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IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
The critical role of fathers in early childhood development
Empowering Fathers: The key role of play in child development. Image: Freepik A new study by Sesame Workshop International South Africa (SWISA) highlights the critical need for increased father involvement in early childhood development, especially through play. Despite 54% of South African men, aged 15 to 49, being fathers, many do not have regular contact with their children. Those who are present often feel ill-equipped or discouraged by cultural norms to engage meaningfully. "Many fathers want to be more involved," said Dr Onyinye Nwaneri, director at SWISA. "But they see play as something that comes naturally to women, or as a luxury they can't afford." The mixed-methods research, including both quantitative and qualitative data, revealed that societal pressures and gender expectations continue to frame fathers primarily as financial providers. In rural areas, norms around masculinity further limited emotional bonding and shared caregiving. SWISA's media-based intervention, aimed at promoting gender equity and co-parenting, led to noticeable changes. Fathers reported increased confidence and enjoyment in playing with their children, while children developed more inclusive attitudes toward gender roles. "We empowered many fathers to engage with their children for the first time," Nwaneri said. "It also encouraged mothers to support more equitable parenting." The study also explored the impact of 'gatekeeping', where mothers often control access to children. While sometimes protective, this dynamic can exclude fathers, especially non-traditional ones, from caregiving roles. "Rigid gender norms hurt everyone," Nwaneri added. "We must redefine fatherhood as emotional and developmental involvement, not just financial support." The research promotes 'gender-neutral play' activities free from gender stereotypes as a tool for holistic child development and social change. While the findings show promise, researchers say sustained support through media, policy, and community engagement is vital for long-term transformation. In research by Simphiwe Ngcongo, a graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, he found that most South African fathers show a strong desire and willingness to be involved in their children's lives, despite popular opinion to the contrary. "When it comes to having an involved father, experiences differ, and I was interested in gaining more insight into this," Ngcongo said. His study focused on how employment status affects father involvement, highlighting that fathers, whether employed or unemployed, want to participate actively in their children's upbringing. Ngcongo also challenged negative stereotypes: "Fathers are often perceived as neglectful men who are unwilling to take responsibility, men who impregnate and run away. There is also a prevalent notion that a good father only provides financially, which leads to the neglect of other important caregiving roles." IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
11-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cosatu extremely concerned about crises at Daybreak
The National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) this week reported that more than 1 million birds had been abandoned and it had culled more than 200 000 birds at a Daybreak contract grower who was without feed for days, resulting in mass cannibalism. Poultry producer Daybreak's financial troubles came home to roost this past week as the company undertook a shocking culling of underfed poultry and workers protesting after not being paid salaries. In an effort to alleviate troubles, Daybreak Foods initiated a search for the Public Investment Corporation's (PIC) approval to enter Business Rescue. This past Wednesday, corporate affairs specialist Nokwazi Ngcongo confirmed to Business Report that DayBreak Foods was grappling with significant financial constraints that have hindered its operational capabilities. The board is exploring avenues to implement business rescue, pending the active participation and agreement from shareholders. "The Board has extensively communicated with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), the company's shareholder, and made numerous requests for funding to support operations, including feed for birds and payment of salaries, and continues to engage the PIC in hope of a positive response," Ngcongo said. On Friday, trade union Cosatu said they are concerned about the crisis at the company. Cosatu said in a statement, "Cosatu and our affiliate representing workers at Daybreak, Sactwu, are extremely concerned about the crisis at the company. Many of these have been going not only for the past few months but in fact years. Daybreak and its employees have been subjected to systemic failures by several iterations of management." "We are seeking urgent measures by the PIC as the owners of Daybreak, as well as the investment fund manager of workers' funds. The situation is intolerable and must be dealt with, not only to resolve the immediate crisis but also to ensure the company is placed on a sustainable path long term," Cosatu further said. The company faced severe disruptions in its operations, resulting in an inability to meet its financial obligations, including staff payments and supplier settlements. Animal cruelty The National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) this week reported that more than 1 million birds had been abandoned and it had culled more than 200 000 birds at a Daybreak contract grower who was without feed for days, resulting in mass cannibalism. 