Johannesburg - Many South African children grow up in homes without their biological fathers.
In a bid to encourage men to be part of their children’s lives, Heartlines, which has been behind successful social impact films such as Beyond the River, is launching a new film series called Fathers Matter, which will begin airing on SABC2 on Saturday (17 September).
Heartlines, a South African-based NGO that aims to be part of addressing some of the issues facing society, hopes to see five million men – and society at large – getting involved in the biggest campaign of its kind in Africa.
This is as the project, in collaboration with the SABC, is aimed at encouraging fathers and men to be part of a movement of being positively involved in the lives of children, Garth Japhet, the CEO and founder of Heartlines, said.
“Can you imagine a South Africa where more fathers and father figures are positively involved in the lives of their children? What would happen if more and more men, uncles, grandfathers, sports coaches, Sunday school teachers, school teachers and others play an encouraging role in the lives of children who have no father in their home?”
Japhet believes that the topic of fatherhood is an emotive one for many South Africans. He noted that studies have shown that there are numerous benefits – for children, mothers and fathers themselves – where fathers are positively present in the life of a child.
“Father involvement has also proven to cause a decline in gender-based violence. While the narrative is already shifting, much remains to be done,” Japhet said.
“This is why Heartlines wants to inspire and encourage men – and society at large – to be part of a movement of fathers who are positively involved in the lives of children.”
The Heartlines Fathers Matter Film Series aims to serve as a catalyst for this, with the first film premiering on Saturday at 8.30 on SABC2.
The six short films will be broadcast weekly, one at a time, over a period of six weeks, and will be supported by radio discussions around the fatherhood-related themes covered in the films.
The films will also be available for streaming on the TelkomONE website or app.
“Through compelling storytelling, the films explore the complexities around being a father – and being fathered,” Japhet said.
The short films star local actors such as Aubrey Mmakola, Mpule Matlhola, Ebenhaezer Dibakwane, Lebohang Mthunzi, Pascaline Phale, Jacques Blignaut, Tracey-Lee Olivier, Thuli Nduvane, Unathi Guma, Tshepo Maseko, Bradley Olivier, Lorcia Cooper Kumalo and many others.
While Heartlines is eager for the nation to see the films, it is even more excited to involve South Africans in the Fathers Matter movement, Japhet said.
“Changing perceptions and behaviours around fatherhood can only be done as a collective effort involving thousands, if not millions of South Africans, so much so that Heartlines hopes to see five million men and several million women, young adults and children, get involved in the biggest campaign of its kind in Africa by watching the films and engaging in conversations on the topics broached in the films.”
There will also be discussion guides on the website to help facilitate these conversations for those who would like to get a group together to watch the films.
Anyone who would like to be involved in reshaping the narrative about South African fathers can visit the Fathers Matter website for more information.
About Heartlines
Heartlines is a social and behaviour change organisation that encourages people to live out positive values. The NPO does this through its projects, which include producing films and multimedia resources that aim to spark conversations around values and equip people to live out these values. Heartlines further facilitates values-based training, workshops and motivational talks for companies, organisations and groups.