A father and son’s life journey should be the maintenance of a nurturing relationship and upholding good moral values, which was underscored during a recent father and son celebration.
Held on Saturday, 22 June, at the Zenzele Centre in Phahameng, Bloemfontein, this was an initiative of Seriti sa Banna, a Bloemfontein-based non-profit organisation (NPO).
In attendance were representatives of the local Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and professionals as speakers.
They include, among others, Dr Piere Nell, clinical psychologist; Apostle Muso Motsoikha; Archbishop Thapelo Mokoena; and pastors Mphobole Ramphobole and Thabo van Eck.
Correlating with the title of the event, approximately 80 fathers brought along their sons to gain lifelong lessons during discussions about father-son-bonding.
Modise Rantsieng, public relations officer, said the occasion was underpinned by the importance of educating sons, as future fathers, about fatherhood and its lifelong responsibility.
“Women in attendance expressed that they should be included, because they believe that they also have a critical role to play in the good upbringing of their sons, and the welfare of the families. This is informed by the fact that there is a marriage relationship to maintain in life,” said Rantsieng.
“We focused on, among others, the realistic challenges and lessons that couples have to learn in their marriages.”
Rantsieng strongly emphasised that education remained key for strengthening of a father and son’s relationship, and breaking the scourge that causes men a loss of their dignity, as well as curbing rampant gender-based violence (GBV).
“As an organisation we are calling on all men in the Mangaung Metro to join hands against GBV, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as to reclaim the dignity and respect for men,” he said.
This men’s body organised the occasion as part of its mission to enable men to make sense of fatherhood, and restore their self-worth and dignity, which is in decline because of their morale. Its motto is “Uphold men’s dignity”.
