Thrive Initiative’s Philippi Workshop Sparks Strong Commitment to Six-Week Programme
PRESS RELEASE
December 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thriving Youth Take the Lead: Thrive Initiative’s Philippi Workshop Sparks Strong Commitment to Six-Week Programme
The Thrive Initiative has marked a major breakthrough in youth engagement and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, with 50 young people attending its recent youth workshop in Philippi Village and 25 of them committing to continue into a six-week personal development programme.
Held during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November - 10 December), the workshop responded to a growing sentiment across Cape Town’s townships: “We are tired of GBV talks.” Not because the crisis has ended, but because traditional awareness approaches often miss the lived realities of young people, particularly young men who feel blamed rather than included.
On Friday, 5 December, Thrive hosted a free, human-centred workshop for youth from Nyanga and surrounding communities, opening a new kind of conversation, one grounded in listening, understanding and dignity rather than shame or fear.
Community members shared a clear message with Thrive facilitators ahead of the event;
“Please, not another GBV event where we feel shamed or blamed. We’re tired. We’re overwhelmed.”
In response, Thrive created a space where “raw, unfiltered, real township youth” could explore the emotional and social pressures that often sit beneath violence, including stress, identity struggles, emotional overload and a lack of belonging.
“We are not excusing violence. We are addressing the root causes,” said Brian Segal, Founder of the Thrive Initiative. “If we want lasting change, we have to start with the human being behind the behaviour.”
The workshop served as the entry point into Thrive’s six-week programme, designed to build emotional resilience, strengthen communication skills and foster healthier relationships. Rather than focusing on what not to do, the programme offers young people a safe space to talk honestly about what they feel, fear and hope for.
The strong response speaks for itself;50 youth attended, and 25 have already committed to continue the journey.Communities are no longer looking for more lectures or warnings.
They are calling for connection, respect and real solutions.Thrive is answering that call with a reset, a bold, youth-led, human approach to preventing violence by first understanding the person.
For information, check the Thrive website on www.thrive-initiative.com or email [email protected].
For media queries, contact Candice Jansen on email [email protected].
Ends
Issued by:
Heads Up Communications
On behalf of Thrive Initiative
About The Thrive Initiative
The Thrive Initiative is a South African non-profit organisation committed to transforming lives and strengthening communities through stress-release, somatic-based healing, and communication training. Thrive works with schools, youth, and community leaders to address the root causes of bullying, gender-based violence, and disconnection by teaching practical tools for self-regulation, empathy, and healthier communication.
