Woman Asks Men Why They Left Their Babies, SA Men Share Heartbreaking Stories

Woman Asks Men Why They Left Their Babies, SA Men Share Heartbreaking Stories

  • A South African woman’s question about why men leave their children sparked emotional responses, revealing personal struggles and societal issues
  • Men shared stories of challenging relationships, with some citing financial difficulties and personal conflicts
  • Legal experts told Briefly News about the importance of separating custody rights from financial support
SA woman asks men why they left their babies
A South African woman’s inquiry into why men leave their children prompted men to share heartbreaking stories of failed relationships and challenges in co-parenting. Images: @bk_chauke.
Source: TikTok

A South African woman’s inquiry about why some men leave their children has sparked a wave of emotional responses from men across the country.

Her question, "Why did you leave your baby?" resonated deeply, leading to a series of heartfelt replies that reveal personal struggles and societal issues.

South African parent's responsibilities

This conversation has sparked a broader discussion about parents' responsibilities, the impact of personal relationships on child-rearing, and the legal mechanisms in place to support families.

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The video sparked emotional responses and expert insights, revealing the complexities of parenting and the urgent need for supportive systems for all involved.

SA men share their responses

One commenter, @Samandaba❤️, shared a story of working hard to provide for his child but facing challenges with a partner who refused to buy shoes for their baby.

He told @bk_chauke that the situation left him questioning the commitment of both partners in raising their child:

"Benginga sebenzi that time okay ku December ngihlanganise ngthengele ingane iympahla ngithi cela emthengela izicathulo coz aziphumanga emalini ebikhon." [I wasn't working that time around December, I put together what I could for the baby's clothes, I asked her to buy shoes because I couldn't.]

@Phumlani commented:

"I asked for DNA, but she refused and said there are good men who'll take care of the child's needs and I accepted that."

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Another man, identified as @halalisani1900, recounted how he brought his partner and child from rural areas to Johannesburg, only for his partner to start distancing herself and neglecting their responsibilities.

His experience highlights the painful reality of relationships deteriorating despite efforts to build a stable life for a family.

"I took her from emakhaya got her a Job lana eJozi, then waqala waba nama friends amu advice ngami, waqala keh endlini ehlezi ekwatile ngisho ngingenze lutho then ngabona uthando alusekho lah ngahamba." [I took her from home, got her a job here in Joburg, she got friends who advised her about me and she started doing her own things, I left.]

@Eviet3314 expressed frustration over listening to men making excuses:

"Me sitting down and listening to guys with excuses."

While another user, @Links, emphasized that no difficulty level should justify leaving a child behind.

"There is no level of toxicity of a baby mama that can make me leave my child... Ai never."

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No parent can deny access to a child

Advocate Kgalalelo Jennifer Matabane told Briefly News that parental rights and financial support are distinct elements of child custody.

According to her, access to a child cannot be denied based on financial contributions, and disputes over maintenance should be resolved through legal channels without impacting custody rights.

Adding to the legal perspective, family law expert Thandeka Mthembu also told Briefly News that while financial support is crucial, it should not be used as a bargaining chip in custody arrangements.

“Courts are designed to ensure that children’s needs are met, and access to the child should be based on the best interests of the child, not on financial disputes."

Durban woman demands R100,000 maintenance

Briefly News reported that a woman from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, applied for her estranged husband to pay R100,000 in maintenance.

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The couple split after the woman discovered that he was cheating on him with her best friend, and she also demanded new furniture.

Advocate Kgalalelo Matabane spoke to Briefly News about how child maintenance is determined. Some South Africans believed the money she demanded was too much, while others thought it was right.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Reitumetse Makwea avatar

Reitumetse Makwea (Editor) Reitumetse Makwea is a Current Affairs journalist at Briefly News. She has a National diploma, Advanced diploma and Post-graduate diploma in Journalism from the Tshwane University of Technology. She first worked as a student journalist and freelancer for Caxton's Record Noweto and later joined The Citizen News, where she worked for a little over 3 years covering politics, environmental news, business, education, and health. Reitumetse joined Briefly News in 2024. Email: reitumetse.makwea@briefly.co.za

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