The City of Johannesburg’s Sport and Recreation recently collaborated with the Sylvester Mashilo Foundation to raise awareness of the impact of absent fathers by staging a Fatherhood New Year’s Run/Walk and a dialogue.

The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, was welcomed by the MMC for Community Development Cllr Ronald Harris, who said sport has a unique way of uniting people.

Delivering a message to participants, Mayor Phalatse elaborated on the importance of wellness. “I value physical fitness. Being a doctor and a former MMC for Health and Social Development, I have been exposed to growing incidents of obesity in the City as a result of non-active lifestyles. Let’s get our communities active and use city facilities such as community centres, sport facilities and parks.”

As the new mayor, she revealed plans to rebuild the beautiful city and bring back its shine. “But you cannot build the city without building its people. It starts with the people. We need to build individuals. Make sure that the people are happy, are healthy, are well and they are in families.”

Appreciating the work of the foundation, Mayor Phalatse said: “Focusing on and promoting fatherhood and deepening dialogue on the social challenge of fatherlessness is necessary. The creation of safe spaces and implementation of social cohesion programmes align with the community building objectives.”

Sylvester Mashilo said: “The collaboration with the city will go a long way because families need fathers. It does not necessary have to be a biological father, but anyone who can reach out. As a foundation, we are creating a safer and better world for our children by supporting our communities through programmes that build our boys.

“We’re embarking on intentional parenting interventions and holding men accountable,” concluded Mashilo.