Reflections on SA-ACAPAP 2026: A journey of growth and affirmation

From 11–14 March 2026, I had the privilege of attending the SA-ACAPAP Conference at Lagoon Beach Hotel in Cape Town. This gathering brings together leading interdisciplinary voices in child and adolescent mental health. This year’s event was particularly meaningful for me, as I received a research award and was selected to participate in the Emerging Researcher Workshop.

The emerging researcher workshop

Held on 11 March, this workshop was a transformative experience. With only 15 early-career researchers selected through a formal application process, it was both an honour and a responsibility to be part of this cohort. The sessions offered mentoring and networking opportunities with global leaders in child and adolescent mental health.

On a personal level, the workshop was empowering. I realised that I already hold some of the answers to challenges others are grappling with, a powerful affirmation that boosted my confidence ahead of my presentation. Meeting fellow mentees immediately set me at ease, reminding me that I am part of a supportive network.

Insights and inspiration

Listening to experts share their vision for the future of mental health was inspiring. One striking fact shared during discussions was UNICEF’s projection that by 2050, 40% of the world’s children will live in Africa. This statistic underscores the immense responsibility we, as practitioners, have to ensure that children not only survive but also thrive. There is an urgent need to invest in children's education, health, and safety within Africa.

For me, this gave renewed meaning to my socio-emotional well-being programme (previously known as the Bloom programme), designed to empower children. On the downside, I found that there is a programme with the exact same name for parents with children with autism. I would thus need to rethink and redesign my name and logo before officially trademarking it this year. The workshop also introduced me to potential collaborators, such as the Sinovuyo Parenting App and Clowns Without Borders, sparking ideas for partnerships that could help scale the programme into a national initiative.

A new drive forward

The conference and workshop were more than academic milestones; they were moments of clarity and motivation. Receiving the research award was a recognition of past efforts, but the real gift was the renewed drive to expand the programme and contribute meaningfully to the future of child and adolescent mental health in South Africa and beyond.

As I look ahead, I carry with me the affirmation that I’ve got this, the support of a growing network, and the responsibility to help shape a future where every child has the opportunity to flourish