Free World Initiative

21/09/2026

The recent discovery of nine women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni has left many women grieving, fearful and emotionally overwhelmed.

Dr Colinda Linde, Clinical Psychologist and SADAG Board Chairperson, shares her perspective on the collective trauma many women are experiencing and why this moment has brought years of accumulated fear and grief to the surface. As women across South Africa mourn and speak out, Dr Linde highlights the impact of living with constant vigilance and the importance of meaningful, long-term change.

Read the full article by The National to hear more from Dr Linde on the collective grief and trauma many women are experiencing. Click the link to read more: https://buff.ly/7lmUqYW

16/09/2026

With The South African Depression and Anxiety Group – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

15/09/2026

Yesterday morning, when eNCA contacted Free World Initiative to speak about the safety of women in public spaces, we were talking about four women’s bodies found in and around Kempton Park.

By the time I sat down for the interview yesterday afternoon, it was five.

There was also a woman who had managed to escape an alleged kidnapping attempt.

Today, 15 September, we are talking about seven women’s bodies.

Seven.

Police are still investigating the circumstances of these deaths and whether all the cases are connected, and we must allow that investigation to take its course.

But we do not need an investigation to tell us that women are afraid.

We spoke to eNCA about what it means when something as ordinary as going for a run requires a woman to calculate risk: What time should I go? Which route? Should I go alone? Who has my location? Is someone following me?

We cannot continue responding to violence against women only by giving women a longer list of things they must do to stay alive.

Women should not have to earn safety by restricting their freedom.

Yes, take precautions. Yes, heed the current warnings. But the responsibility for violence remains with those who perpetrate it — and with all of us to build communities and systems that prevent it.

Women have the right to run.
To walk.
To work.
To travel.
To exist in public spaces.

The solution cannot be that women stop living. Our thoughts are with every family waiting for answers, every family grieving, and every woman whose sense of safety has once again been shaken.

🎥 Free World Initiative speaking to eNCA on women’s safety and violence in public spaces.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group

14/09/2026

Pain does not always look like pain. Sometimes it hides behind, joy, a smile, talent, confidence, anger or silence.

For Su***de Prevention Month, Free World Initiative shares this visual story, written and voiced by Lesedi Nkosi.

Through his own words, Lesedi speaks honestly about childhood illness, mental-health struggles, self-hatred and suicidal thoughts. His story reminds us that suicidal thoughts can affect anyone. They are not a weakness, and asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.

Please watch, listen and share with care.

When someone tells you they are struggling, offer a HAND:

H — Hear
A — Ask
N — Navigate
D — Do it together

Stay with them. Help them reach support. Check in again.

A friendly hand can become a lifeline. No one should face the dark alone. 🕯️

To every family who has lost someone to su***de: we honour the life of your loved one, we see the grief you carry, and you do not have to carry it alone.

⚠️ Content notice: This visual story contains strong language and frank first-person references to su***de and emotional distress.

If you are battling suicidal thoughts, contact the SADAG Su***de Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567. If there is immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Written and voiced by Lesedi Nkosi
Free World Initiative Visual Story

***dePreventionMonth
ChildLife FoundationMiss South AfricaActivate@followersDepartment of Social DevelopmentNational Department of Health (South Africa)Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities CHILD Patrick ShaiRiky Rick MakhadoJade' Chenal GreenLifeline988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
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Send a message to learn more

11/09/2026

With Miss South Africa – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

11/09/2026

With ChildLife Foundation – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

11/09/2026

🩸Ending Period Poverty — Because Dignity Should Never Be a Luxury

At Free World Initiative, ending period poverty is deeply important to us.

For many girls and young women, getting their period can mean having to worry about something as basic as whether they have a sanitary pad. When there simply isn’t enough money at home, menstrual products can become one more expense a family has to choose between and other essentials.

No learner should have to miss school, improvise with unsafe alternatives, feel embarrassed, or sit in a classroom worried about bleeding through her clothes because she cannot afford sanitary products.

This is why our End Period Poverty campaign runs throughout the year — not only during Women’s Month, Menstrual Hygiene Day or when the issue happens to be trending.

Whenever we enter schools and communities, dignity forms part of our work. Where possible, we distribute sanitary towels and hygiene products alongside our mental-health, GBV-prevention and youth-development programmes.

But we cannot do it alone. ❤️

We welcome donations throughout the year, whether that is sanitary towels and other hygiene products or a financial contribution that allows us to purchase and distribute products where they are most needed.

Every packet matters. Every contribution matters. Because a period should never be the reason a girl misses an opportunity to learn.

To support the FWI End Period Poverty Campaign:

Account Name: Free World Initiative NPC
Bank: Nedbank Limited
Account Number: 1195116543
Branch Code: 198765
Account Type: Current Account
Reference: PERIOD POVERTY + YOUR NAME

📩 Organisations, schools, businesses and individuals who would like to organise product collections or partner with us are also welcome to get in touch with us.

Period poverty is not simply a hygiene issue — it is an issue of dignity, education and equality. 🩸❤️

11/09/2026

💙 Mental Health & Child Protection at Zohar Christian Academy

Free World Initiative spent time with Grade 4 to 7 learners at Zohar Christian Academy, creating an age-appropriate space for children to learn about emotions, mental wellbeing, bullying, abuse, personal safety and how to ask for help.

We explored how to identify and express different emotions, what those feelings can look and feel like, the different forms of abuse, and the importance of telling a trusted adult when something does not feel safe. We also incorporated creative activities and crafts, giving the learners another way to participate and express themselves.

What stood out during the engagement was just how much children are already carrying. Their responses reminded us that conversations about mental health and safety cannot begin only when young people reach high school. Early intervention matters.

Children need opportunities to understand their feelings, develop healthy coping skills, recognise unsafe behaviour and know that there are adults and support systems they can turn to.

Thank you to Zohar Christian Academy for welcoming us and allowing the learners to engage so openly, and to MD Mineral Technologies Africa for supporting FWI’s work in taking these important conversations into schools.

Sometimes the most important thing we can give a child is the language to explain what they are feeling — and the confidence to ask for help. 💙

11/09/2026

🌿 Mental Wellness & Resilience with SADI CARES

On 1 August 2026, Free World Initiative joined the SADI CARES Youth Empowerment Seminar Series in Mabopane, Pretoria, engaging young people around mental wellness and resilience in career development.

For many young people, the journey into employment and adulthood comes with enormous pressure. Unemployment, uncertainty, rejection and the constant pressure to “have it all figured out” can take a real toll on confidence and mental wellbeing.

Our session created space to talk honestly about managing stress and anxiety, dealing with rejection, building resilience, developing healthy coping mechanisms, recognising when support is needed and continuing to take practical steps towards career and personal goals.

Youth empowerment cannot only be about opportunities and skills. We also have to equip young people emotionally for the setbacks, uncertainty and challenges they may encounter along the way.

Thank you to SADI CARES for creating a platform where mental wellness could form part of the conversation about youth development and future opportunities. 💚