About Heartlines

Heartlines is a social and behaviour change organisation that encourages people to live out positive values.

In 2006, Heartlines came to the fore in an emphatic, award-winning fashion. We produced eight values-based films that launched our first national campaign, “8 Weeks. 8 Values. 1 National Conversation.”

Each film focused on a specific value, and accompanying resources encouraged people to take the conversation on that value further in a small-group setting, such as a classroom or faith-based group.

This approach has become a hallmark of the Heartlines brand – using relatable, true-to-life drama played out on film as a conduit to kick-start and engage in values-based conversations. Some of our core projects since then have focused on reconciliation, financial health and, now, fatherhood.

About the Fathers Matter programme

Fathers Matter is a Heartlines initiative that uses story and supporting resources to promote the positive and active role of fathers or men in the lives of children.

We aim to:

  • Create awareness and start conversations on why a father should be positively involved in his child’s life, no matter their age or stage of life.
  • Create a supportive environment and share resources that organisations and individuals can use to promote positive fatherhood.

In 2022, we released six short films that each explore different realities around fatherhood in South Africa. These films premiered on SABC 2 and are now freely available on our website and our YouTube channel.

Why do fathers matter?

Fathers matter because children matter. We believe that a father plays an important role in a child’s development, emotional well-being, educational achievements and future productivity – and we see this in research and through people’s personal experiences.

Our work also tries to challenge the idea that:

  • The role of a father is limited to that of a financial provider.
  • An unemployed father has nothing to offer his child.
  • A father should not be involved as a caregiver in his child’s life.
  • A man can only father as he was fathered.

All of these ideas are untrue, and unhelpful. If we want fathers to show up, we need to have conversations about the fact that fathers can support children emotionally and that cultivating a meaningful bond is not only about providing financially, but about taking an interest in a child and engaging with them.

How can Fathers Matter help your church?

Fathers Matter can help to:

  • Strengthen family life in your church.
  • Increase men’s involvement in their children’s lives.
  • Help raise more social fathers.
  • Positively impact children in your community.
  • Strengthen your men’s ministry and help men’s own wounds to heal.
  • Alleviate the burden on single mothers in your community.

What does Fathers Matter offer?

  1. Connection
  • We can link you to a Fathers Matter rep in your area who can provide support.
  • Our monthly newsletter features helpful information and stories.
  • We offer access to other organisations in the Fathers Matter network.
  • Online resource centre

Our website has lots of resources, courses, videos, stories and tips – for dads, and organisations or those working with dads. Find out more or sign up at fathersmatter.org.za

  • Resources for small groups and individuals

We’ve created a host of resources for individual fathers and groups to engage with. These include:

  • Online communities

We also help fathers connect with other men for advice and support in their fatherhood journeys through our social media channels.

Contact Heartlines

If you’d like to get in touch with Heartlines, you can contact us here:

Website: Contact us

Facebook: @FathersMatterZA

Twitter: @HeartlinesZA

Instagram: @heartlinesza

LinkedIn: Heartlines

YouTube: @HeartlinesZA