Sol Phenduka and Penuel clash over deadbeat dad gatekeeping

A clip lit the fuse, Sol Phenduka jumped in, and suddenly, everyone is arguing about money, access, and who really gets hurt.

How this debate even started

• So basically, radio personality Sol Phenduka reacted to a video making the rounds online.
• In that clip, media figure Gogo Skhotheni questioned whether a dad who is not paying should even see his child.
• The internet did what it always does and took sides immediately.

Sol’s take, access over cash

• Sol’s stance was simple but loud: seeing your child should not be treated like a prize you unlock with money.
• He framed presence as support too, especially for a child’s mental and emotional well-being.
• His logic was that kids eventually figure out who showed up and who did not, without adults blocking the process.

Why does he think blocking access backfires

• According to Sol, using access as punishment is a long-term mistake.
• He warned that the child might later resent the parent who controlled the gate.
• The message was basically let the relationship play out and let the truth reveal itself over time.

The internet splits in real time

• Some people backed Sol hard, saying children need their fathers regardless of finances.
• Others pushed back, arguing that love does not pay for food, clothes, or transport.
• The comments turned into a full-on values debate.

Penuel enters with a harder line

• Author and podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa jumped in with a more critical angle.
• He questioned the idea that time alone counts as real support when daily needs cost money.
• His point was blunt: kids still need to eat, get dressed, and move around.

Breaking down the practical reality

• Penuel zoomed in on logistics, like who buys the food, who pays for transport, and who covers communication costs.
• He argued that even without a job, effort still matters.
• Hustling small items or borrowing to contribute was framed as proof of intent.

Where he agreed, sort of

• Penuel did say access should not be blocked if the mother is also struggling financially.
• In cases where both parents are broke and relying on grants, he felt denial made no sense.
• That was his one big caveat.

Who should decide on financial support

• He pushed back on mothers being the sole judges of what counts as enough.
• His view was that fathers should calculate costs based on their lifestyle and cover half.
• The responsibility, in his eyes, needs structure, not vibes.

The final line in the sand

• Penuel ended by defending dads who are paying or genuinely trying.
• Blocking access in those cases, according to him, should not fly.
• And just like that, the debate stayed very much unresolved.