Stories – Fathers Matter

Papa do my hair

Is haircare a woman's job? Mahlatse Mashua doesn't think so. When his daughter asked him to do her hair while his wife was away, he realised he needed to learn some practical skills.

Fathers Matter and Stellenbosch FC

Professional athletes face serious pressure through their careers and they need positive relational support on their journeys. This can be from their fathers, or social fathers around them who give them encouragement and guidance.

How to show up even when money is tight

There is lots of pressure on men to provide financially for their children. But what happens when they don't have a job? Here are some ideas for ways fathers can care for their children when money is tight.

Finding light in the dark

Loadshedding is adding stress and frustration to our lives. But perhaps there are ways we can still use the difficult times during power outages to connect with our children?

Dads Connect Fun Day in Pictures

Fathers Matter and Sisanda Henna hosted a fun day on Saturday 26 November 2022 for fathers and their children to spend some quality time together enjoying fun, food and community together.

Breaking down generational narratives of masculinity

Meet Eric Mogale, the director of Manskap, one of the six films in Heartlines’ Fathers Matter Film Series. Eric has worked as a creative director, director and producer for a number of well-known South African productions.

'We all need to be engaged in the act of raising children'

Zamo Mkhwanazi is an experienced filmmaker who has worked on television shows, short films and feature films. She shares her thoughts on being a director in the Fathers Matter film series and why she thinks South Africa needs to be talking about the realities of fatherhood.

Fathers Matter hosts its first in-person networking event

With COVID-19 restrictions now lifted, Fathers Matter was able to host its first in-person networking event in Rosebank, Johannesburg on 28 July 2022. Find out what the event was all about.

'A story with a heart is worth seeing'

Twiggy Matiwana is an award-winning director with an innate curiosity and love for storytelling and film. She embraced the opportunity to direct one of the new Heartlines Fathers Matter films because she felt it was an important story to tell.

'Men must also turn against other men if they are violent'

Fathers in Daveyton united over the need to address gender-based violence and show up for the women and children in their community.

Is paying pap geld, being an ATM and having material wealth the only way to be a good father in South Africa?

A meeting of dads at Riverbank Primary School unlocked a debate that set out to change the hearts of men.

Meet the director of one of Heartlines' new films

Meet Rea Rangaka, the director of one of the films in Heartlines' new Fathers Matter film series. Rea has extensive experience as a director and co-producer in South Africa and the USA, and has won a number of local and international awards for his work.