A South African-founded platform built to support the parents of neurodivergent children has the Global Champion 2025 for Learning and Education Award.

Global (06 May 2025) — A South African founded start-up named Dalza has been awarded as the Global Champion 2025 for Learning & Education as bestowed by the World Summit Awards.

Founded by South African technology lawyer (and parent of a neurodiergent child) Robby Coehlo, Dalza was built to support the parents of neurodivergent children. It went live for the first time in 2024 locally, before expanding to parents and support systems around the world.

The platform was initially selected out of over 900 entries to become one of five winners in the Learning & Education Category. Following a pitch to the Grand Jury which took place at the WSA Global Congress in India, Dalza officially came out on top as the Global Champion 2025 for Learning & Education!

“Through Dalza, we adopted a paradigm shift from the current status quo by creating a platform and app which breaks down the silos between parents, educators, professionals and caregivers, enabling true collaboration, communication, feedback and ongoing, real-time tracking,” says Robby Coehlo.

“By enabling everybody to work together and access all the latest information about the child all in one place, a child is now able to receive truly personalised and holistic support. At the same time, we are empowering parents, putting them in control and enabling them to share the load in caring for their child.”

One in five children are neurodivergent; encompassing a range of conditions including as autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, high-potential, ADHD, epilepsy, speech or hearing difficulties, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, chromosomal differences, and many other learning or thinking differences.

These children often need additional support from parents and interventions from various professionals, which can be overwhelming for both them and their families. Traditional systems frequently operate in isolation, leading to inconsistent care, miscommunication, and missed opportunities for effective intervention and collaboration.

About the World Summit Awards

The WSA is the pre-eminent global competition for recognising leading best-practice solutions that tackle problems in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Having existed for 22 years with over 182 participating countries, each country nominates leading local innovations, which are then assessed through a global competition and 3 selection rounds with different international juries at each round.

Sources: Supplied—Robby Coehlo 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Leo Parker, the brave little lion fighting one of the rarest conditions on Earth, has finally found his lifesaving match.

South Africa (24 April 2025) – “It’s a perfect match!”… and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

After months of uncertainty, late nights filled with prayers and tireless hope echoing through hospital hallways and Facebook updates, Andrew and Tarryn Parker finally shared the news we’ve all been holding our breath for: a perfect stem cell donor has been found for their baby boy, Leo.

And just like that, the world got a little brighter.

Leo Parker, who we introduced you to in March, is no ordinary baby. At just 8 months old, he’s endured more medical challenges than most adults will face in a lifetime. Born with MECOM-associated syndrome, a condition so rare it’s barely recognised in global medical circles, Leo’s tiny body has been bravely battling complete bone marrow failure.

The simplest way to explain it (in the words of his incredible mom, who’s also a doctor) is that Leo’s “bone factory” isn’t working. The parts are faulty, and as a result, it’s not producing red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. That means no oxygen flow, no infection fighters, no way for wounds to heal. Leo has been relying on regular transfusions just to stay alive, while facing daily risks most of us couldn’t begin to imagine.

But now, that narrative is shifting… because Leo has a match.

In a Facebook post on 23 April, the Parkers wrote:

“After months of prayers, searching, and uncertainty… our hope has arrived. A perfect stem cell donor has been found for our precious son, Leo! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you… you’ve played a part in this miracle.”

They’re right, it is a miracle. But it’s also a reflection of something bigger: a community rallying together, complete strangers swabbing their cheeks and registering with DKMS in the hopes of being someone’s second chance.

And Leo’s story isn’t just about medical science or matched DNA , t’s about courage. His nickname, “the little lion,” couldn’t be more fitting. His smile, despite everything, has lit up rooms and social media feeds, inspiring thousands to register and take action. His story has reminded us of the power we all hold, the power to literally save lives.

The journey isn’t over, in fact, the hardest part still lies ahead. But this? This is the moment everything changed. Leo now has a fighting chance, and that changes everything.

To the Parker family, your courage is contagious.

