This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Patrick Godana calls for the trend of absent fathers to come to an end in our lifetime. In his talk he shares some stories about educating and encouraging men to be active participants in lives of their children, even before they are born.
Patrick was born to a working class family in Port Elizabeth, and had to leave the country in the early 80s only to return to be a political activist and be arrested, tortured and sentenced to 5 yers in Middledrift Central Prison where he completed his matric. Since his release he obtained a Bachelor of Theology from UWC, a Higher Diploma in Education from UPE and was ordained as a Lutheran priest in 2004.
In 1998 Patrick co-developed the Men as Partners Programme in South Africa, educating men and boys on Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health. He Joined Sonke Gender Justice in 2007, coordinating the One Man Can campaign, and co-leading the MenCare campaign. Currently Patrick fulfils the role as Government and Media Liaison Manager for Sonke, leading national campaigns to improve legislation and the justice system towards the emancipation of women in South Africa.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.*
