About the Heart of Cape Town
A Movement for Peace, Love & Kindness
At a time when the world feels divided, the Heart of Cape Town offers a reminder that love, peace, kindness and compassion can unite us all. More than just a campaign, it’s a growing movement — an invitation to Live from Your Heart.
Sparked by illuminated, hand-crafted wire hearts, produced locally in Cape Town, the initiative stemmed from the innovative vision of Uthando South Africa’s founder, James Fernie.
The Heart of Cape Town campaign has evolved over the last couple of years to become a symbol of hope, spreading a message of Love, Peace, Kindness, Compassion and Unity, both locally and abroad.
How It All Began
What started in November 2023 as a simple idea — to promote and distribute illuminated wire hearts made by local artisans as a vehicle for spreading a message of love and peace — has grown to become a multi-pillared project building on the values of the heart and spreading the message far and wide. The beautiful wire hearts of all sizes and colours have featured at and been gifted to attendees at major travel trade shows here in Cape Town, such as We Are Africa, WTM Africa and ILTM Africa, sparking conversations, capturing imaginations and encouraging everyone to carry the message home. Rooted in heart-centred values, the campaign is driving an Evolution of the Heart connecting people through art, heart-led experiences and community projects that demonstrate Love in Action.
The cornerstones of the Heart of Cape Town campaign
At the heart of this movement are key focus areas that bring our vision to life — through art, action and connection. Each one represents a way we’re turning values into visible, meaningful change across Cape Town and beyond.
Illuminated Wire Hearts
Hundreds of handcrafted hearts shared across Cape Town and globally —each one a symbol of peace and connection.
Giant Heart Sculpture
A monumental public art installation at the V&A Waterfront, serving as a beacon of hope, unity, and love for all who visit.
Mini Heart Pods
Interactive spaces for reflection, learning and community engagement near the giant heart sculpture.
Heart of Cape Town Peace Centre
A place for dialogue, education and programmes centred around peace-building, reconciliation and social justice.
Global City Portal (Future Vision)
An international digital window connecting Cape Town to cities across the world—spreading global messages of hope and peace.
Impact on Communities
The Heart of Cape Town is not just a symbol — it’s central to the work of Uthando and its extensive network of social development projects.
From early childhood education centres built with sustainable materials, to women’s empowerment programmes, music concerts in underserved neighbourhoods and food security initiatives, the values of love, peace, compassion and unity are carried into action every single day.
Whether it’s community concerts uniting people through music or the installation of kind heart benches to upskilling women and school-based projects, our work is woven into grassroots change.
Every project supported by Uthando becomes an extension of the Heart of Cape Town campaign — uplifting lives, fostering dignity and building bridges. This is love in action: visible, tangible and transformational.
The Heart of Cape Town is a Uthando (Love) South Africa initiative.
Latest Videos
Kind Heart Bench – Goal50 ECD Centre, sponsored by We Are Africa
Goal50 ECD Centre - Kind Heart Bench, proudly sponsored by @weareafricatravel A Kind Heart Bench is a symbol of support, love, and care towards people suffering with mental health challenges. Thank you @weareafricatravel for spreading the love, and continuing to support local communities in Cape Town ❤️ A special thanks to @escapeexplore & @alliehunt for attending #weareafrica #uthandosouthafrica #kindheartbenchproject #goal50ecd
230 Music bags donated to Kronendal Music Academy, proudly sponsored by Personal Africa
On Friday 25th July 2025, Our founder @jamesferniect visited @kronendalmusic to hand over 230 music bags, proudly sponsored by @personal.africa who were also kind enough to sponsor a saxophone for one of the students. As part of the visit, @jamesferniect spent some time with the students, sharing heartfelt wisdom about the importance of treating one another with love, & kindness. #personalafrica #kronendalmusicacademy #uthandosouthafrica #musicbags #saxophone
Kind Heart Bench installation at Christel House South Africa, sponsored by We Are Africa
A Kind Heart Bench is a symbol of support towards those struggling with mental health challenges. It offers meaningful support via plaques containing suicide hotlines, breathing techniques, and first responder contacts. Thank you @weareafricatravel for sponsoring the bench as well as the 75 trees planted on school grounds at Christel House in Ottery. #weareafrica #christelhouse #uthandosouthafrica #kindheartbenchproject
Goal50 ECD Centre, Heideveld – Phase 1 construction complete
Phase 1 of 3 of Goal50 Early Childhood Development Centre project in Heideveld is now complete. Next up: painting the interior and exterior walls before we move on to Phases 2 and 3. This innovative build was constructed by the @natural.building.collective, using eco-conscious materials like unwanted tyres, plastic bottles stuffed with non-recyclables, and film-set bricks to bring Phase 1 to life. Phases 2 & 3 coming soon… Watch this space!
Letters of endorsement for the Heart of Cape Town Campaign
Adrienne Belafonte Biesemeyer, daughter of iconic human rights activist, actor and singer Harry Belafonte.
Barbara Shaiman, daughter and grand daughter of Holocaust survivors and founder of Champions of Caring based in the USA
David Rosenberg, American Philanthropist and Friend of Uthando since 2015
We all feel what other people are going through whether we are conscious of it or not.
At a deep level we are all affected by the horrifying and unimaginable tragedy of war, violence and division.
At a distance it appears there is not much that each of can do, but in truth each and everyone of us can act as a “Lighthouse of Love, Kindness and Peace”.
This state of being comes from our HEARTS.
We are all one.
We are all Brothers and Sisters.
With all of our differences, arguments, disagreements and battles we have forgotten that we are all one life together.
The Heart of Cape Town Documentary
The Heart of Cape Town, an initiative led by Uthando (Love) South Africa, passionately champions a profound message of Peace, Kindness and Love worldwide, whilst illuminating the truly inspiring and innovative work of South African community development projects and activists.
