Home Fathers Matter

At a Fathers Matter workshop in Orange Farm, Heartlines facilitator, Gosiame Masike, stood at the front guiding conversations with warmth, energy and easy laugher. “Bo baba,” he began, scanning the room, “what do you do to give your child an identity?”

Community, glamour, fun and, of course, popcorn were all part of the wonderful media launch of our latest Fathers Matter film Playing Dad at Nu Metro, Hyde Park on 4 June 2025. 

There was a time when religious spaces avoided talking about gender justice. But over the years, more faith communities have recognised that silence actually reinforces harm. 

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

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.

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.