OPINION: Feel good story is example of true humanity and love

DEAR Editor;

I enjoyed reading Tebuho Zongwana’s feel good story about Gebregziabher Fitwi Berhe (Gabriel) and his ‘mother’ Sizakele Gumede in the Herald recently.

It was an example of true humanity and love. And of course there are few of those in comparison to all the bad news.

I was also pleased to recently see a young black father sitting opposite the Department of Labour in the shade cuddling and feeding his little baby. I presume the mom was inside taking care of UIF.

Although I don’t want to stereotype, previously African men would rarely be seen in public taking an active role, and as I drove around the corner, he was helping the mother of his child/wife to cross the road, holding her hand and it was so refreshing to see.

I’ve heard in the Indian culture a woman must follow behind a man in public and the word for husband in Sanskit means owner! In fact all men should shift their mindset by reversing roles when it comes to caring for children.

Ask any mom and she will tell you how emotionally, physically and mentally taxing it is doing the greater part in caring for homework, projects, sick children, appointments, etc.

I often see men taking their babies to the clinics in Andreasen Street or walking them to daycare down the road.

It seems we might be slowly getting there. My mom had four sons and they were raised to do whatever needed to be done in the home. Today they are great fathers who wash dishes, cook, clean, wipe bottoms and do the necessary.

Changing how we raise our boys now will most definitely affect the men they will turn out to be.

Men who have been taught to respect their mothers and sisters and not to be embarrassed to do jobs only girls are supposed to do. And who will then respect all females and reduce GBV and femicide.

OPTIMISTIC

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram