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October 31, 2024 – Earlier this month, Caroline Descombris, WPDI Executive Director, traveled to Cape Town to visit WPDI’s programs there and strengthen local partnerships for maximizing our impact on the ground. The five-day trip, during which Caroline was accompanied by partners Regan Adams, CEO of RCS Group, Frédéric Thoral, Human Resources Director of BNP Paribas Personal Finance and his colleague Raphaël Palmeirao, Head of International HR Coordination, allowed her to assess the profound impact of WPDI’s peacebuilding and community empowerment initiatives firsthand, connect with beneficiaries and various stakeholders, and celebrate several important milestones.
The visit began with an event at the Pollsmoor Recreation Centre, where our Executive Director and her Chief of Staff, Valentine Goret, attended the graduation ceremony of prison staff who completed WPDI’s Conflict Resolution Education program. This ceremony marked the first implementation of such a program in South Africa, following its success in Tijuana, Mexico, and Karamoja, Uganda. The initiative aims to equip correctional officers with the tools to mediate conflicts, fostering a culture of peace within the prison system. As the pilot proved highly promising, we expect very positive developments in this regard in the coming period.
Later that same day, Caroline visited Khulani High School in Langa, where she met students aged 12-16 who are part of WPDI’s Peace Education program in their school. These students are being trained to become peer mediators, creating a safe and supportive environment at the school. The program, which includes an innovative Peace Club with art therapy, is WPDI’s first of its kind globally. Mr. Sange Mbontsi, a teacher at the school, shared, “It changed their lives. I have witnessed that the art is so therapeutic to them.”
Regan Adams, CEO of WPDI’s long-standing partner, RCS Group, expressed his hope for the future, saying, “What you’re doing here is truly incredible – I love the concept of a peace club centered around art therapy. When you carry that sense of peace inside, there’s no telling what you can achieve.”
The second day of the visit was marked by the graduation of the 2024 cohort of WPDI’s Women’s Livelihood Program, supported by partners the L’Oréal Fund for Women, BNP Paribas Foundation, and RCS Group. In total, 160 women graduated, having completed their training program in Business and Entrepreneurship. Speaking at the event, Regan Adams encouraged the graduates to continue supporting one another, highlighting the importance of community: “Maybe some of you are going to run businesses, maybe some of you will support those who are going to run businesses. But remember – always help each other, support each other, carry each other.”
Celeste Tema, Sustainability Lead at L’Oréal Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the broader impact of investing in women: “At L’Oréal, we believe in the strength and resilience of women, and the incredible impact they can have on the world. We know that when you invest in a woman, you don’t just invest in changing her life, but you create a ripple effect that can uplift families and transform entire communities.”
In her address to the audience, Caroline echoed these sentiments, adding, “We’ve seen shining examples of women who have succeeded through this program, who, despite the violence and the insecurity in their communities, remained dedicated and focused on their goals. Their commitment is truly inspiring.” As part of the event, 49 of the graduates who had previously pitched their business projects to a specialized jury found out the outcome of the Business Plan Competition, and 10 were selected to receive seed capital to launch their enterprises.
On the third day, WPDI’s Executive Director visited various businesses that had grown from our entrepreneurship programs. She met Mark Jackson at Jackson’s Nursery in Mitchell’s Plain, who overcame the challenges of the pandemic to train local youth in agriculture. Caroline Descombris also visited Julie’s Shop, “The Party’s Here,” opened in March by Julie, a 2023 Women’s Livelihood Program winner, and Tamryn’s Café Cuba food truck, another business born from the program. These visits highlighted the diverse successes of the Women’s Livelihood Program and the ripple effect it creates within local communities.
The fourth day involved a trip to Lavender Hill, where our Executive Director celebrated the achievements of 240 young people who completed WPDI’s conflict resolution and business training program, supported by the City of Cape Town and BNP Paribas. Speaking at the ceremony, she shared, “Whether you are starting a small business, working to mediate conflicts in your community, or stepping into a role of leadership, there will be tough moments ahead. There will be times when progress feels slow, but remember, challenges are not the end—they are moments to reflect, learn, and push further.”
Our Executive Director also visited Lavender Hill High School, where WPDI’s social work interns led an advocacy campaign on menstrual health. By distributing sanitary packs and reducing stigma through education, WPDI aims to empower young female students, improve school attendance, and promote overall well-being.
On the final day of her visit, our Executive Director attended the graduation ceremony of 106 students who had completed WPDI’s Conflict Resolution Education program at Riverside Primary School. She then visited Bridgetown’s WPDI x NBA Africa basketball court, the first of its kind in the area, where she watched a thrilling match between youths from Bridgetown and Langa—Langa ultimately won the competition.
This visit to Cape Flats emphasized the importance of expanding WPDI’s programs in Cape Town to create lasting peace and sustainable development. From empowering women and young entrepreneurs to fostering peace education in schools and communities, WPDI’s holistic approach continues to transform lives and bring hope to regions that need it most. Our Executive Director’s visit provided valuable insights and highlighted lessons that will be taken on board as we continue to innovate. Exchanges with partners and stakeholders during field visits have also been instrumental in shaping a program that better aligns with and responds to the unique needs of each community.
On the final day of her visit, our Executive Director attended the graduation ceremony of 106 students who had completed WPDI’s Conflict Resolution Education program at Riverside Primary School. She then visited Bridgetown’s WPDI x NBA Africa basketball court, the first of its kind in the area, where she watched a thrilling match between youths from Bridgetown and Langa—Langa ultimately won the competition.