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.

Do you have a story that everyone needs to hear? We want to hear it! Share your story here.

Video stories

Audio stories

Written stories

All stories

Bridging communities, building futures

The Building Futures programme aims to strengthen and increase collaboration in communities such as George, where a pilot was done with 26 participants from different sectors across society.

My story of belonging

Can we call a place home if we are not from there? Can we look different to our neighbour and still belong? Can we believe different things and still find common ground?

The story behind my values

We may assume that our way of approaching these big life moments of births, deaths and marriages is ‘right’, but it’s actually a reflection of our cultural values, and other people may have different views and expectations in those moments.

The story behind my traditions

Maize is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of us eat it in the form of maize meal – but how that maize meal is prepared is very different around the country and continent! This article in our Heritage Day series looks at the story behind our traditions – food and otherwise.

The story behind my language

No matter where the river of your life’s journey has taken you, your language is something that you carry with you. It gives you a sense of identity, connectedness and belonging. This article in our Heritage Day series looks at the story behind our language.

The quiet strength of today’s youth

South Africa’s youth are resilient, vibrant and full of potential. But beneath that resilient spirit lies a generation grappling with silent struggles. We asked some young people how they still show kindness and empathy towards others and themselves.

What does empathy mean to Gen Z?

"Empathy is feeling someone’s struggles, even when they’re not yours," reflects Pule, 26. For many young people today, empathy is more than just a buzzword – it is a way of connecting, understanding, and building relationships in an increasingly complex world.

I am not my work

Telamsile had to learn how to be herself and hold true to her values as part of a demanding career in an intense industry that doesn't always see the damage it can do in society.

Empathy as South Africa's superpower

Empathy, fostered through storytelling, is the spark that ignites transformation. It can reshape hearts, minds and communities. Imagine the ripple effect if you infused empathy into your daily interactions or community. What new possibilities could you unlock? What barriers could you shatter?

Acknowledging the healing power of storytelling for mental health

The first time I was encouraged to review my life story, I was sceptical. The idea struck me as an exercise in self-indulgent navel-gazing, even futility. What good could it do to review a past that couldn’t be changed? But I agreed to try, and what an impact it had.

What it means to create safe spaces in the workplace

We hear a lot about creating “safe spaces” in the workplace, but what do these safe spaces look like? And most importantly, how do we do it?

The power of heritage in South Africa

South Africa has a complex past, so a day like Heritage Day can be met with mixed emotions. But what if we were open to exploring the aspects of our own heritage, as well as the heritage of those around us, to understand ourselves and each other better?

What's your story