Registration is now live for Thrive by WHX, taking place from 2–4 September 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The flagship wellness, sport and longevity summit of the World Health Expo will bring together global and South African leaders in medicine, sport, nutrition and human optimisation and registration is free for visitors and delegates.
“Thrive by WHX is where health and wellness listen to Africa’s voice,” says Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director, Healthcare. “This year’s programme focuses on core themes emerging in human health across longevity science, youth wellness and mental resilience. With registration now live, we are inviting delegates across healthcare, sport and business to join us in shaping the future of health in Africa.”
The Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, added: “We’re looking forward to Thrive and to see like-minded individuals coming to Cape Town. Wellness is important to us in the Western Cape and this event, with world experts across fitness and health, are showcase what we stand for.”
On 3 September 2025, Thrive by WHX will host an exclusive live performance by South African music icon Lira at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Limited to just 1,500 guests, the evening features a DJ set, comedy from the Goliath Brothers, and Lira’s unforgettable mix of soul, rhythm and inspiration. With doors opening at 5:30 PM in Auditorium 1, this special event promises an intimate atmosphere that blends music, connection and wellness. Noite: Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
From 2 to 4 September 2025, Thrive by WHX partners with HYROX to bring the global fitness phenomenon to Cape Town. Over three high-energy days, attendees can take part in interactive classes, partner activations with F45, and inspiring athlete talks from names like Carla Molinaro and Vicky MacIntosh. Whether you’re a seasoned HYROX competitor or new to the movement, this is an opportunity to train, connect and experience the power of the HYROX community within the dynamic setting of Thrive and the chance to win a fully paid trip to HYROX New York.
Personalised, proactive health
Speakers across all three days will demonstrate how personalised medicine, wearable data, AI platforms and preventative models are transforming healthcare and performance. “We’re redesigning care around individual variability,” says Dr Ash Kapoor. “The value comes when we help people interpret that data and take meaningful action.”
Sports and exercise physician Dr Janesh Ganda adds: “Longevity prioritises functioning better, for longer.”
For entrepreneur and dietician Niall Naidoo, accessibility is key. “These tools used to be seen as luxury add-ons and now they’re being embedded into daily life. People are using real-time data to track sleep, movement and mood because these tools work.”
Three days of healthcare optimisation
Thrive opens with the World Longevity Summit, a two-day programme exploring how science, technology and medicine can extend not just lifespan but health span. Dr Ash Kapoor will headline sessions on AI and personalised health, joined by global voices including Dr Tara Swart on cognitive health, Prof Veron Ramsuran on genetics and Dr Kamlen Pillay on stem cell therapy. Hands-on workshops will introduce delegates to practical “Longevity Toolkits” covering diagnostics, IV therapy, hormones and brain health.
“High performance prioritises intelligent wellness,” says Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, founder of Levitas One and a dedicated specialist in longevity and human optimisation. “When wellbeing is treated as a strategy, then performance, productivity and resilience all improve.”
Day one of the World Longevity Summit opens with Dr Kamlen Pillay and the Ministry of Health, before moving into a series of talks exploring the modern longevity dilemma and advances in human optimisation. Highlights include Dr Ash Kapoor on the future of longevity, Dr Duncan Carmichael on autophagy, Dr Kantha Gareeb on pain and longevity, Dr Kamlen Pillay on stem cells, and Prof Veron Ramsuran on the genetic code of ageing. A morning panel will debate integrative strategies for healthspan and disease prevention. The afternoon sessions focus on smart, functional and personalised medicine, with contributions from Dr Craige Golding on immune ageing, Glen Hagemann on sports medicine and precision health, Dr Danny Meyersfeld on molecular biotechnology, and Dr Marina Cordeiro on regenerative medicine. Dr Kathleen Green will discuss the role of prevention, and neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart Bieber will explore the importance of creativity, culture and community for longevity. The day closes with a panel on moving from sick care to smart care.
