Articles – Heartlines

Why women matter in the Fathers Matter story

Stats SA reports that 42% of children in South Africa live in single-mom households. So how can we say that fathers matter? We believe that encouraging men to step up as active, positive and present role models for children, will benefit women too.

“Are we a seed in our father before we're in our mother's womb?”

Fathers Matter wasn’t created to invalidate the important role that mothers play. We want to highlight and support the positive and active role fathers and men play in the lives of children, in order to lessen the risks linked to the absence of fathers or positive male role models.

Heartlines Fathers Matter recently partnered with the City of Joburg to facilitate a critical conversation about the role that positive, active and present male role models and fathers can play in children’s lives.

Forging a new path for fatherhood in the Eastern Cape

Honest conversations and creating safe spaces for reflection helped men in the Eastern Cape to take important steps towards re-writing the story of fatherhood for children in the region.

How to save during any season

As South Africans we are definitely known for our resilience and our ability to ride out storms. But one thing we aren't known for is being a "nation of savers". Why do we find it so hard to save?

Why we should talk about money in church

The Bible has a lot to say about money, but in church we often restrict our conversations about finances to tithing, church building funds and offerings. What can Christians do to help their faith communities get financially healthy?

How will you grow your money?

For a lot of us, payday can be stressful. If we don't have a plan of action for our hard-earned money, we’ll never get to enjoy the benefits of watching the money we have worked for provide us with a better life.

A bigger wallet doesn’t make you a better father

As much as we’d like to think more money would solve all our problems, children would rather have a dad who is involved in their lives than one who sends money but doesn’t know them.

Reflecting on the past, shaping the future

As we honour the legacy of the youth of 1976, we are reminded of the enduring spirit of resilience and hope that characterises South Africa’s young people. They are the torchbearers of change.

Effective community mediation begins with empathy

Nobody wins during community unrest. At our recent peace-building Bridge event with clerics in the KZN region, the sentiment was clear: we cannot stand by idly and let division and unrest unfold. We need more community mediators.

'Fatherhood is a life or death issue'

When men look at their own childhood experiences and create space for sharing and healing, it frees them up to be a positive father influence for future generations. This was the message from the latest Fathers Matter Ambassadors Conference in the Western Cape.

Nkosinathi Sixabayi’s life was changed for the better by the men who were social fathers to him, and as an adult he is now intentional about being a positive, safe role model for other children too.

Heartlines