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.

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One can be free and still be a slave

Moss Ntlha reflects on life as an unfree person under the oppressive system of apartheid. He also offers encouragement for how to live fully as a free person in a democratic South Africa.

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I lost a loved one to domestic violence

Losing a loved one to domestic violence impacted Tebogo in a profound way. But then a trending hashtag #menaretrash, and a conversation with his wife, shifted his mindset even further.

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I took his shame and made it my identity

The sexual abuse Connie endured while her family lived in a squatter camp was the beginning of a tough road that would include anorexia, drugs, abuse, infidelity, prostitution and her daughter’s suicide. Against all odds, Connie triumphed.

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WYS story

I have been through all the cancer meds

Radiation, chemotherapy, a mastectomy - and medication for life. What more could one woman have to face? Nava shares her brave story of living with and battling cancer.

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Zhaunine

I was dead for 45 minutes

After a heart attack left her without a heartbeat for 45 minutes, Zhaunine’s journey to the other side of death and back gave her new purpose and hope for her life.

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I thought white people were more capable

A young black comrade in the armed struggle and an older white man conscripted to the army during apartheid South Africa find an unexpected point of connection.

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I was declared blind at 17

Leanne’s eyesight started deteriorating when she was 10, and by 17 she was declared clinically blind. Yet her disability has not stopped her from accomplishing remarkable feats.

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If I was black, it would have been worse

Despite the tragedy and abuse in his family growing up, Quinton believes life would have turned out far worse, had he been born black in apartheid South Africa.

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I used to study maths in the toilet

Rechelle's exceptional talent for mathematics and her commitment to study and persevere have put Heideveld on the map for all the right reasons.

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We got by each day even though we were not rich

Mashudu, a young woman from Limpopo, shares her story of growing up in poverty – yet being able to triumph above her circumstances.

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010 Romela

My attacker infected me with HIV

Eleven years ago, Romila was attacked and raped on her way home. Aside from the trauma of the initial attack, she later found she was HIV positive.

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An Indian woman married to a black man

My father was not happy that I was dating a black man and found it extremely challenging to accept my relationship.

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