Recovery activists demand better support from Cape Town's local government

SK

Sara-Jayne Makwala King

6 October 2025 | 11:02

The Recovery Walk takes place in Cape Town's CBD on 18 October from 10am to 1pm.

Recovery activists demand better support from Cape Town's local government
This month, a memorandum will be delivered to local government calling for formal recognition and support for people in recovery from addiction and mental health challenges.
It’s been drafted by Recovery Walk Cape Town, a community organisation established in 2015 as part of an international movement that holds events throughout September's Recovery Month.
"This memorandum is focused towards the City of Cape Town and to provincial government," said Jenny Chadwick, Committee member at Recovery Walk Cape Town.
Chadwick explains that recovery remains largely invisible in public life and suggests that stigma and discrimination continue to prevent many South Africans from seeking help.
She adds that despite government offering some services to those in need, there's much more that could be done.
"[We want government to] support recovery-friendly public culture...to encourage and support drug-free and alcohol-free public spaces."
They also want the City of Cape Town to officially endorse the annual Recovery Walk.
"To provide logistic and funding support for the Recovery Walk...and to promote cross-sector participation."
The memo also calls for visibility, dignity, and inclusion for a community that Cornelius says is too often left out of the conversation.
He said it's crucial to have lived-experience representation in all governance structures.
"Recovery voices matter, lived experience matters", said Warren Cornelius, also a committee member at Recovery Walk Cape Town.

Recovery Walk Cape Town committee members Jenny Chadwick and Warren Cornelius talk to CapeTalk's Weekend Breakfast presenter Sara-Jayne Makwala King.

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