In an effort to keep children engaged in safe and constructive activities during the school holidays, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), in partnership with Heartlines: Fathers Matter and Emmaus Community Centre, hosted a school holiday programme for at least 60 boys in Duduza on September 29.

The programme forms part of the department’s 365 Child Protection Campaign, which seeks to strengthen the protection and well-being of children throughout the year, including during school holiday periods when children may be more exposed to various social risks.

The initiative provided the boys with an opportunity to participate in meaningful activities aimed at promoting positive behaviour, responsible decision-making and healthy relationships, while encouraging them to remain engaged in their communities and away from the streets.

According to social work supervisor at the GDSD Duduza Service Point, Lesego Mathebula, the programme used a movie screening and review facilitated through Heartlines: Fathers Matter to explore the important role of social fathers and fathers in the lives of children.

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The film Manskap, released in 2022, explores fatherlessness, masculinity, and the pressures facing young men in crime-affected communities. It addresses the impact of absent fathers and encourages positive male role models.

“This initiative forms part of our 365-day Child Protection Campaign,” said Mathebula. “We targeted beneficiaries in foster care from our foster care database, as well as children attending the Emmaus Drop-In Centre.”

Mathebula explained that the centre is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) funded by the department to provide services to orphaned and vulnerable children from Duduza and Tsakani townships.

She added that the session placed particular emphasis on redefining masculinity as a source of encouragement, responsibility, emotional support and positive leadership, rather than viewing fatherhood and masculinity solely through the lens of financial provision.

The Heartlines drama film was used as a tool to demonstrate how the active and positive presence of a father figure can contribute to building children’s confidence, self-esteem and ability to pursue positive interests.

Through facilitated discussions and personal story-sharing, the boys were encouraged to reflect on the themes presented in the Manskap drama film and relate it to their own experiences and communities.

According to Desmond Chauke from Heartlines: Fathers Matter, the interactive session created a safe space for the boys to discuss their understanding of healthy masculinity, fatherhood, relationships and personal responsibility.

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“This programme challenges traditional stereotypes that portray, primarily, fatherhood as a biological responsibility, instead promoting a more holistic understanding of fatherhood as an emotional, relational and nurturing role,” said Chauke.

Reflecting on the film, Fana Mahlangu from Heartlines: Fathers Matter stated that the drama film encouraged the boys to recognise that being a man is not defined by financial provision, but also by emotional availability, care, guidance, accountability and positive involvement in the lives of others.

Through initiatives such as these, the department continues to encourage children and young men to make positive choices, develop healthy relationships and recognise their role in building safer and more supportive communities.

The boys were also encouraged to envision themselves as future fathers, caregivers and responsible community members who can contribute positively to their families and communities by demonstrating supportive, responsible and nurturing masculinity.