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Waves for Change shows surf therapy at Muizenberg Beach

Published

The Cape Town non-profit demonstrated its Immersion programme on Saturday to mark World Mental Health Day. It says surf therapy helps vulnerable children build resilience, and it works with children referred by schools, hospitals and clinics.

Robyn Cohen, National Director of Waves for Change, said South Africa does not have enough mental health professionals. She said underserved communities have little to no access to mental health support.

Cohen said it is important to step in before challenges reach a breaking point. In her words: "We also know that in South Africa we don't have enough mental health professionals."

Lihle Mtise, a training officer at Waves for Change, also took part in the event.

Key facts

Who
Robyn Cohen (National Director of Waves for Change); Lihle Mtise (Training officer at Waves for Change)
What
Waves for Change, a Cape Town non-profit, demonstrated its Immersion surf therapy programme at Muizenberg Beach to highlight how surf therapy helps vulnerable children build resilience. The organisation works with children referred by schools, hospitals and clinics.
When
10 October 2026
Where
Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town
Status
Reported

Elections Hot

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There were problems: unused ballot papers were stolen from Mnyameni Secondary School near Durban, police opened a case, and the IEC relieved the station staff of duty. Some voters in Tshwane said they were turned away for wearing party shirts, but the IEC denied this and said only mayoral candidates' entourages were barred.

ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe told members not to query the results or discredit the IEC, while the IEC said false online claims show routine procedures as fraud.

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US mid-terms Heating up

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Democrats won back both the US House and Senate in the midterm elections held on 3 November, according to media projections. Exit polls showed voters were angry about high prices and the direction of the country, and rebuked President Donald Trump.

Before the vote, US forces struck targets on Qeshm Island in Iran, while Republicans struggled to defend the war against Iran on the campaign trail. Iranian officials said US voters rejected the war, and Tehran stayed on high alert for possible new US strikes.

Markets reacted, with the dollar hitting a one-month low and the rand firming to around R16.55, as analysts pointed to fears of gridlock in Washington.

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AI Cooling

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