Fathers Matter
Heartlines hosts author workshop for fatherhood research publication
Head of Research at Heartlines, Livhuwani Maphorogo, convened a workshop for authors contributing to an upcoming Heartlines publication on interdisciplinary perspectives on fatherhood, masculinity and youth in South Africa.
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Fathering my father
Themba has carried the strange inheritance of needing to father his father, and has come to believe that it means three different things. Read his powerful reflections.
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'I grew up without a father and I turned out fine'
We are very sure about fatherlessness, and that's a problem. Themba Dlamini shares how one radio conversation exposed a national blind spot about faterhood in South Africa.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How do we celebrate our young girls, not at the expense of the boy child?
The question of celebrating young girls without sidelining boys is a hot topic. And it deserves real thought, because the last thing we want is to solve one problem by creating another.
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Playing Dad film premiere
The premiere of Playing Dad, the seventh installment in its Fathers Matter film series, brought together cast and crew, research and development contributors, corporate leaders and media partners. The evening was a celebration and a moment to reflect on the role of fathers in children's lives.
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How to teach your child the value of honesty
Do all children lie? When should you as a parent or guardian intervene? And, most importantly, how do you handle a dishonest child?
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