Billed as the anti-antenatal class, Dudes to Dads is an idea conceived by media personality Richard Hardiman to allow prospective fathers and those “about to be” dads the space to talk and interact with men going through the same process. Using a panel of radio and TV celebrities, businessmen and medical doctors, Richard guides the dads through what and how their lives might be on the other side of parenthood.

“I cannot count how many parents say to me “where were you and Dudes to Dads, when we were pregnant?” Says Hardiman, “There is just such a need to allow men to have a space to be honest and ask the questions they really want to ask without fear of upsetting their partners”.

We are all agreed that pregnancy, while being a beautiful time for couples, can also be fraught with anxiety and worry especially if it is the couple’s first time. Hardiman explains that while antenatal classes primarily focus on the mothers wellbeing, the Dads need a little looking after too.

“There is no doubt others are the focus in any pregnancy and rightly so, however Dudes to dads is one night where we can alleviate any worries or fears that Dads might have, as well as celebrate the fact that it is very cool to be a Dad and that process just gets better”, says Hardiman. “Most of the questioning stems from Dads wanting to know how to be there for their partner, what happens on the big day, how do we afford it, through to sleep questions and lack thereof, and will we still have sex?!”

To answer the myriad of questions Hardiman has assembled a crack team of Dads to help the new recruits. All the panellists are fathers with busy working lives in varied fields, but have all managed to get a hold of being a “cool” dad.

The price of the tickets are R200 but limited to 40 people, this says Hardiman enables us to have an intimate gathering but also allows for enough networking of Dads to meet and feel like they are not alone in the process of being a new Dad. July’s event is being held at the African Pride 15 On Orange in Cape Town in the Judge’s Lounge offering a fantastic upmarket venue for what hopes to be an evening of entertainment, enlightenment and as Hardiman is quick to point out, hopefully a bit of relieving of tension and anxiety. “I always tell the guys partners, don’t worry it’s not a boys night out and we always send them home in better shape than when they arrived!”.

Panel bio:

Dr Paul Sinclair – Paediatrician:
Paul is a well-known and much-loved Cape Town Paediatrician, with a special interest in newborns, kidneys and feeding. He runs a busy practice from Vincent Pallotti hospital, and also does session work at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in his capacity as a Paediatric Nephrologist. Paul is a father of three which in our mind makes him ideally suited to being on our panel!

See Dr Sinclair’s interview on Michael Mol’s Hello Doctor show HERE

Paul Raphaely:

Paul Raphaely and his wife, Tracy Foulkes, are the team behind NoMU, a local range of food and lifestyle products. An entrepreneur , brand maker, avid paddler and dad to 2 boys, Paul’s life is a full one, but at the same time that makes him an ideal candidate on how to parent without losing the “dude-ness” of it all.

The Mail & Guardian showcases some Paul’s background right HERE

Ian Bredenkamp:

Admittedly we zipped this bio off www.kfm.co.za but after all, it pretty much sums him up – Father of 2 and still leading a Rockstar life.

Ian Bredenkamp has been part of the media landscape for almost 15 years. He began work in radio when CDs and cassettes were still sold and downloads were unheard of. He’s a familiar voice on the airwaves and has been heard on Talk Radio 702, 94.5 Kfm, 567 Cape Talk, P4 Radio (now Heart 104.9), Matie fm, Bush Radio, Radio CFlat and Rhodes Music Radio. He also makes coffee when asked politely. His radio projects have been nominated at MTN Radio Awards and Bookmark Awards for Digital Excellence. He spends far too much time on Twitter and enjoys Orkney Snork Nie re-runs.

Mark Bayly:

A survivor in more ways than one! Mark is a well known television host, MC and all round SA celebrity but still manages to keep it all together and be a father of 2. As a TV presenter, radio host, speaker and businessman Mark manages to to keep both commercial life and home life very well balanced.

When: 17th July 2013 

Time: 18:30 for 19:00

Where: 15 On Orange / African Pride Hotel 

Duration: 2 hours 

Cost: R200,00

Ticket booking: www.dudestodads.co.za