To Leo, the littlest warrior with the loudest roar, we’re all cheering you on.

And to every person who swabbed, shared, supported or simply held this family in their hearts… you didn’t just raise awareness. You helped save a life.

Let’s not stop here. There are still children out there waiting for their miracle. You can be someone’s match. Visit dkms-africa.org and be the reason hope rises again.

Because today, hope found its voice. And it roared.

Sources: Andrew and Tarryn Parker

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Little Leo Parker is fighting a most rare fight at only 8 months old with a genetic disorder of which there are only just over 20 known cases in the world. The good news is that he can be cured should he find the correct donor (who might just be reading this right now).

Cape Town, South Africa (03 March 2025) — Little Leo Parker is fighting a most rare fight.

At just 8-months-old, Leo has already seen more medical specialists than most will see in a lifetime. Blood tests, transfusions, x-rays and procedures in abundance; for the little boy, these have all already been recurring characters in his life and his introduction to the world.

Leo has MECOM-associated syndrome. If you haven’t heard of it, that’s because it’s extremely rare. So rare that the geneticist Leo’s parents took him to hadn’t heard of it. It is so rare that there are only an estimated 23 known cases in the world, including Leo.

Leo’s parents share that the disorder causes complete bone marrow failure. To explain what the disorder impacts in simple terms, his mom, Tarryn Parker (a doctor herself), broke things down in the same way that she did to help her older son understand.

Essentially, Leo’s ‘bone factory’ (which produces the cells his blood needs) is defective. As such, the ‘factory’s’ parts are not working correctly, and the cells needed are not being produced.

As such, Leo’s bone marrow is no longer producing red (oxygen-carrying) and white blood cells (infection fighting) or platelets (which help wounds heal and bleeding stop).

“He is reliant on regular blood transfusions to prevent him from having a life-threatening bleed and is at constant risk of severe infection,” his parents explain.

The good news is that Leo can be cured. The hard news is, this is entirely dependent on finding the correct donor match.

“Leo’s only chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant,” his parents share, adding that there are currently no suitably matched donors on any national or international registries.

“This journey has been devastating and heartbreaking and we are pleading for your help.”

The Mighty Mack army has come together to stand behind the Parkers in their search for a match.

Like Leo’s parents, they are urging everyone who can to register as a bone marrow donor with DKMS and give Leo the chance at life.

Registering

Registering is nowhere near as complicated or time-consuming as one might assume. Good Things Guy’s Tyler has shared her own experience (which you can find here) for those who are curious about this initial step.

If you are between the ages of 18 – 55 and in general good health, you can request a swab kit at dkms-africa.org.

The Process

If you are a match, DKMS will contact you to begin the next steps. This includes a health check (where it’ll be confirmed whether you are the best match), followed by a peripheral blood stem cell donation (this is not a surgery) and then the bone marrow donation, which is a different procedure. You can find out more here. 

The more people who register, the more the odds lean in Leo’s favour.

Sources: Email Submission

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Former Miss South Africa/Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Tebow and her husband Tim are expecting their first child! South Africa can’t wait to welcome the tiny Tebow.

South Africa (17 January 2025) — “We’re over the moon to step into parenthood together!”, said a very excited Demi-Leigh Tebow (nee Nel-Peters) in sharing the news of her pregnancy. It’s a huge moment for the former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe, as well as for her husband, Tim, who are both eagerly awaiting the arrival of the tiny Tebow.

Demi-Leigh expressed her pregnancy as the answer to a prayer alongside a few adorable snaps of the parents-to-be.

This is the couple’s first child, and one South Africa can’t wait to welcome.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Demi-Leigh Tebow (@demitebow)

“Thank you, Jesus, for this incredible blessing and privilege of becoming a mom and dad. Thank you for entrusting us to raise one of Your precious children. We put our full trust in the plan and purpose You have for our child’s life,” shared Demi-Leigh.

“Thank you, everyone, for your kind words, heartfelt congratulations, and many prayers! We’ve heard it takes a village and we couldn’t be more grateful for the one that has gathered around us.”

