The 11th annual Recovery Walk is returning to Cape Town this weekend.
Hosted by the eponymous not-for-profit organisation, the walk will see attendees taking to the streets of the CBD to raise awareness for individuals recovering from various addictions and mental illnesses.
What’s more, the organisation will hand over an important piece of documentation to the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town.
WHEN IS THE RECOVERY WALK?
As reported by EWN, the Recovery Walk will take place this Saturday, 18 October 2025.
Participants will gather at the Central Methodist Mission in Greenmarket Square in the heart of Cape Town’s CBD at 10:00.
At 11:00, the walk will begin. It will culminate at Parliament, where the city’s government officials will receive a memorandum.
The memorandum outlines several requests, including (but not limited to):
- Encourage and support alcohol-free, drug-free public spaces and events that make inclusion possible for people in recovery and their families, friends, and colleagues.
- Formally recognise the Recovery Walk as part of the annual provincial and municipal mental health and addiction awareness calendars.
- Feature recovery stories, including peer-led initiatives, in provincial and municipal mental health and addiction campaigns to highlight hope and possibility.
IMPORTANT DETAILS AND ACTIVITIES
In addition to the walk, you can also partake in several activities on the day.
You will have the opportunity to listen to guest speeches, take part in open mic sessions, play sports and express yourself via creative workshops.
As a further show of support, the event organisers encourage you to wear purple clothing and to bring along banners and posters bearing uplifting messages.
Above all, remember that the event is meant to be a safe, inclusive space. You cannot bring alcohol or harmful substances.
WALK IN SOLIDARITY AND IN STRENGTH
The Recovery Walk is more than just a walk. It helps shine a light on those who are struggling with different types of addictions or mental illnesses, are doing their utmost to conquer them or have achieved some form of recovery.
Whether you’re in recovery or know someone who is, it’s important to celebrate these milestones without fear of being judged or ostracised.
By standing – or walking, in this case – in solidarity with each other, you support the vision of open recovery. This goes a long way in making celebratory events like these become part of the South African norm.
For more information about this weekend’s event and the memorandum, or to find out how else you can support Recovery Walk Cape Town’s mission, visit their official website at www.recoverywalk.co.za.
