30/05/2026
Beyond Apology: Faith in Gender Justice and Fathers Matter
We celebrate the launch of the Initiative, which took place on 29 May 2026. Rev. Storia Seitisho opened the gathering with a challenging yet encouraging message drawn from Micah 6:8. Moruti Storia spoke about the call upon us in our work and service to seek the well-being of children, women, and men.
Throughout the day, we sensed a collective call to action. The challenge before us is to move from reactive to restorative responses; from apology to action; from complaining to creating; from shock to support; from denial to determination; and from merely crying for our beloved country to actively build beloved community.
We are grateful for the church and community leaders who have stepped forward to support this faith-based gender justice initiative as we seek to move beyond apology.
Merrishia Singh Naicker established a safe and intentional container for the workshop, informed by personal, communal, and values-based conduct, ways of being, and safeguarding principles that promote the well-being of all participants. Together, we explored creative, innovative, and transformative pathways to challenge unhealthy social norms that diminish and dehumanise people.
Through guided reflection, awareness-building, and critical learning processes, Pastor Merrishia helped ground and mobilise our collective commitment to the Faith in Gender Justice Initiative.
I was honoured to facilitate an exercise I call the **"Love Factor."** This interactive process incorporates body movement, rhythm, connection, and practical learning. It invites participants to have fun, engage one another, and step beyond their comfort zones. Through this experience, we reflected on how we might move from the complexities that often leave us feeling stuck towards finding common ground, navigating chaos together, and mobilising positive values for healthy social impact.
To deepen our critical reflection and encourage paradigm-shifting learning, we viewed the short film *Family Portrait*. This provided an opportunity to introduce and mobilise **Fathers Matter** within the broader context of preventing and ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Participants shared new insights and awareness that emerged from the film and discussions. One significant theme was the recognition that Gender-Based Violence affects the well-being of both women and men, and that addressing GBV requires the involvement, transformation, and accountability of all members of society.
We listened to reflections and stories about family conflict, social pressures, and cultural barriers that often make it difficult for men and fathers to be actively and positively present in the lives of their families and communities. Participants discussed the important role that women and mothers can play in encouraging boys, men, and fathers to access opportunities for learning, growth, and healing that contribute to their own well-being and, in turn, the well-being of others.
A particularly moving moment came when Mother Eva stood and shared her story with pride and joy. She spoke about being raised by her father and her father's family, offering a powerful testimony to the positive impact that fathers can have in the lives of children.
Participants became increasingly aware of the opportunities presented through **Fathers Matter**, including films, discussion guides, training opportunities, and the Fathers Matter Coach WhatsApp platform. These resources provide practical tools for supporting men and fathers to become active, positive, and present allies for the well-being of children, women, men, families, and communities.
As we concluded the workshop, we reflected on key messages to carry forward and developed plans for the next six months. Participants committed themselves to advancing both the "Beyond Apology Faith in Gender Justice Initiative" and "Fathers Matter" within their churches, organisations, and communities.
It is our hope that these initiatives will continue to grow from strength to strength, inspiring a movement of faith-rooted action, learning, healing, accountability, and transformation.
We look forward to working collectively with church leaders, community leaders, and our partner organisations, including Heartlines Fathers Matter, Faith Action to End GBV, the South African Council of Churches Gauteng Province, Gender Links, , and Soil and Seeds.
We trust and believe that our work, witness, and service will contribute to the flourishing and well-being of people, families, and communities across Soweto and the many communities represented at this gathering. Together, we move beyond apology and towards action, building beloved community through faith, gender justice, and the active, positive presence of men and fathers.
Seth Naicker
[email protected] /
[email protected]
Heartlines FathersMatter_za Churchoutofthebox Faith Action to end Gender-Based Violence Faith to Action Network We Will Speak Out SA