The second day of the World Longevity Summit expands into integrative medicine, AI, and innovation. Sessions will examine digital health, biopsychosocial models and ethical questions around data. It opens with Chalandra Naidoo addressing the theme of mind, machine and medicine in the age of innovation, followed by her session on mental wellness in an AI-driven world. Dr Ash Kapoor examines how technology could extend the human lifespan, while Tony Payne explores the science of personalised fitness. Dr Tamara Pheiffer discusses brain ageing, neuroplasticity and mitochondrial function, showing how cognitive performance can improve with age. Anthony Middleton offers insights on leadership in the digital era, and Dr Shruti Singh highlights the biopsychosocial impact of AI and innovation. Prof Keymenthri Moodley addresses the ethical imperatives of the connected continuum before lunch. The afternoon moves into practical workshops, with a session on biotechnological strategies for scientific and organisational growth, followed by the Longevity Toolkit series covering functional diagnostics, IV therapy, hormone optimisation, peptide therapy and brain health. The day closes with remarks from Dr Kamlen Pillay.
In parallel, Thrive’s Youth Wellness and High-Performance Pathways Conference will spotlight the next generation of African athletes. It opens with Dr Phathokuhle Zondi and moderator Bryan Habana leading a focus on the future of school sport in Africa. The morning includes an inspiring session on sport’s role in nation-building, a personal journey shared by F3 driver Mika Abrahams and his mother Denise, and a panel exploring policy, access and high-performance pathways. The second session, chaired by Dr Zondi, shifts to athlete well-being and performance, with talks on burnout prevention, nutrition, safe spaces, and recovery strategies, followed by a panel discussion with leading psychologists, coaches, and dietitians. After a networking break, Dr Janesh Ganda chairs the third session on technology in youth sport, featuring perspectives on AI for talent identification, XR and wearables, contextual realities of African athletes, and genomics in athlete development. A panel of experts, athletes, and coaches deepens the discussion. The day concludes with the “20/20 Hindsight” reflections panel, where para-athlete Anrune Wyers and Olympian Geraldine Pillay-Viret share lessons from their sporting journeys, before closing remarks by Dr Ganda.
The final day brings the Wellness, Innovation & Optimisation Conference, exploring holistic health and human performance across the lifespan. The programme for 4 September 2025 begins with Thrive Mode, where Dr Phathokuhle Zondi sets the scene before Dr Linia Patel explores nutrition strategies across the female lifespan and Jarrad Van Zydam examines workplace wellbeing through the lens of the corporate athlete. An interactive Q&A closes the opening session. The focus then shifts to The Female Physiology Lab, with a head-to-head debate between Dr Phathokuhle Zondi and Dr Nicola Freitas on adapting training to the menstrual cycle, followed by expert talks on pelvic health, breast health in sport, and bone health, RED-S and energy availability, with audience engagement woven throughout. After a networking break, The Longevity Toolkit explores lifelong performance, featuring Dr Ash Kapoor on personalised longevity pathways, Dr Shona Hendricks on training mature athletes, and Dr Patel on nutrition for ageing well, again ending with audience dialogue. The final session, Breaking the Ceiling, brings together a panel moderated by Dr Nicola Freitas to reflect on gaps, gains and the next 10% in sport and performance, before closing remarks conclude the day.
Thrive will also launch Mind Matters, a new platform dedicated to mental wellness and resilience, focusing on why recovery and reflection are as important as performance itself. Inspired by cutting-edge research in sport and neuroscience, this forum will examine how individuals and organisations can better integrate mental wellness into everyday routines, from schools and clinics to workplaces.
A platform for action and connection
Across all three days, delegates will be able to engage with workshops, panel discussions and live demonstrations designed to turn evidence into practice. Interactive debates, practical toolkits and immersive sessions will ensure every participant leaves with strategies to apply in their own context across healthcare, sport, education or corporate wellness.
Registration now open
With momentum building across Africa’s wellness, sport and health sectors, organisers are urging delegates to register early. Thrive by WHX offers a unique chance to see how science, strategy and innovation are converging to reshape performance and wellbeing.
To find out more and register for Thrive by WHX, visit: https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/events/thrive/capetown/en/home.html
