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OUR STORY

About Recovery
Walk Cape Town

The story behind a movement celebrating recovery, connection and hope.

WHO WE ARE

People do recover — and that deserves to be celebrated

Recovery Walk Cape Town (RWCT) is an independent group collaborating with like-minded organisations. We support open recovery. We support inclusive, clean & sober events. We are not affiliated with any organisations, corporations, 12-step groups, political parties, or religions.

We exist to challenge the stigma that shames and silences people — and to create an event focused on supporting and enhancing mental health.

Our team is made up entirely of volunteers. Our aim is simple: to celebrate recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, as well as mental illness — to show that people do recover, and to honour the many pathways that bring them there.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Recovery Walk Cape Town is a part of an open recovery movement. We celebrate all forms of recovery from addiction & other mental illnesses.

We celebrate all pathways to recovery.

Recovery Walk Cape Town is a free, inclusive, sober community event. It brings together people in recovery, families, professionals, allies and advocates to share stories, connect with support networks and challenge the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health.
Through a symbolic walk in the streets of Cape Town, we celebrate recovery and inspire hope, connection and healing.

OUR STORY

A walk that grew into a movement

2014

Where it began

A meeting was called for people interested in learning about Recovery Walks happening internationally during September — the month of international recovery awareness.

2015

The first Recovery Walk Cape Town

On 24 September 2015 — Heritage Day in South Africa — the first Recovery Walk was held in Cape Town. The route ran from the Central Methodist Mission in Green Market Square to The Labia Theatre.

2015 - 2018

Growing together

The walk ran successfully for four years and grew to around 400 people gathering to celebrate recovery. Messages of support arrived from Recovery Walks around the world — and in 2018, from the Mayor of Cape Town.

2019

A new home

The Recovery Walk moved from the Cape Town CBD to the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone. The event was again well attended, with the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health as guest speaker at the official opening.

2020

Adapting through adversity

The team planned to return to the Joseph Stone Auditorium, but the pandemic made large gatherings impossible. Rather than stopping, they adapted: a Recovery Drive took the message of recovery to seven areas around greater Cape Town by hired truck — a recovery event that continued under severe restrictions.

2021

Recovery in the park

The Recovery Walk was held at Maynardville Park in Wynberg — a day of activities, recovery stalls and a short walk, livestreamed for those who couldn’t attend. A recovery day in the park, enjoyed by everyone who came.

2022 - 2024

The biggest walk yet, in Mitchells Plain

Recovery Walk Cape Town found a new home through The Spring Foundation and Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital, and it became the biggest walk yet. More than 700 participants took to the streets of Mitchells Plain, and Lentegeur agreed to host future Recovery Walk Cape Town events.

2025

Back to the city

The walk returned to Cape Town CBD, and once again a successful event was held.

2026

Still in the city

On 10 October 2026 — World Mental Health Day — the Recovery Walk returns once more to Cape Town CBD, continuing to carry its message of hope and recovery through the streets.

MORE THAN A WALK

The walk is the symbol. This is what it's really about.

Connection. Community. Hope. Recovery. Belonging.

The walk creates a space where people can come together, share stories, connect with support networks — and openly celebrate recovery.

A COMMUNITY-POWERED ORGANISATION

Help us keep the movement walking

Recovery Walk Cape Town is a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation (NPO 193-592). Everything we do is made possible through community support and donations.
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Recovery is possible. And nobody should have to walk alone.

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