Stories

When we share our stories, understanding, empathy and trust grow. Our relationships improve and we get a stronger sense of community. At Heartlines, we’ve seen how story-sharing has impacted and connected thousands of people beyond anything we could have imagined. Here are some of those stories.

All stories

My life in pictures

From humble beginnings to finally achieving one of her biggest goals, Dimakatso shares her story with us

Failure made me a better person

Harrington’s desire for a better life has been fight after fight, but he has hope that his future will be different.

Defying culture

Cultural norms and traditions are beautiful and complex, but in Nellie’s case, they were used as a weapon against her.

Continuing her father’s legacy

Mokgadi started beekeeping almost by accident. Being a black woman in a white male-dominated industry has not been easy, but she is determined to make it work.

Our kids need our voices

As a single father, Gosiame sees raising his daughter as a privilege.

You have to move on

Telling your story of forgiveness can help you gain freedom and move on with your life – even when the tragedy you have faced is too huge for words.

Pregnant at 17: All I wanted was to be free

Falling pregnant at age seventeen seemed to be the end of Nontokozo’s world. Her dreams had to be put on hold, and a degree seemed like a distant possibility.

They called me the little bastard

Blackie’s identity has been questioned from the moment he was born. He was born to white parents in apartheid South Africa, but he appeared coloured. His appearance made him a target for ridicule and cruelty.

My mother made it look easy

Many of us grow up thinking our mothers are supermoms, but it’s only when you become a parent yourself that you begin to really understand the sacrifices that make mothers real-life heroes.

Mitchells Plain exposed me to gangsterism

A potentially fatal eye operation and growing up in a community often notorious for drugs and gangsterism could not stop Lance from achieving his goals.

Residences were only for white students

When I applied to Rhodes University I was told there was no accommodation for me – their residences were for white students only.

I lost my daughter to cancer

Dear O, I miss you dearly, it’s been a while but I will be fine. Days are getting better, and everyone is doing just fine. Mommy is imagining a 20-year old you, in varsity and living your fullest life.

What's Your Story - Church