10-day paternity leave petition explained
A Cape Town man has submitted a petition to National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise that working men should be given 10 days' paternity leave.
Financial manager Hendri Terblanche (38) from Brackenfell submitted the petition on July 3 and approached every member of Parliament urging them to draft a bill for consideration by the National Assembly.
Terblanche's wife Giselle had twins in November.
They were born three months prematurely.
One spent 139 days in hospital and his twin 79 days, compared to the standard three days.
Mothers who have a caesarean section remain in hospital for up to a week.
Terblanche feels that the three days allowed for family responsibility leave is not enough in the event of a caesarean delivery; for parents whose babies have been born prematurely or are sick; and any other emergencies.
South African fathers may take three days ‘family responsibility’ leave a year but there is no official provision for paternity leave.
Terblanche wants to change this.
I spoke to him to find out more about his petition.
Click below to listen.
We asked you to share your views on the matter and this is what some of you had to say.
I think Terblanche is a champion dad and it would seem a lot of the East Coast stand firmly behind him as he appeals to take paternity leave from three to 10 days.
Today parenting is a lot more of a copartnership compared to the past where mom was the primary care giver.
Go for gold Hendri!
I so hope you get this right.