FathersMatter_za

12/06/2026

The Father I Want to See will try his best to provide for his children. He understands that even if he can't provide money, he can take care of them in other ways. He can be present and make them feel safe and loved.

What does providing for a child look like?

Enter The Father I Want Competition: bit.ly/FMYouthComp

10/06/2026

The Father I Want to See helps at home and supports the people he lives with. He shows care and respect every day, knowing his children will learn from him.

What are other ways a father can be helpful at home?

Enter The Father I Want Competition: bit.ly/FMYouthComp

TBC

08/06/2026

The Father I Want to See creates moments of joy. He spends time with his children, laughs with them, and makes them feel seen and wanted.

How do you make space for joy in your child’s life?

Enter The Father I Want Competition: bit.ly/FMYouthComp

05/06/2026

The Father I Want to Be stays connected. Even when I'm not physically there, I will make the effort to check in so my child knows they matter.

What other ways can fathers be present for children?

Enter The Father I Want Competition: bit.ly/FMYouthComp

02/06/2026

The Father I Want to See makes sure his children feel like they are being looked after. He understands that feeling safe starts with knowing your needs will be met and someone is there for you.

What does caring for a child mean to you?

Enter The Father I Want Competition: bit.ly/FMYouthComp

TBC

01/06/2026

💜 Youth Month Competition | POV: The Father I Want to Be / See 🩶

Calling on young people aged 10–18 to get creative and share what kind of father they want to be or see in the future 🎨🎥✍️🎙️

A parent, guardian, teacher, caregiver, or trusted adult must help submit entries.

🏆 Cash prizes to be won
📅 Closing date: 30 June 2026
Enter via:📲 WhatsApp: 067 399 3473 or
📧Email: [email protected]

Competition details: bit.ly/FMYouthComp

TBC

25/05/2026

Many South African boys grew up knowing why their fathers were away, but still feeling the impact of their absence.

Our latest story looks at the lasting impact of migrant labour on fatherhood and why boys still need guidance, presence and positive male role models. Sizwe’s story reminds us that inherited pain does not have to become inherited behaviour: https://www.heartlines.org.za/fathers-matter/stories/the-price-children-pay-for-migrant-labour

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Long before we had the social discussion about father absence, South Africa had already built systems that made it normal. Men left home not because they didn’t care, but because they had to.

08/05/2026

After surviving a violent hijacking, Themba Dlamini was left with one haunting question: “Where were their fathers?”

A powerful reflection on fatherlessness, violence, and the role fathers and father figures play in shaping safer communities:
https://www.heartlines.org.za/fathers-matter/media/calling-on-fathers-to-help-eliminate-violence

The Heartlines Fathers Matter campaign highlights how positive fatherhood and male role models can help prevent violence before it starts. 

06/05/2026

📅 Our impact this past month 💜🩶:

A month of connection, learning and strengthening families through fatherhood work.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Hosted a Fathers Matter workshop at Nokhuphila with a full team of facilitators.
👨‍🏫 Trained Level 5 ECD practitioners at Nokuthula Teachers Training Academy.
🤝 Ran a Fathers Matter ECD workshop in Rustenburg.
📸 Connected with LoveTrust ECD practitioners during a special Family Portrait session.

🩶💜 Building stronger families, one conversation at a time.