Amidst staggering statistics of absent fathers in South Africa, witnessing fathers stepping up to fulfill their roles deserves applause, the hype, and recognition.

Like this father, popular actor Ayanda Makayi, who says his path to fatherhood has fulfilled a childhood dream of having his own family one day. And although he did not have a clear time frame for when he’d like to realize this dream, his son has seamlessly integrated into his life, completing him in the most miraculous way possible.

Ayanda Makayi | Supplied

And although Ayanda himself was raised by a single mother, with uncles here and there as male figures, assuming such an important role was a serious task he doesn’t take lightly and has been influenced a lot by his own mother’s lessons, love, and care. His mother (and uncles) taught him what it means to be a father.

“I’ve always grown up with the perfect family image in mind, to a point where I even thought I’d be married by now and have everything that comes with it. So when my son came, I didn’t expect it at all, but I simultaneously felt so blessed because it is one gift that can never be measured. Something that will forever be yours, a moment that no one can ever take away from you,” he said.

The past two years have admittedly challenged his role as a father, requiring him to step up even more after work pushed him to move to Gqebera to shoot for the popular Mzansi Magic telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire, leaving his 3-year-old son in Johannesburg.

Ayanda Makayi | Supplied

“I take any and every opportunity given to me to see him. Any weekends off are strictly dedicated to him because this is such a crucial time in his growth process. This is the time where he starts to remember things, his memory retains so much information, and people that I want him to also remember me being there for him in any way possible. It is that important to me,” he said. And even with the distance between the two, technology has successfully aided in his part, allowing him continuous connect with at any given point.

The doting father describes his little one as his carbon copy, with their baby pictures looking identical, adding that he is special in that he is kind and extremely gentle, making him popular among other children. He also loves water and music, adding that he always aims to encourage him to always pursue things he loves.

“He also has a sense of discipline, which I commend his mother for instilling in him. He isn’t a child that will embarrass you when around people. He can even sit still throughout a church service,” he adds.

Being a new dad did not only change his life in the obvious ways; now you have a little human who completely depends on you, but he has found that the teachings to his son have rubbed off on him.

Ayanda Makayi | Supplied

“One thing that I am intentionally trying to instill in Lwandle is to be expressive because I understand that that is him learning and trying to find himself. And I think that I kind of also instilled it in myself because I used to be someone who was very passive and feared conflict, but now I am finding ways to speak up and express myself.

“I am truly enjoying this ride and I find that there is absolutely no pressure in raising my son. Instead, I am allowing him to find himself, with my guidance always available to assist him as he goes. Holistically, I wish for him to maintain his kindness and discipline while also becoming who he was created to be. I want to instill integrity and to be someone who is able to ignore the outside noise because he knows who he is.

“More importantly, I want him to know that I am his father, I am here for him and always will be,” he said.

Ayanda Makayi | Supplied