16/11/2025
Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at FNBB’s "Pitso ya Borre" (Men's Gathering) about fatherhood. I reframed the topic from simply "being a good father" to "being a present father."
My central message was that presence isn't just about physical proximity; it’s about active, intentional, and emotional engagement. It is the quality of time, not just the quantity, that truly counts.
I shared how a father's active involvement dramatically improves a child's self-esteem, social skills, academic performance, and future relationships. This involvement acts as a powerful protective factor in a child's life. We need to move beyond simply "being around" to being truly engaged and involved dads. I also emphasized that a present father isn't a perfect one—he is simply a father who tries and makes the effort.
The question-and-answer session was, as always, very interesting. Questions ranged from "How do I tell my co-parent that I have other children outside our union?" to "What does the law say about being a 'present' father, or how is presence measured legally?" I did my best to address these complex questions, concluding that, fundamentally, all children deserve to be cared for by both biological parents.
This was my first Movember event, and I look forward to the next one this coming week on the 18th at MYGA, where I will be discussing self-care for men.