Beyond being an icon and one of a handful of Miss South Africas’ to win the Miss Universe crown, Demi-Leigh is also a force of good to be reckoned with.

Alongside Tim, an NFL football star, the couple have embarked on numerous philanthropic pursuits largely through the Tim Tebow Foundation, including raising R4 million for vulnerable babies, children and their families in honour of Demi-Leigh’s 28th birthday.

Now, the couple will have a tiny Tebow of their own to share the love they both already have for little ones with.

Meanwhile, in other news that made South Africans pop the champagne recently, love won the ultimate fight when South Africa’s MMA star, Dricus du Plessis, took a knee and proposed to his longtime love, Vasti Spiller, in a moment that melted hearts across the nation.

Sources: Demi-Leigh Tebow

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The Identikidz programme returns once again, this Dezemba, to keep young beachgoers safe on busy beaches across Cape Town!

Cape Town, South Africa (04 December 2024) — As the summer sun, gorgeous weather and immaculate vibes beckon scores of families to Cape Town’s beaches over the December holidays, the City’s Identikidz programme is back to keep young beachgoers safe.

One of the most popular festive season safety interventions, last season, 133,730 children benefited from the programme while 302 lost youngsters were successfully reunited with their loved ones.

Simply put, the Identikidz programme registers and issues young beachgoers with tags (identification bands). The bands are available on arrival at participating beaches and have a unique serial number matched to a registration sheet that contains the contact details of their guardian/caregiver.

This way, if the children do become separated from their families on a busy beach, the Identikidz team can reunite them with their families quickly. The team also work closely with the provincial Department of Social Development and enforcement agencies, as well as SAPS. Additionally, the CACD Department will deploy 83 officials and close to 200 EPWP staff to team up with the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre.

However, parents and caregivers still have the responsibility of keeping a vigilant eye on their little ones. Identikidz is a fantastic resource, but as the City emphasises, it isn’t a babysitting service.

The Programme Dates:

• 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31 December 2024
• 1, 4, 5, 11 and 12  January 2025

Participating Beaches

• Big Bay
• Sea Point and surrounding area
• Silwerstroom
• Camps Bay
• Lagoon Beach
• Melkbosstrand
• Milnerton Beach
• Maiden’s Cove (26 December & 1 January only)
• Gordon’s Bay
• Strand
• Monwabisi
• Harmony Park
• Mnandi
• Muizenberg
• Fish Hoek
• Strandfontein

Sources: City of Cape Town—Supplied

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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“Even though you weren’t born in my tummy, you’ve always been in my heart.”

Heartwarming moment incoming! Tracey Brighton’s special message for her adopted daughter Olivia Rose on the radio made us smile for a mile:

Johannesburg, South Africa (04 December 2023) — Our hearts were ever-so warmed recently after we came across the very special message a mother shared for her daughter over the radio.

When radio host Shane Hunter of 919 asked the station’s listeners to share a message for the little ones in their lives who take up a big place in their hearts, Tracey Brighton knew her little girl deserved a wonderful shout-out.

However, behind the sweetest message Tracey Brighton shared for her 6-year-old daughter, Olivia Rose, was an even bigger message: love hardly requires being related to be just as powerful as any other kind of parental love!

In her message, she shares:

“Even though you weren’t born in my tummy, you’ve always been in my heart… you make me very proud to be your mommy,” before wishing her all the best for Grade 2. 

Tracey filmed Olivia’s touching reaction, and we’d be lying if we said our hearts weren’t melting (watch to the end)!

Speaking to Good Things Guy, Tracey shared a little of their story:

“I am a single mom by choice to this amazing little girl. In 2017 I finally made the decision to adopt after wanting to be a mom forever. Our process went quickly with the help of the best social worker ever. 

“In October 2017, my daughter and I were matched and two weeks later she came home with me when she was almost 8-months-old. Olivia knows she was never in my tummy but knows she was always in my heart. I’m her heart mommy.” 

