By Bro Onkgopotse Maboe (PK),19th Episcopal District
“On February 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM, Mount Zion AME Church in Bloemfontein held its second session of the Father and Son Mentoring Program. The first session took place in 2024, when we took office. That year, the presiding pastor, Rev. Thabo Matsaseng, asked us to prioritize the boy child in our plans for the 2023–24 church year. In alignment with one of the Sons of Allen’s eight purposes—’To empower men to serve as role models for young men and to develop youth ministries, such as scouting ministries, in local units’—we tasked our Publicity Chair with organizing the Father and Son Mentoring Program. That is how the initiative came to be.”
Briefly in 2024, our Committee Chair on Publicity, Bro Itumeleng Kwenane gave 3 attributes for the mentorship program, namely: Assertiveness, Self-esteem & Decision making. We asked both fathers & sons to write down their challenges and from the boys we had the following:
Bullying, Dropping out of school, gender equalities (Feminism), Peer Pressure, Gambling, Teenage pregnancy, Father & Son, communication (transparency & trust).
We also had the following as challenges presented by the fathers:
Sons seem not to listen to their parents, do sons believe in the statement…A family that prays together stays/stick together? How can fathers improve their relationship with their sons? What are your expectations from your fathers?
The following were raised as solutions amongst others: Trust, Communication, Programs to manage gambling, Support & 3 famous attributes (Assertiveness, build self-esteem and decision making).
In 2025 episode we had 2 young presenters, namely:
Bro Teboho Matsaseng (PK) – topic “Peer Pressure”
- Its ok to say no, talk to your dad, he will never give you a wrong advice. (Seek help).
- Develop self-esteem, do, or get involved in positive activities.
Bro Orapeleng Kae, Licentiate – topic “Over-indulgence of drugs & alcohol”
- Too much of a thing is not good, even medicine! Some use drugs as a comforter.
- “When interacting with someone struggling with substance abuse, approach them with love” – Lic O. Kae.
“The first step is to honor God and remain in the church; this will help you avoid many negative experiences in life,” said Bro. David Potsane.
“Rev. Matsaseng said that our children shouldn’t have to look far for role models—fathers should claim their rightful positions both at home and in society.”
“Mount Zion holds a rich history, as it is one of the stations/charges that the late Bishop Harold B. Senatle pastored. In more recent history, in 2024, the current President of the Bishop’s Council, Bishop Silvester Beaman, preached during the ACEL Imbizo.”
“The father – Son mentoring program is POWERFUL and continues to win SOA Younger Men at Unit level. Let’s guard it jealousy & give it FULL attention, its so relevant and refreshing” – The 19th Episcopal District SOA President, Dr. Malefetsane Mokoena, PhD.
“Remember when you started school, you thought you had friends for life? But then life happened—you changed schools, and on your first day, you thought you wouldn’t cope. Yet, look at you now! This simply means you don’t have to stick with bad-influencing friends and suffer from negative peer pressure. You can always find new friends with a positive outlook on life, regardless of your age,” said Unit President, Bro. Onkgopotse Maboe.
“In 2024, we were 30, and in 2025, we were 15 in total. In both years, we had fathers and sons outside our denomination, with ecumenical relations also in the picture. Praise God!”
