Articles – Heartlines

How to vote in a way that reflects what matters most to you

What if you chose to vote differently this year? What if you chose to vote based on what you value rather than voting based on who's popular?

The measure of a man is not in his fists

In many communities, the dominant image of manhood remains physical – protect, provide, endure, fight. These instincts are not inherently wrong. But they are incomplete.

Who will cry for the boy?

Before he was Dr Mzamo Masito, a respected author and advocate for young boys and men, he was just another child trying to survive in the townships of the Western Cape while struggling with his own ‘father wound’. A wound that he would have to confront as he got older.

Fathers Matter is Heartlines' flagship programme

When we first introduced the Fathers Matter programme, we had one clear mission: to address a deep and often unspoken wound that many South Africans carry. Now, Fathers Matter is the core focus at Heartlines as we look to halve fatherlessness in a generation.

What parents should know about teenage dating

The world teenagers are navigating often looks nothing like the one their parents grew up in. Youth leaders who walk closely with teenagers every week see this shift clearly and believe parents need to understand the realities shaping teenage relationships today.

A different kind of New Year’s resolution

As this year starts, the most meaningful resolution you can make may not be about what you want to achieve, but about how you choose to live.

A survivor’s reflection on how to rethink 16 Days

Every year posters go up, campaigns roll out, and we hear the same speech over and over again, but we still have women and children dying as a result of gender-based violence.

What parents, teachers and communities can actually do to stop bullying

Bullying is a community sickness that needs a community cure. Parents, teachers, neighbours, coaches – everyone has a part to play. Victory isn’t when the bully backs off. Victory is when the child knows, without even thinking twice, that an entire village stands behind them.

How we can overcome bullying and build safer schools

Through initiatives involving young people, communities, education and law enforcement, dedicated South Africans are working to reduce violence and inspire empathy and trust.

Rethinking Fatherhood, Gender, and Masculinity in South Africa: A Symposium on Youth Perspectives

On 29 October 2025, Heartlines, in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand School of Governance hosted the Rethinking Fatherhood, Gender, and Masculinity in South Africa symposium.

Hey dads, big news about parental leave

Fathers Matter encourages men to play an active and positive role in their children’s lives by developing skills around caregiving and emotional presence. The new law about parental leave is an opportunity for fathers to do exactly that from the very beginning, creating space for both parents to share the work and the joy of raising a newborn.

How to support your child through exam season as a co-parent

Co-parenting through exam season isn't always easy, but it can work if both parents are committed to supporting their child.