This study explores interpersonal issues and challenges confronting ex-combatant fathers and their sons in post-apartheid South Africa. It draws on life-story interviews conducted with six father–son pairs. The interviews were subjected to a thematic interpretive analysis, which revealed a number of salient themes. Some of these were shared by both fathers and sons, while others were specific to each cohort. Shared themes were the nature of the father–son relationship and silence. The need for psychosocial support was specific to the fathers, while substitute fathers and emotional–behavioural difficulties were specific to the sons. The study holds important policy implications for addressing the needs of ex-combatant families.