'The birds were over 28 days old but weighed under 700 grams. Daybreak Foods was contacted, and through urgent intervention, the NSPCA was granted consent to cull," it said. "A poultry veterinarian also assessed the birds and confirmed they could not be salvaged. This resulted in approximately 200 000 birds being culled over two days,' the organisation said. Hundreds of workers also protested outside the farm's premises demanding overdue salaries. Ngcongo stressed that DayBreak Foods was fully aware of how these challenges impacted employees' livelihoods. She also acknowledged recent challenges related to animal welfare at its poultry farming operations, including instances where birds went without feed due to financial constraints, resulting in cannibalism and subsequent culling. Ngcongo said the company prioritized animal welfare, transparency, and accountability, and was working with the National Council of SPCAs to address these issues and ensure the highest standards of animal care. "Currently, Daybreak Foods awaits a response from the PIC regarding the funding request and cannot commit to a specific date for employee salary payments," Ngcongo said. "However, employee salaries remain a top priority for the company." Meanwhile, the PIC said in a statement that it was "deeply disturbed" by current reports of culling and cannibalism amongst the poultry stock of Daybreak Food's farming operations. The PIC said it continued to support Daybreak and has provided capital allocations to provide liquidity to the company, for the board and management to stabilise the business. "The PIC is engaging its clients, the board of Daybreak and other stakeholders on an urgent basis to find a solution aimed at preserving the value of assets and, importantly, jobs in the company. The PIC's interventions must be aligned to the investment mandates of its clients and meet the requirements of internal corporate governance and approval processes," it said. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Daybreak Foods seeks PIC approval for business rescue as financial crisis escalates
The National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) this week reported that more than 1 million birds had been abandoned and it had culled more than 200 000 birds at a Daybreak contract grower who was without feed for days, resulting in mass cannibalism. Banele Ginidza Daybreak Foods has initiated a search for the Public Investment Corporation's (PIC) approval to enter Business Rescue, a decision prompted by mounting financial difficulties which have been exacerbated by a shocking culling of underfed poultry and protests from employees demanding their overdue salaries. In an official response to Business Report on Wednesday, corporate affairs specialist Nokwazi Ngcongo confirmed that DayBreak Foods was grappling with significant financial constraints that have hindered its operational capabilities. Recognising the critical juncture at which the company finds itself, the board is exploring avenues to implement business rescue, pending the active participation and agreement from shareholders. "The Board has extensively communicated with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), the company's shareholder, and made numerous requests for funding to support operations, including feed for birds and payment of salaries, and continues to engage the PIC in hope of a positive response," Ngcongo said. The company has faced severe disruptions in its operations, resulting in an inability to meet its financial obligations, including staff payments and supplier settlements. Ngcongo stressed that DayBreak Foods was fully aware of how these challenges impacted employees' livelihoods. She also acknowledged recent challenges related to animal welfare at its poultry farming operations, including instances where birds went without feed due to financial constraints, resulting in cannibalism and subsequent culling. Ngcongo said the company prioritized animal welfare, transparency, and accountability, and was working with the National Council of SPCAs to address these issues and ensure the highest standards of animal care. "Currently, Daybreak Foods awaits a response from the PIC regarding the funding request and cannot commit to a specific date for employee salary payments," Ngcongo said. "However, employee salaries remain a top priority for the company." The National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) this week reported that more than 1 million birds had been abandoned and it had culled more than 200 000 birds at a Daybreak contract grower who was without feed for days, resulting in mass cannibalism. 'The birds were over 28 days old but weighed under 700 grams. Daybreak Foods was contacted, and through urgent intervention, the NSPCA was granted consent to cull," it said. "A poultry veterinarian also assessed the birds and confirmed they could not be salvaged. This resulted in approximately 200 000 birds being culled over two days,' the organisation said. Hundreds of workers also protested outside the farm's premises demanding over due salaries. According to sources from the previous executive team that resigned enmasse, the straw that broke the camel's back at the former Daybreak Farms was the PIC holding back on an approved R250 million debt deal to stabilise the company and further optimise its operations and balance sheet. The deal, which was announced to much fanfare in April last year, was initiated by former CEO Richard Manzini, who resigned in February after he had made successful restructuring programme and the appointment of the new C-suite. The cash raised would have been used for technology upgrades of Daybreak's abattoirs and machines, a water treatment plant, and increasing the speed of the chicken processing systems added Manzini. Daybreak Foods supplies its own and contracted broiler farms with day-old chicks, which are raised and sold as fresh and frozen whole chickens and portions. The sources said the PIC failed to disburse the funds despite official commitments to do so, which led to the resignation of officials in the C-suite. "I saw the documents that the money had been approved by myself but the PIC would not release the funds. Some of the executives felt compromised, they were ethical people," sources said. Meanwhile, the PIC said in a statement that it was "deeply disturbed" by current reports of culling and cannibalism amongst the poultry stock of Daybreak Food's farming operations. The PIC said it continued to support Daybreak and has provided capital allocations to provide liquidity to the company, for the board and management to stabilise the business. "The PIC is engaging its clients, the board of Daybreak and other stakeholders on an urgent basis to find a solution aimed at preserving the value of assets and, importantly, jobs in the company. The PIC's interventions must be aligned to the investment mandates of its clients and meet the requirements of internal corporate governance and approval processes," it said. "The board and management of Daybreak are responsible and accountable for the operations and finances of the company. Any intervention must also address longstanding governance and management concerns at the company." BUSINESS REPORT
