January is often called “Janu-worry” - a month when financial pressures weigh heavily on families. School fees, uniforms, and household expenses pile up, and parents, already stretched thin, sometimes turn on each other. In the crossfire, those who suffer most are the children, caught between adult disputes and legal processes that often miss the human touch.
This was the case for Mashudu, father to Steven, whose journey through love, responsibility, and the courts reveals how systems that focus solely on money can overlook the deeper needs of a child.
Mashudu’s Story
Mashudu was a man who carried both pride and pain in his heart. He was the father of Steven, a bright young boy born out of wedlock with Rose. Though his relationship with Rose ended in heartbreak after he discovered her infidelity, Mashudu never abandoned his responsibility as a father. He loved Steven dearly and made it his mission to give him the best life possible.
Mashudu’s love was not measured in receipts or bank slips. It was seen in the way he took Steven to major soccer matches, where the boy’s eyes lit up at the roar of the crowd. It was felt in outings to cinemas, restaurants, and shopping trips, where Steven picked what he wanted and Mashudu gladly paid without counting the cost. It was experienced in quiet evenings when father and son shared laughter, stories, and dreams. Mashudu gave freely, because his giving was rooted in love, not obligation.
But one day, Mashudu’s world was shaken. Out of the blue, he was summoned to the maintenance court. Rose accused him of failing to pay maintenance fees. Standing before the magistrate, Mashudu explained that he had always supported Steven — paying for private school fees, clothing, outings, and more. Yet when asked to produce proof, he had none. His generosity had never been documented, only lived.
The court, bound by procedure, ordered Mashudu to pay a fixed monthly amount directly to Rose and to keep proof of payment. Mashudu complied, setting up a debit order. But within three months, Steven’s teachers noticed a troubling change. His performance dropped, his joy faded, and his once lively spirit grew heavy. When asked, Steven confessed: “My father has distanced himself from me, and I cannot cope.”
A meeting was called with both parents. Rose stormed out in anger, refusing to listen. It was then discovered that, despite receiving the monthly payments, Rose had failed to pay Steven’s school fees for two months — something Mashudu had never neglected. The school principal, concerned for Steven’s wellbeing, arranged a meeting with Mashudu, Steven, and a social worker. A report was submitted to the court, and after deliberation, the order was reversed. Mashudu resumed his direct support, and Steven’s life slowly returned to normal.
VKRA Closing Remarks
* This story reminds us that it is not money that counts, but money given in love. When giving is reduced to legal transactions, the human touch is lost, and relationships suffer.
* Could it be that court orders which ignore the emotional bond between parent and child contribute to young boys turning to drugs and alcohol to numb their feelings?
* Systems must remember: children thrive not only on financial support but on the presence, love, and care of their parents.
* As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Final Reflection
Mashudu’s story is more than a family dispute; it is a parable for our times. Systems of law may enforce compliance, but they cannot measure love. True giving is relational, not transactional. It is presence, not paperwork. VKRA calls on society to rethink how justice is applied — not only in courts, but in homes, schools, and communities. For when love is absent, even the best intentions collapse; but when love leads, even the smallest gift becomes priceless.