School dropout, teen mental health, and psychosocial support in focus at new Johannesburg exhibition 

Johannesburg, South Africa – From 29 June to 4 July, the Zero Dropout Campaign will host the next instalment of Hanging by a Thread at the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre in Sophiatown, Johannesburg.  

Hanging by a Thread is an immersive public exhibition that combines photography, videography, audio, and storytelling to illuminate the lived experiences behind South Africa’s school dropout crisis. South African teens are navigating unprecedented social, economic, and emotional pressures. Yet the systems designed to support them often struggle to respond before they disengage from school or fall through the cracks. 

To bring these realities into sharper focus, the exhibition draws on years of research and fieldwork by the Zero Dropout Campaign, inviting visitors to move beyond statistics and engage with the voices, resilience, and everyday realities of young people from across the country. 

The exhibition forms part of a broader national conversation on teen wellbeing and psychosocial support. On 2 July, organisations working across education, health, social development, and youth development will gather for a Learning Exchange to identify opportunities for stronger collaboration and more coordinated support for teens. 

Insights emerging from the Learning Exchange will contribute to ongoing advocacy aimed at strengthening wellbeing support systems for South African teens. 

Event details 

Hanging by a Thread Exhibition 

Dates: Monday, 29 June – Saturday, 4 July 2026 

Time: 09:30 – 16:00  

Venue: Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre, 71 Toby Street, Sophiatown, Johannesburg 

Entry: Free and open to the public 

Learning Exchange on Teen Wellbeing and Psychosocial Support 

Date: Thursday, 2 July 2026 

Time: 08:30 – 16:00 

Venue: Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre, 71 Toby Street, Sophiatown, Johannesburg 

/End 

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Siyabulela Sandi on +27 78 668 2603 or via email on siyabulela@zerodropout.co.za