“The first couple of weeks with a new born are the most challenging. Having a dad around doesn’t only help with the bonding of the dad and baby, but it also goes some way in helping couples share the stress of the new arrival”

Last year Careers24 conducted a survey to see how South African fathers felt about the fact that they are only legally allowed three days (taken from their family responsibility leave) to attend to the birth of their child.

Many of the fathers we surveyed were in agreement: more than 92% rated building a stronger bond with their new born as a top priority, and that longer paternity leave would go a long way towards assisting in this regard.

“The first couple of weeks with a new born are the most challenging. They are also a time when the mother is still recovering from the birth. Having a dad around doesn’t only help with the bonding of the dad and baby, but it also goes some way in helping couples share the stress of the new arrival,” one father said.

Read: Fathers: It’s time we were allowed longer paternity leave

So father’s and father’s-to-be across the country are celebrating as Parliament has approved a bill that will give fathers in South Africa the right to 10 days’ paid paternity leave.

The Labour Laws Amendment Bill was passed in the National Assembly in Parliament on 28 November 2017 and will soon be reviewed by the National Council of Provinces.

There’s good news for adoptive parents too: the bill includes provisions for 10 weeks’ parental adoption leave if the baby is under 2 years (applies to one parent only) and surrogacy leave, as well as increased UIF and maternity benefits.

Matthew Parks, parliamentary co-ordinator for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), told Business Day that the bill will see “billions of rand released from the UIF into the pockets of workers, and thus help them take care of their families and spur local economies. It will also help fathers play greater roles in taking care of their newborn children."

Read: All you need to know about claiming your maternity benefits

In South Africa mothers are entitled to four months of unpaid maternity leave. Mother’s may claim from UIF for 17 weeks, at 38% to 58% of their earnings, tax-free.

Some companies, such as Pick’nPay and Media24, offer paid leave or longer leave options.

- Elizabeth Mamacos