When conversations about outstanding fathers arise, stepfathers are often overlooked. However, Alfred Magongwa from Skeem Saam is proof that not all stepfathers are heartless. In fact, he deserves the title of “Stepfather of the Year” every single year for his unwavering dedication to his family.
Magongwa’s story is a powerful example of what true fatherhood looks like. For years, he stepped up and took responsibility for raising children who weren’t biologically his. His commitment to the Kunutu family went beyond the expectations of a typical stepfather. Even after his wife, Celia, decided to leave, Alfred didn’t turn his back on the family. Instead, he chose to remain, taking full responsibility for the household, guiding the children, and making sure that they still had a stable and supportive environment.
What makes his story even more painful is that Magongwa has no blood ties to the Kunutu family. His entire involvement and sacrifice were solely because of his love for Celia. Despite this, when Celia walked away from both the family and the responsibilities that came with it, Alfred stayed behind to clean up the emotional mess left in her wake.
Now, Alfred finds himself stuck in the middle of the Kunutu family drama, holding everything together on his own while Celia lives comfortably elsewhere, seemingly unaffected by the chaos she left behind. It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially considering that Alfred’s sacrifices were made out of genuine love, commitment, and a sense of duty.
Sadly, men like Alfred are rarely spoken about or celebrated in society. Many stepfathers out there quietly play an active role in raising children, often doing far more than biological fathers. They attend school meetings, provide financially, offer emotional support, and make sacrifices that often go unseen. Yet, stories like Magongwa’s remain in the shadows while negative stereotypes about stepfathers dominate public opinion.
It’s time to change that narrative. Magongwa deserves recognition not only for what he has done for the Kunutu family but also as a representative of countless stepfathers across the country who work tirelessly without seeking praise. Real men still exist — they step up where others have stepped away, and they carry the weight of families they didn’t even help create, purely out of love and a sense of responsibility.
Magongwa’s story is a clear example of what true fatherhood should be about — love, responsibility, sacrifice, and consistency. While Celia may have chosen the soft life over her family, Alfred chose love and loyalty over convenience.
Let’s give Magongwa his flowers while he can still smell them.