A Cape Town-based mentorship initiative is tackling the long-term effects of father absence among South African boys, aiming to build values and positive masculinity through sustained guidance from male role models.
The Character Company, operating for 13 years, has delivered almost 10 000 mentorship sessions to more than 1 100 boys. The non-profit pairs participants with volunteer male mentors and offers camps, activities and a values-based curriculum designed to instil honesty, respect, courage, self-discipline and kindness.
Founder and CEO Jaco van Schalkwyk says the work addresses a critical gap in the lives of boys who are statistically more likely to face emotional, behavioural and social challenges without a present father figure. “We cannot hope to reduce gender-based violence, gangsterism and crime without improving the well-being of our boys,” he said.
Alumni credit the programme with shifting their outlook and giving them tools to make healthier choices. Former participant David Mokoka said he grew up angry and resentful without a father, but mentorship and outdoor experiences helped him replace that anger with purpose and values. Another graduate, Kamo Pule, said the initiative showed him the importance of community support and positive masculinity.
The organisation’s model focuses on consistent, long-term engagement, with many graduates maintaining ties to their mentors into adulthood. According to van Schalkwyk, the goal is to create “good men who will in turn become role models for the next generation.”
