POLOKWANE – The adage ‘being a good father starts with presence, not presents’ is one which rings especially true for Nyiko Masango, a father who realised the true meaning and felt it close to his heart.
“I was married for three and a half years before my wife and I separated. I lived in Tzaneen and she in Durban and I moved there when she gave birth. I was working from home and my child and I developed a special and strong bond. After my wife and I separated I moved back to Tzaneen and she brought my son to Tzaneen as well at the end of the year but he had to live with her family. The original agreement was that I could see him over weekends but that never materialised, however. She took him back to Durban with her and I haven’t seen him for months now.”
Nyiko explained he went to social workers and the children’s court with the aim to see his son and this inspired him to begin raising awareness for fathers who are in the same situation.
“You hear a lot about fathers that do not want to provide for their children, but there are just as many fathers who want to provide and care for their children, but the mothers deny them this right.”
In his bid to raise awareness, Nyiko, a fitness trainer with the nickname of Mr Dynamix, walked the 100 km between Polokwane and Tzaneen on Friday evening. He chose to walk through the night as there was less traffic. Aside from being a fitness trainer he is also a motivational speaker, life coach and reverend.
“It saddens me to see fathers give up on their children. The children suffer because of the issues between the parents and I want fathers to come and fight with me for paternal rights. We need to fight to stay involved in our childrens’ lives. We as fathers have a right,” he said.
