These sessions form part of the Hubs of Convergence (HoC) NRF-funded Global Change Social Sciences Research Project (GCSSRP), which falls under the DVC Engagement and Transformation at Mandela University. It is facilitated by the Engagement Office in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Department of Social Development Professions and The Hope Revolution Vision.
Stellenbosch University hosted the training over two days within their Master's in Educational Psychology programme, marking a significant milestone in integrating substance abuse prevention directly into the academic curriculum of trainee educational psychologists.
The session emphasised the connection between psycho-educational practice and community engagement, grounded in the THRV's commitment to transformative learning.
The team also facilitated a second two-day session at the Welkom Campus of the Central University of Technology (CUT).
This training engaged student wellness mentors and broader campus stakeholders in dialogue around peer leadership and social influence. Student reflections emphasised the power of lived experience, spiritual grounding, and community-rooted mentorship in confronting substance abuse and related vulnerabilities.
On 14 June, a significant engagement with over 20 Western Cape faith-based organisations and the Red Cross was hosted in the community of Elsies River in Cape Town. This engagement focused on strengthening collaboration between universities and faith-based communities in addressing the intersecting crises of substance abuse, crime, poverty, and broader social dislocation.
The meeting concluded with a landmark resolution: to convene a national summit in 2026 that brings together government, civil society, community-based organisations (CBOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations (FBOs), business, and academia to collectively respond to the deepening social challenges.
The next phase of the training rollout will take place through the University’s George Campus’ Hubs of Convergence, involving participants from both government departments and NGOs within the Garden Route District Municipality.
This will be followed by a final training session in Gqeberha, targeting 50 participants from a range of local organisations.
This session forms part of a Hub 4 collaboration between the Zwide Development Forum and the South African National Non-Governmental Coalition (SANGOCO) SANGCOCO, strengthening grassroots responses to substance abuse and social harm through capacity building and community-led action.