POLOKWANE – Celebrated worldwide in recognition of the contribution that fathers and father figures make in children’s lives, Father’s Day is a time to honour the special men in our lives and give recognition to the paternal bonds as well as the influence that fathers have in society.
Being a father brings with it a set of responsibilities and the ages at which dad’s undertake the responsibility of fatherhood varies.
The Polokwane Review spoke to fathers of varying ages to find out how they take on the responsibility of being a father.
Mokoni Hlungwani: As I grow up, so does my child. It will not be easy due to finances and I will have to work hard so that my daughter has something at the end of the day. This means having to deprive myself of a lot of things that require money for me to prioritise her life. Since I am no longer earning the same amount as I used to, I am forced to make yet another sacrifice. At the very least, I believe that getting a quality career (in the IT business) will make things easier.Sarel Nong: At the age I am now, being a father is getting tougher and more interesting. So many things have changed in my life since having two children that I have had to cut off daily activities that I had to do and give more of my time to them.Ntokozo Mhlanga: Becoming a father at this age has been great to me since I have a girlfriend who allows me to build a bond with my son and that is a wonderful feeling. The more time you spend with your son, the more your life revolves around him, including your daily decisions, future plans, and so on. I discovered that you don’t have to be wealthy to be responsible as a child requires love and support from you as a role model. Children always reflect who we are or how we portray ourselves.Walter Masedi: I think that fatherhood becomes more difficult as we grow older because the demands multiply. I sometimes find myself looking at my children and thinking that I have not done enough for them, which is the most complicated matter since I know that I want the best for my children. However, being a father is a life-changing and worthwhile experience.For more breaking news follow us on FacebookTwitter Instagram or join our WhatsApp group
Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon. – Tom Stoppard
