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
Uyanda Foundation: Journey to Steinkopf from the Mother City
Uthando (Love) South Africa and Heart of Cape Town are deeply proud to have sponsored the Uyanda Foundation’s inspiring “Journey of Peace, Love, Happiness, and Compassion” — a heartfelt mission that carried the spirit of the Mother City all the way to the community of Steinkopf in the Northern Cape. Along the journey, the Uyanda Foundation empowered women and youth through capacity-building programmes, shared joy and tenderness with the elderly, nourished the community with warm meals, and distributed clothing to bring comfort during the cold winter months. To support more life-changing initiatives like this, visit uthandosa.org/donate to make a contribution — or shop at heartofcapetownonlinestore.com, where 100% of proceeds go directly to Uthando’s social development projects. #peace #love #happiness #compassion #uyandafoundation #heartofcapetown #uthandosa
Moeen Ali & JP Duminy return to Lord’s for Cape Flats Charity Gala
Cape Flats Sports Academy, alongside Moeen Ali Cricket Academy, welcomed Moeen Ali and JP Duminy to the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, as it looked to raise money for a one of a kind sports institute in Cape Flats, South Africa. The event was hosted by acclaimed South African comedian Dalin Oliver, saw live entertainment throughout the night, and featured a Q&A session with Moeen Ali and JP Duminy. To find out more information about this project and Cape Flats Sports Academy, visit the website here: https://www.capeflatssportsacademy.com
VDay – Upington – June 2025
VDay - Upington - June 2025 Produced by Adnaan Digital Productions, this video showcases highlights from a recent “VDay” celebration in Upington, South Africa. It offers glimpses of the community event—capturing people gathering, cultural moments, and the festive atmosphere.
Future Hospitality Summit Africa, 2025. Community Partnership: FHS -Uthando, The Heart of Cape Town
The 18th June was a momentous occasion at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Uthando, The Heart of Cape Town was selected as the community partner of the Future Hospitality Summit for 2025, which saw us collect a donation of $4000. In addition to the donation which we are immensely grateful for, we were also given the opportunity to share our vision for what we want to achieve as a social development organisation. Thank you FHS Africa!
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.
