Embrace Life hosts workshop to combat gangsterism and drug abuse in Lavender Hill

Embrace Life will host a public workshop aimed at uplifting and empowering the youth of Lavender Hill and surrounding areas.

The event will take place at 20 Chapel Court Square in Lavender Hill on Tuesday, January 27, at 7pm.

The agenda will include discussions on four key topics: the organisation’s mission and vision, job creation and skills development, gender-based violence, health, and sports and recreation.

Founder Mark Blake said Embrace Life aims to steer young people away from drug abuse and gangsterism.

The organisation focuses on youth development through programmes such as “Come Clean”, which helps participants overcome drug addiction, and Youth Empowerment, which provides support to victims of sexual and emotional abuse through trained counsellors and social workers. (“Embrace Life: Giving hope and purpose to vulnerable youth”, October 2025).

Embrace Life is a non-profit organisation that was established in 2016.

“We want to educate, inspire, and free young people from gangsterism,” said Mr Blake. His motto is “If you want to see a change, be the change.”

Mr Blake, who grew up in Rondevlei and attended several local schools before matriculating at Lavender Hill High, said his difficult upbringing inspired him to create change.

He said the organisation is a non-political and non-religious entity, and the rules when attending the workshop are: “No political banners or T-shirts from any political party will be allowed:  No religious slogans will be allowed either.” 

Forms will be available for the unemployed. Requirements to attend the workshop include a certified copy of your ID when you fill in your application. 

Take along your own folding chair for your comfort.

“For those filling in the unemployed application, please be advised to bring your own black pen,” he said.                     

For more information, contact Ellen at 081 7726532 or Mark at 066 508 1980.

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