Find AA Meetings in South Africa

Sourced from official AA intergroups

Find AA meetings across South Africa. There are 369 meetings listed in 107 cities, open to residents and visitors alike. Click any city below to see meeting times, locations, and directions.

South Africa hosts the largest AA community in Africa, with daily meetings across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria and groups in most regional towns.

Active filters:
Friday
Now onwards (5 AM+)

Browse all online meetings available in South Africa throughout the week.

Online AA Meetings in South Africa

Showing Today's Online AA Meetings - Friday
Fridays7:15PM - 8:15PM
Online
Grove Street, Randburg
Meeting Types & Format:
Location Temporarily ClosedEnglish
Meeting Notes:

This is the Friday On-line meeting. There is also a face-to-face meeting at the same time on Fridays...

AA Meetings in South Africa by the Numbers

Across South Africa, the 369 listed AA groups are concentrated in Cape Town (83 meetings), Johannesburg (17), and Randburg (16), with active groups in 107 cities in total. Thursday is the busiest day for meetings, and evening (5–9 PM) sessions are the most common. About 33% of groups (122) offer an online or hybrid option.

Largest AA communities in South Africa

When AA groups meet in South Africa

  • Sunday47
  • Monday74
  • Tuesday79
  • Wednesday75
  • Thursday80
  • Friday55
  • Saturday49

Meetings per day of the week across South Africa. Thursday has the most scheduled groups.

What members read between meetings

A.A.'s own literature does most of the heavy lifting between meetings in South Africa. These are the books most often spotted on a member's bookshelf, with a short note on what each one is for. Each card is tagged with its language.

The book Bill W. and Dr. Bob wrote first, in 1939. Most members pick up a copy in their first week or two and keep it close.

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Bill W.'s longer essays on each Step and each Tradition. The usual companion read once the Big Book starts to feel familiar.

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A short, practical book about the day-to-day of staying sober. Often the one a sponsor suggests in the first month.

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One short A.A. reading for each day of the year, with a thought to carry into it. Members often keep a copy on the kitchen counter.

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Brief passages from A.A.'s co-founder, arranged by topic. Some groups read one aloud at the top of every meeting.

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Members' own short accounts of what "a Power greater than ourselves" came to mean to them. Helpful for anyone wary of the word God.

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The same 12&12 essays in a larger typeface. Often the edition kept for reading aloud or for easier eyes.

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Browse the wider shelf of A.A.-approved reading — Living Sober, Daily Reflections, the Grapevine collections, and more.

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About AA in South Africa

AA in South Africa

AA has been established in South Africa since 1946 and is organised through a national General Service structure with regional intergroups. Meetings run in English and Afrikaans, with English predominating in the metropolitan areas. Every major format is available: open, closed, Big Book study, step meetings, and young people's groups.

Meetings by region

Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria) has the country's densest meeting schedule, followed by the Western Cape (Cape Town and the Winelands) and KwaZulu-Natal (Durban and the coast). The Eastern Cape, Free State, and Garden Route towns each maintain steady weekly meetings, and online groups connect members in more remote areas.

For visitors

South African groups are welcoming to travellers — no registration, first names only. Urban meetings are typically held in church halls and community centres; the listings include addresses and times, and locals are generous with lifts and directions if you make contact through a meeting.

Finding AA Meetings in South Africa

Alcoholics Anonymous has groups across 107 cities in South Africa, with 369 meetings listed in this directory. Whether you are looking for a group near home or need a meeting while travelling, the listings below include times, addresses, and format details to help you find the right fit.

Meeting Types Available in South Africa

AA meetings in South Africa run in several formats. Here is a brief overview:

Open Meetings

Open to the public. Family, friends, and anyone curious about A.A. are welcome to attend.

Closed Meetings

For people with a desire to stop drinking. What is shared stays in the room.

Speaker Meetings

A member shares their story of "experience, strength, and hope." Often a good starting point for newcomers.

Step Study Groups

Groups that read and work through the 12 Steps together, applying the principles to everyday situations.

Major Cities with AA Support in South Africa

Cape Town is South Africa's most active AA community with 83 meetings. Other cities with an AA presence include Johannesburg, Randburg, Pretoria.

For Travelers and Visitors

Visiting South Africa?

  • • English-speaking meetings in major cities
  • • No advance registration required
  • • Just show up and introduce yourself
  • • AA is the same worldwide - you'll feel at home

For Residents

  • • Find your local home group
  • • Multiple meeting times throughout the week
  • • Online meetings available for flexibility
  • • Connect with the local AA community

Online AA Meetings in South Africa

Online AA meetings in South Africa follow the same format as in-person meetings: shared readings, personal shares, and open discussion. They are a practical option for people in rural areas, those with mobility constraints, or anyone whose schedule makes regular travel difficult.

Benefits of Online Meetings

  • • Attend from anywhere in South Africa or abroad
  • • No transportation required
  • • Ideal for rural areas with limited options
  • • Same confidentiality as in-person

How to Join Online

  • • Look for "Online" or "Hybrid" meetings
  • • Click "Join Online" for meeting link
  • • Most use Zoom or similar platforms
  • • Camera optional - participate comfortably

Getting Started with AA in South Africa

First-Time Attendees

Anyone can walk into an AA meeting in South Africa without prior registration. You are not expected to speak, and you only need to give your first name if you choose to. Many groups keep printed material on hand for people attending for the first time.

Language Considerations

While many meetings in South Africa are conducted in the local language, major cities typically offer English-speaking meetings. Check the meeting details for language information or contact the local AA intergroup for guidance.

AA membership has one requirement: a desire to stop drinking. South Africa's meetings are open to anyone who meets it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Other Countries in Africa with AA Meetings

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