DEPARTMENT RENEWS SUPPORT FOR NPO’S TACKLING SUBSTANCE ABUSE

By Sipho Ncube

• Personal Triumph to Public Impact: Andile Gaelesiwe’s transformation of her traumatic past into a support system for others is a compelling story of resilience and activism.
• Link Between GBV and Substance Abuse: Open Disclosure’s discovery of how deeply intertwined these issues are highlights the need for integrated social support services.
• Innovative Healing Approaches: With therapies like spa and ice bath treatments, the organisation is redefining recovery, offering not just counselling but full-body wellness support.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development – Northern Corridor – has reaffirmed its commitment to combatting substance abuse by signing renewed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) for the 2025–2026 financial year. Among the supported organisations is Open Disclosure, a Soshanguve-based NPO founded by celebrated sexual rights activist and media personality Andile Gaelesiwe.
These renewed agreements ensure that NPOs like Open Disclosure can continue providing critical services without disruption, especially in communities hardest hit by substance abuse.
Founded in 2002, Open Disclosure emerged from Gaelesiwe’s deeply personal experiences. A survivor of sexual abuse—first by her father at age 11 and later by a taxi driver—she turned her trauma into purpose, initially hosting healing conversations in public parks while working at YFM radio.
“So many people came to speak out that the late former Minister of Social Development, Dr. Zola Skweyiya, introduced me to the Gauteng Department of Social Development. That’s when we formalised the programme,” Gaelesiwe shared.
Initially addressing gender-based violence (GBV), Open Disclosure observed that many GBV survivors were also using substances as a coping mechanism. This observation led the organisation to broaden its scope to include support services for substance abuse recovery.
With growing demand, a second office was launched in Soshanguve, supported by the then-head of the Department, Shoki Tshabalala. Today, Open Disclosure offers a holistic healing model that incorporates unconventional therapies, such as spa and ice bath treatments, to aid in the physical and emotional recovery of its clients.
“We noticed that many of the people we intake are physically unwell. Once they recover, they often want to give back and help others. That shows us that recovery truly is a lifelong journey,” Gaelesiwe noted.
For the upcoming financial year, Open Disclosure will continue receiving support through the Department’s Ke Moja Programme, Prevention and Awareness Campaigns, and Outpatient Services. This funding ensures that the organisation’s life-changing work in vulnerable communities not only continues but expands its impact.