picnic and fun day drew countless fathers from Ekurhuleni to the picnic and fun day held in KwaThema on Saturday.
The day was dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of fathers who are actively involved in their children’s lives.
Traditional games like moraba-raba, fighting sticks and mgusha where played by the children as the beaming fathers looked on.
Founder of the I Am A Cool Dad initiative, Bongani Luvalo, was inspired to start the movement after noticing the growing trend in absent fathers.
“Most psychological setbacks in children are directly proportional to the increase in absent fathers,” he says.
He hopes that young fathers will realise the impact that their absence and presence has on their children.
“Several studies have shown that young growing boys become aggressive and unruly due to the lack of a fatherly figure within their household. They decide to join gangs and get involved in various criminal activities as this makes them feel needed and a part of a family unit,” he added.
Hundreds of children came to the park, many without their fathers wondering what the event was about.
“It broke my heart to hear some of the children say they did not know where their fathers were, many simply stared blankly at me when I asked,” he recalled.
This was affirmation again that there is much work that needs to be done in preaching the gospel of fatherhood.
The fathers wore their “Cool Dad” T-shirts with the children wearing “I Have A Cool Dad” T-shirts.
Cool dad, Sphume Mabena, father of twins, said the day was a great initiative that should spread far and wide.
“I am happy to have shared such a wonderful day with my girls, as a father I have a duty from God to be present in their lives,” he said.
Bongani’s message to fathers, especially those between 21 and 35 years, is simple: “Be there for your children so they can have the confidence to face the world knowing that they are loved”.