Of her daughter, Tracey sings her praises:

“She is such an amazing little girl and has such a passion and talent for singing and dancing. She loves animals and would have a zoo at home if she could. She is such a girly girl and loves dressing up. My makeup and shoes did not last during lockdown since she claimed them all as her own.”

Her message to her daughter came at the perfect time too, due to big circumstances they’d endured the past year like losing a family member, moving home, Tracey starting a new job and of course, the shift to Grade 1 for Olivia Rose. But little Olivia Rose is said to have coped with all of it like a superstar.

“I love her more than anything in this world…the video clip was me just wanting her to know just how much I love her.”—Tracey Brighton.

Sources: GTG Interview

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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A wardrobe malfunction turns into a triumph of kindness in this Christmas advert, and it’s a cracker of a reminder that we can all do our part to help others shine whether we’re helping out with an upcoming festive concert, or simply seeing the opportunity to lend a hand to someone who needs it:

South Africa (16 November 2023) — The Good Things Guy team are loving this year’s Christmas advert roll-out, and we’re shamelessly slipping more and more into festive mode with each passing day. While a recent ad might have made some feel peckish, it reminded us that festive concert season is also upon us, standing sweetly as one of the most special parts of the festive run.

Woolworths UK’s Christmas advert tells the creative story of little ones adorning a feast of costumes as they gear up for their festive concert.

That is, all except one unfortunate apple, who en route to the show, leaves her costume behind at the bus stop.

As anyone who has ever been a part of a school concert of any kind knows, losing a costume or actually breaking a leg is the stuff of stressful, sleepless nights (mostly for parents and teachers).

However, Little Apple’s friends soon come to the rescue and create a new costume for her, helping her transform into the most exciting star of the show—the Christmas cracker!

The message left behind is a cracker of a reminder to be kind, lend a hand and do your part in helping others shine this festive season in the concert that is our own lives.

We also have no doubt that there are going to be tons of wonderful performances from the little South Africans across the country as they wrap up the school year, and we want to cheer for as many of them as possible.

So, if your little ones have an upcoming end-of-year concert, we’d love to feel part of the audience and invite you to tag Good Things Guy in those festive concert videos to put the cheer in festive cheer.

Sources: YouTube; GTG 

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The education department wants to close Amanzi Primary School because it only has 114 learners

Kariega, South Africa (15 November 2023) — Parents are putting up a fight to save Amanzi Primary School, located on a farm in Kariega. The Eastern Cape Department of Education wants to close the school because it only has 114 enrolled grade R to 7 learners and it is deemed “small and unviable”. But parents say numbers are increasing at the school.

According to the department’s rationalisation programme, primary schools must have a minimum of 135 learners and secondary schools 200. A school closure however should not mean that learners have to travel for more than 45 minutes one way to a primary school and 75 minutes for a secondary school, “given the distance to be travelled and the condition of the roads”, the guidelines state.

In a letter to the school, education circuit manager Sebenzile Hoko said the department would meet parents to start “the process of closure and merging your school”.

But last week, at a meeting with district officials, parents flatly refused to accept the school’s closure.

“This is the only primary school on this farm and it is a beacon of hope,” said parent Ntozakhe Tshazibane.

He said it was inspiring that two staff members had been students at the school 27 years ago.

“In 2016, it had only 25 learners. But now, they’re 114. That’s growth. You can’t stifle this growth,” he said.

Parents fear that requiring learners to travel to town would lead to higher dropout rates and that their children are afraid to travel to urban areas.

School principal Buyiswa Qundele said this year the school had taken in 39 learners when Sindawonye Primary, about 19km away, was closed by the department.

“We are now surprised and shocked by their new move,” she said.

She said the 114 figure excluded seven more learners who do not have identity documents. “I am trying my best to have the Department of Home Affairs assist,” she said.

Eastern Cape education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said Amanzi was not the only school facing closure in Nelson Mandela Bay. “This is a national policy that must be adhered to,” he said.

