NPA SOCA Community Dialogue

"Excellent event and notification leading up to the event. There were many reminders and the link to the download just made it better. "

"I had a truly enlightening and stimulating experience at the community dialogue. It was incredibly productive, engaging, and collaborative, and I gained valuable insights and knowledge from the discussion."

"Learning things here that I didn't even know as I am a single mom of two,where one is a special needs who r 14yr old born with Axenfeld Reiger syndrome where she is partially sighted and partially deaf and a 11yr old who were born wth asthma.Been divorced for 7yrs and their maintenance each is R1000 per child."

"This was certainly one of the most engaging dialogues I listened to on-line. I appreciate all our dialogues but I found today's line up of speakers to have spoken to several realities that is seldom spoken of. Thank you for raising the importance of having the "voice of fathers" heard, thank you to EVERY SPEAKER of today. I especially appreciated speakers Cassie Cartens, Laurie Greyvenstein , Daniel den Hollander and Prof Jansen all of whom I had heard from for the first time today. The content covered i.r.o the psychological impact of human behaviour toward that of children touched me deeply. This went hand in hand with what Natalie Ruiters was discussing i.r.o the importance of parents setting aside their differences and placing the children's needs and best interest on the forefront, whilst encouraging parents to adopt a more amicable approach toward each other in respect of their children's best interest. This is such a critical aspect that many parents struggle with, but yet it is the turning point to more effective parenting. Laurie gave us many nuggets to select from, and I for one grabbed as many as he handed out today, more as reminders of what one can so easily allow to slip from in times of our struggles. I especially appreciated how cultural differences were not only acknowledged, but how these were integrated into working toward more effective and positive human relations. It was also good to hear that more men are entering counselling to assist themselves with challenges they would otherwise never have wanted to discuss with anyone. This is reflective of a positive approach to becoming more aware of and more engaged in assisting the mothers of the children that they share. I hereby wish to thank Advocate Deon Ruiters and every spokesperson/guest who facilitated and attended today's dialogue. Was good to hear of the sacrifices of a father for his two daughters; how Allan Grey's retirement annuity can be attached via court orders to be initiated by a complainant (mostly mothers) and how parents can bring about a change in their children by the way they verbally interact with them. This is often overlooked especially where the parents have an acrimonious relationship between themselves and forget how to be compassionate and loving toward their children during times of turmoil. Often neglecting and at times, some parents are not aware of the psychological consequences to the child/ren. Often finding parental alienation also playing a damaging role in children even more than the actual separation of the parents does. Natalie emphasised this beautifully. "

"Always so informative and engaging. I'm ever in awe, thank you organisers. "