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.
All stories
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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Apartheid affected us all
In 2003 the white church leaders of our town repented to the black church leaders for the sins of apartheid. In 2008, we repented in the Mpumalanga government, and in 2017 we repented in Parliament.
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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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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. Read more about An Indian woman married to a black man
Living with dyslexia
A lecturer once said to me that if she were my mother she wouldn’t be wasting her money on someone like me. Read more about Living with dyslexia
A white young man at a Xhosa initiation school
Brandon and Yanelisa are friends who come from very different backgrounds: one of them is a white, English young man; the other a black, Xhosa young man. Read more about A white young man at a Xhosa initiation school
It all started when I was seven
Overcoming abuse is never an easy thing, especially if the abuse began in your childhood. Zandile, a brave young woman shares her story with us. Read more about It all started when I was seven
I have lived a life of pain
South African actor Israel Sipho Matseke Zulu (Israel Makoe) opens up about his name, growing up in Alexandra township and how being incarcerated changed his life. Read more about I have lived a life of pain
Raising a child with Haemophilia
Nerissa, a mother of two, shares her story of what it's like to raise a child with Haemophilia and how she's raising awareness about the condition. Read more about Raising a child with Haemophilia