Sources: GroundUp

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Sections of the Basic Conditions of Employment and the Unemployment Insurance Fund acts declared unconstitutional

(Johannesburg, South Africa 26 October 2023) — Sections of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund Act have been declared unconstitutional because, when it comes to “maternity leave”, they unfairly discriminate against mothers and fathers, surrogate parents, and those who adopt children.

Johannesburg High Court Judge Roland Sutherland suspended the declaration of invalidity for two years to give Parliament time to “cure the defects”.

However, in the meantime, Judge Sutherland has ruled that all parents are entitled to four months “parental leave” and, if they contribute, to UIF benefits.

The ruling has to be confirmed by the Constitutional Court, and the Minister of Labour may note an intention to apply for leave to appeal it.

Read the judgment here

The matter was brought to court by a Polokwane couple, Werner and Ika van Wyk, Sonke Gender Justice, and the Commission for Gender Equality, with several other organisations acting as amicus curiae.

The sole respondent was the Minister of Labour, the custodian of the BCEA.

The contested sections are in Chapter 3 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act which regulates the minimum leave that an employer must grant to employees who become parents. It provides for a total of four consecutive months of maternity leave for a birth mother and ten days paternity leave for a father from the date the child is born.

It also provides for “gender-neutral” leave for parents who adopt children. One of the parents is entitled to consecutive ten weeks and the other parent to ten days leave, with the election being left up to the individuals.

With regards to children born via surrogacy, the Act guarantees leave for the genetically linked parent, however, it says nothing about the surrogate.

The Act does not require an employer to pay any remuneration, but parents can claim from the UIF if they contribute.

Judge Sutherland, in his ruling this week, said it was plain and uncontroversial that there was a differentiation made between mothers and fathers, and between a birth mother and other mothers or parents.

He said the applicants argued that this was unconstitutional in that it was unfair discrimination and violated the dignity of all parents.

“Suggestions as to how equality and dignity might be achieved varies. The Van Wyk’s suggest that both parents share the four months leave according to their election. The Gender Commission and Sonke Gender suggest both parents each have an equal and contemporaneous leave entitlement,” he said.

The Minister argued that the present suite of benefits compared favourably with other countries with similar socio-economic profiles, that the Act did not violate any constitutional guarantees. The National Employment Association of South Africa (an amicus) also opposed the relief sought as being “bad for business” and best left to Parliament.

“The crux of the case is about unequal treatment of persons,” Judge Sutherland said.

He said, save for breastfeeding, both parents were able to provide comprehensive care to their child and it was not cogent to contend that the BCEA does not discriminate on the grounds of gender.

The judge said from a deconstruction of the policy choices made in the Act, it could be inferred that the framers had a particular perspective of a family and had excluded “other modalities” which were no less legitimate.

While the Act was not an instrument to regulate family life or prescribe norms by which people should organise their lives, it must find application in a way that is in harmony with the Children’s Act and the Constitution.

“Upon the premise that the leave entitlements and duration of leave are provided for the purpose of the nurture of a baby or toddler, not merely to allow a literal physiological recovery from giving birth, it seems plain that the distinctions made in the BCEA are at odds with the objectives of the Constitution and the norms inherent in the Childrens’ Act.”

The first irrationality, the judge said, was the provision of a ten-week period of leave for commissioning and adoptive “mothers”, rather than a 16-week period leave provided for a birth mother.

“Why dock off six weeks because they did not experience physical childbirth? What impelling rationale could inform the need for the distinction to be made … No legitimate governmental objective is discernible. In my view the discrimination is unfair. Mothers in all three categories ought to be entitled to the same period of leave for the purpose of child nurture.”

Judge Sutherland said, to accord a “paltry” ten days leave to a father “speaks to a mindset that regards the father’s involvement in early parenting as marginal”.

He noted that a major argument advanced in the case was that it was unfair on the mother to be deemed and doomed to be the principal caregiver, and that the “burden” of childcare should be equally shared with the father.

