My dad can, can yours?

"We want to celebrate our dads; we want to make them feel like the king of the house again, because that is how important they are to us."

These are the words of Tsumeb resident Anna-Marie Erasmus, who is part of an initiative to celebrate fathers on 7 October. The special My Dad Can family day will take place at Tsumeb Gymnasium's sports grounds, and will see children challenging their fathers in various tasks.

"The whole idea behind the initiative is to show that our dads are strong, they can do anything, and they can handle the pressure of life and support their families.

“They can lift heavy bags and they can 'eat seven bags of salt’ with their partners and families. This day is for them and we want to lift them up a bit," Erasmus said.

She is on the board of the Gluck-Auf Kindergarten and forms part of the team that will host the event.

Prizes to be won

As many as 100 fathers and 50 grandfathers will be able to register for the event and compete against each other in a fun competition. At the end of the day, prizes will also be awarded for the strongest fathers.

"The dads will have to face 10 challenges each - these include things like hammering in nails, things dads can do anyway. They will not be challenged beyond their abilities," Erasmus said.

For the grandfathers, there will be six challenges - but they will be less physical so that men of any age can participate, she said.

"This is a dream that started about two years ago and that has expanded, with more schools and even churches in Tsumeb that are now part of the initiative.

"The idea is to celebrate our dads - in today's life they play a big role. They provide for their families and have to fulfil so many responsibilities, while society no longer values them so much.

"I think there is a big shortage of this in our country - nice days where families can spend time together. There will be various and unique stalls available for mothers, while for children there will be various activities on offer, which include shooting with Daisy guns, jumping castles and train rides.”

The example

"In the evening, there will be a praise event presented with a speaker from South Africa, Pastor Carel Marais, who will talk about how our earthly fathers represent our Heavenly Father and try to assist and protect us in the same way," she explained.

"Our earthly fathers are for us the example of how our Heavenly Father is with us. We celebrate our earthly fathers, but above all, our Heavenly Father who is our heavenly dad.

“We will also end the evening with a delicious meal and get together and do things the right way," she said.

The entry fee for fathers is N$200, while grandfathers pay N$50. Entries open on 1 September and run until 1 October.

For more information, contact Erasmus on 081 853 2349.