Daddy 24/7 is a South African docu-reality television series created, written, produced and directed by Mpho Moagi-Vilana which places four young fathers and their toddlers in a residential complex outside their comfort worlds, where they are presented with the challenges of nurturing their children.
The series premiered on SABC1 on Saturday 18 February 2012, at 17h30. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on SABC1 on Tuesday 20 November 2012, at 18h30. After an hiatus to accommodate the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, it returned in a new timeslot on Tuesdays at 21h00, beginning with Episode 10 on 19 February, 2013. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 13 episodes in the second season.
Synopsis
This series aims to explore commonly held stereotypes about fathers as four young fathers and their toddlers are taken and placed together in a residential complex outside their comfort worlds, where they are presented with the challenges of nurturing their children.
For the first time these Dads will have to defy the longstanding stereotypes. They will have to cope with highly charged and inquisitive toddlers and live with the reality of being the primary parents and care-givers.
The show will showcase stories that look at the difficulties and textures of fatherhood in the modern world as more fathers respond to the role of being both parents and participants in the rearing of their children.
The series explores these tensions and trends by giving a voice to dads from all walks and stations in life.
The show is purely focused with the personal world of these fathers and the relationships they will now have to establish and share with their kids.
Each week depicts the rearing of the toddlers through the eyes of the four Dads – their struggles and achievements, angst and joys.
At the end of the show one father emerges with the ultimate prize to be used towards the educational needs for his child. In this show dads and toddlers stand a chance to win prizes up the value of R120,000.
Daddy 24/7 aims to entertain and educate South Africans about fatherhood. The show answers the question: what makes a good father?
The Daddy 24/7 Complex
The fathers live together with their toddlers at an isolated environment away from their natural homes where they are challenged for 30 days with child rearing tasks.
The Daddy 24/7 complex is equipped with all the latest amenities needed to raise a child. The complex is child friendly and way from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The kids and dads were entertained with fun filled activities in and around the complex. Dads and kids have splash time in the pool and fun by the jungle gym.
The dads also take care of their physical wellbeing at the gym nearby while the kids are schooled and have a wonderful time playing at Playz O' Fun.
The Participants
The Daddy 24/7 dads come from different backgrounds from all over Mzansi. These dads are aged 25–35 years and are first-time fathers. They all want to be fathers to their toddlers aged 3-5 years.
The Agent
The show is hosted by Nosiphiwo Matlabane, a qualified Occupational Therapist with an interest in Paediatric Therapy. She also serves as the agent in the show. She is the "no nonsense agent" whose best interest is always of the child.
The agent's role in the show is to give child-friendly, entertaining tasks to dads. She also evaluates and provides relevant tips to assist the dads as they go about with completing the tasks. The agent makes sure order and sanity prevails in the complex.
The dads want to please her as they know that she is the symbol of knowledge and respect when it comes to parenting issues.
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Seasons
Series exclusive to SABC1
Season 1 (13 episodes)
Premiere: 18 February 2012 | Finale: 12 May 2012 | Saturdays, 17h30
Season 2 (13 episodes)
Premiere: 20 November 2012 | Finale: 12 March 2013 | Tuesdays, 18h30/21h00