“A father who chooses to share in this experience for his own well-being, no less than that of his children and their mother, can indeed complain that the absence of recognition in the BCEA is unfair discrimination.”

Judge Sutherland said the example of the Van Wyk family was an illustration of this very denial. Mr Van Wyk is a salaried employee. Mrs Van Wyk runs her own business. They preferred Mrs van Wyk to return to work as soon as possible and for her husband to be the primary caregiver, but he was only entitled to ten days paternity leave and no UIF.

“The value of this example is to illustrate that their family model is not catered for by the BCEA and no sound reason exists for it not to do so.”

He said Parliament must “get to work to eliminate these equalities”.

In the interim, the proposal advanced by the Van Wyk’s “that all parents of whatever stripe, enjoy four consecutive months of parental leave collectively” was appropriate, the judge ruled.

Sources: GroundUp

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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A parent workshop in Alexandra is spotlighting single dads who have taken on primary caregiving roles; breaking stereotypes of absent father narratives and inspiring men in their community to step up.

Alexandra, South Africa (16 August 2023) — While stereotypes of the ‘absent father’ would have most people believing that men are unwilling or even incapable of being the primary, and in some cases, the sole caregiver to their children, more single dads in Alexandra Township are showing up for their kids, breaking cycles and inspiring other men to take on more in the process.

Bertha Muchadeyi, family and social services leader at Rays of Hope Alexandra, an Alex-based NPO that has supported the Alex community for over 30 years, shares that the organisation has seen a rise in the number of single fathers attending its parent workshops in search of guidance and support, which in turn inspires younger boys to see themselves in caregiving roles too.

“When the single dads come to the workshops every week, they have a safe space for them to share and offload. They get to talk about the issues they’re facing, and that, I believe, has made a huge difference in the number of men embracing fatherhood as single, primary caregivers,” says Bertha.

“The more they feel empowered as fathers, the more they want to honour their roles as dads and play an active part in raising their children the right way,” she adds.

Single Dads Break Stigmas and Do Their Best

Stanley Nhlapo lives in Alex and is a single father to four children. Following his wife’s passing in 2010, Stanley became the sole caregiver.

For him, the hardest part is having to explain to his kids why they have to do without a new pair of shoes.

“It hurts me as a father to have to tell them they need to wait until we have more money, but I know it’s important to teach them patience and understanding, and for them to realise that we are not as privileged as others. 

He adds: “I do my best to make sure they don’t fall into bad habits or do the bad things they see other people doing just so they can get things.” 

Bronkos Khoza, a single father living in Alex, also began looking after his now teenage son when his wife fell ill and lost her sight shortly after. As she no longer lives in their home, Khoza took on the primary caregiving role, which for him meant taking on a world of new tasks and responsibilities.

“I need to make sure my child eats, so I learned to cook. He needs clean clothes for school, so I learned to wash and iron his clothes, and I make sure he looks presentable for school every day,” says Khoza.

“I do my best and encourage him to work hard and stay in school, and I remind him that this is how he will be successful and have a better life one day,” he continues.

Another father doing his best under challenging circumstances is Alfred Chauke. While he is now an elderly single father to two children, he has been solely looking after his children since they were in nappies after their mother left the family without warning one day.

His biggest wish is for his children to go to school, but because they were abandoned without their birth certificates, they have been unable to attend.

He currently recycles plastic bottles to make a living or does ‘piece jobs’ where available.

Rays of Hope is currently assisting Chauke with appealing to the Department of Education for help with placing his children in school and has also secured funding for repairs to his home. The organisation also assists both Chauke and Khoza as well as many others with monthly groceries, in addition to providing them with mental and emotional support and guidance at the weekly parenting workshops.

“It’s not easy for these dads, although it’s good to see them taking a more active role in their children’s lives instead of simply walking away when things get tough,” says Bertha who knows that this is the case for so many families. 

“But with access to the right support and advice, they can be good fathers and raise a generation of well-rounded, successful young men and women.”

For more information on Rays of Hope, visit here.

Sources: Supplied

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