Aware.org unveils ambitious 2026 strategy after a year of impact
With over 200 000 South Africans reached in 2025, Aware.org celebrates its strongest partnerships yet, and sets a bold course for 2026, focusing on youth resilience, safer roads, and healthier beginnings.
South Africa’s leading alcohol harm reduction body, Aware.org, brought together government leaders, civil society partners, and community champions in Sandton.
This was to reflect on a year marked by measurable progress, and to unveil a bold national strategy, poised to reshape alcohol harm prevention in 2026.
For CEO Mokebe Thulo, the evening of November 13 was a celebration, not just of numbers, but of unity. “We’ve proven that when we unite with purpose, we create lasting change. Our work has reached schools, communities, and families across the country, but, above all, it’s touched lives, and that’s our greatest measure of success.”
Read more: AWARE.org celebrates a year of impact and reveals vision for safer communities in 2026
This year alone, Aware.org reached over 112 000 learners, engaged 14 500 parents, supported 3 456 roadblocks, leading to 6 145 DUI arrests, and connected with 3 400 women through sober pregnancy programmes.
Government applauds collective commitment
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, Children, and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka Steve Letsike described Aware.org’s work as an example of what can happen when institutions commit to shared solutions. “True impact happens when communities, businesses, and government work together. What we are building together in classrooms, the media, and on our roads is a future in which safety and dignity belong to everyone.”
Real stories from the ground
Community partners, too, shared reflections from the field. Youth sports coach Boitumelo Mahlangu, who works closely with Aware.org, through Altus Sport, delivered one of the evening’s most moving testimonies. She spoke about a boy, known as Bikiri, who once glamorised underage drinking, but has since become a peer advocate for responsible choices, and now dreams of becoming a doctor. “Being aware is not just about wearing a T-shirt; it’s about the action we take and the impact we have on young people. We’re shaping futures… One conversation and one choice at a time.”
Aware.org’s 2026 strategy:
1. Expansion, innovation, and collective impact: Aware.org chairperson Jordi Borrut-Bel laid out the organisation’s most ambitious roadmap to date, one built on scaling successes to reach even more families, learners, and communities. “Expansion, innovation, and collective impact, that’s our roadmap. In one year, we reached over 200 000 individuals. In 2026, we aim to go further.”
2. Youth development: #NoToU18 and next-gen programmes: Borrut-Bel announced an expanded national youth strategy. “Through #NoToU18, we’re nurturing resilient, self-aware youth. Our next-gen boys’ and girls’ programmes will create safe spaces for young people to explore relationship skills, gender equality, and mental health support, because the choices they make today will shape the South Africa of tomorrow.” The 2026 plan integrates fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) education into school interventions, targeting 100 000 learners, 10 000 parents, and 5 000 teachers.
Also read: Aware.org hold event to tackle the threat of drunk driving
3. Road safety: A model for national replication: He also highlighted the success of Aware.org’s metro-focused pilot programme, combining education, community awareness, and visible enforcement. “This model shows what’s possible when communities and justice systems work as one. It’s built for national replication, because safer roads mean stronger communities.”
4. Healthy beginnings: National expansion of sober pregnancy support: On maternal health, Borrut-Bel said: “With Sanca National, we will reach over 20 000 women, aged 12 to 45, across all nine provinces. Through our next-gen women/mothers programme, we’ll empower 500 mothers and mothers-to-be across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape.”
In recognition of their unwavering support, Aware.org recently held it’s Aware.org Implementation Partner Recognition Awards for 2025, recognising partners who exemplified excellence across the three core focus areas:
1. #NoToU18 pillar (Underage drinking prevention)
• Community Impact Award: SANCA Central – Ke Moja.
• Innovation in Prevention Award: United Through Sports and Eastern Cape Liquor Board.
2. Don’t drink and drive pillar (Road safety)
• Safe Roads Advocate Award: Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Police Department and Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department.
• Behavior Change Leadership Award: Road Traffic Management Corporation.
• Long-standing Law Enforcement Partner Award: Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
3. Sober pregnancies pillar (Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevention)
• Community Care Award: School of Hard Knocks, Next Gen Women for Mothers Programme.
• Collaborative Action Award: Foundation for Alcohol Related Research.
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