Every other year at the Swidler Summit, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project gathers our Program Partners and other members of our community in South Africa for a week of learning, reflection, connection, and restoration.

While in 2023 we hosted 3 regional Summits, in August 2024, we got the whole gang back together – and welcomed some new faces and Partners! – at our second national Summit. Rooted in the belief that to build sustainable systems change, we must “care for the carers,” the week was filled with deep belly laughs, deep revelations, deep brain melds, and deeeeeeep breaths.

CTAOP’s Swidler Summit is named after a late, beloved member of our Ubuntu Council, Alisa Swidler, who was a passionate philanthropist and master connector.

Content Warning (Topics: GBV; sexual violence)

Every 10-11 minutes, a rape case is reported in South Africa – but it’s estimated that only 1 in 9 gender-based violence (GBV) cases are reported.

In the country, an estimated 60% of social services for women and children are provided by civil society – not the government.

CTAOP’s Program Partners – CBOs (community-based organizations) working to combat GBV – make up part of that 60%. Watch to meet the incredible leaders and organizations working everyday to create a safer South Africa, and learn about what they believe is needed to get us there.

🎥 by ‪@onepassproductions

Charlize Theron is set to be this year’s recipient of the Giving Tree Award at the Baby2Baby Gala presented by Paul Mitchell.

CTAOP Program Partner Brave Rock Girl is a grassroots organization that uses the expertise and experience of young women to drive action and programming, with an aim to create a supportive environment for girls and young women to thrive and grow into leaders. Based in Manenburg, one of the most dangerous townships in South Africa, BRAVE is in the process of becoming fully youth-led.

The primary goal is to create safe spaces for young women ages 10–19 living in the underserved community of Manenburg so they can become educated, resilient, and engaged female leaders in their communities, schools, and their own lives.

Hear from BRAVE’s youth leaders Audery, Lee-Anne, and Kelly on their experience growing and evolving through BRAVE, and how the organization’s programming has supported their growth into the community changemakers they are.

🎥 by ‪@onepassproductions

The South Africa-born actress invites a few friends into the conversation, talking to THR about how her nonprofit CTAOP is changing lives in her homeland.

CTAOP Program Partner Philisa Abafazi Bethu – which means “Heal Our Women” in isiXhosa – advocates for and serves survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence in Lavender Hill, Cape Town. This community-based organization provides medical, counseling, and legal support to survivors of gender-based violence and other abuse.

Founded in 2008 by Lucinda Evans, PAB also runs two safe houses, with one specifically for those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Other work centers around providing alternatives to joining gangs, offering programs for youth in and out of school, and a feeding program for women-headed households, older adults, those living with disabilities, children, and young people.

Hear from Lucinda, other team members, and those served by PAB on what makes the organization a “pillar” for the community.

🎥 by ‪@onepassproductions