Khulisa Social Solutions

MEN’S DIALOGUE CIRCLE REVEALS THE HIDDEN PRESSURES SHAPING MEN’S WELLBEING IN RUSTENBURG

Khulisa Social Solutions — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:33:02 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

MEN’S DIALOGUE CIRCLE REVEALS THE HIDDEN PRESSURES SHAPING MEN’S WELLBEING IN RUSTENBURG

Rustenburg, South Africa – 8 July 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Men’s Dialogue Circle facilitated by Khulisa Social Solutions has highlighted the complex and interconnected pressures affecting men’s mental health, family relationships, economic stability and ability to rebuild their lives.

Held on 30 June 2026 as part of a Men’s Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing Awareness Programme, the dialogue brought together current and former Khulisa diversion programme beneficiaries, community members and representatives from social development, justice, court, policing and wellness services.

Using Khulisa’s SIT Dialogue Circle methodology, men were invited into a safe, structured space to speak openly about the realities they face. The findings revealed six closely connected areas of concern:

Mental health challenges and difficulty managing stress;

Pressure linked to employment and financial insecurity;

Family responsibilities, parenting and maintenance obligations;

Community safety and crime;

Difficulty navigating social and legal support systems; and

The lasting impact of criminal records on employment, personal development and reintegration.

The significance of the findings lies in how these pressures interact. Financial insecurity can intensify stress; unresolved emotional distress can affect physical health and family relationships; criminal records can block employment opportunities; and uncertainty about legal or support systems can leave men feeling trapped rather than able to move forward.

“What emerged is that men’s wellbeing cannot be treated as a single mental health issue,” said Lesley Ann van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions. “Men are carrying overlapping pressures — economic, emotional, family, legal and social. If we want stronger families and safer communities, we need to create spaces where men can speak openly, access practical support and find real pathways forward.”

The Dialogue Circle was followed by direct engagement with relevant service providers on mental health, the physical effects of prolonged stress, child maintenance responsibilities, court processes, criminal records, expungement and Presidential Pardon processes. Participants actively sought clarity on issues directly affecting their lives, demonstrating a strong demand for accessible, integrated support.

A particularly important finding was the impact of criminal records on rehabilitation and reintegration. For men seeking to rebuild their lives, barriers to employment can undermine financial stability, family responsibility and longer-term social reintegration.

The programme demonstrated the value of combining community voice with immediate access to services. Rather than treating men’s wellbeing in isolation, the initiative connected emotional wellbeing, physical health, parenting, justice, rehabilitation and economic participation.

Khulisa believes the findings point to a need for sustained action, including regular men’s dialogue spaces, stronger referral pathways, follow-up support on mental health and parenting, and improved access to practical legal and reintegration information.

The message from the Circle was clear: men need spaces to speak, but they also need systems that respond.

About us

Khulisa Social Solutions is a South African social cohesion and community development organisation founded in 1997. The organisation works nationally to strengthen vulnerable communities through restorative practices, NGO capacity-building, dialogue processes, youth development, psychosocial support, skills development, and collaborative ecosystem partnerships. Khulisa’s work focuses on addressing the systemic root causes of social dysfunction by building stronger relationships among communities, government, civil society, and the private sector.

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post MEN’S DIALOGUE CIRCLE REVEALS THE HIDDEN PRESSURES SHAPING MEN’S WELLBEING IN RUSTENBURG appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

KHULISA SOCIAL SOLUTIONS NAMED SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST SOCIAL IMPACT ORGANISATION

Khulisa Social Solutions — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:35:49 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

KHULISA SOCIAL SOLUTIONS NAMED SOUTH AFRICA'S BEST SOCIAL IMPACT ORGANISATION for 2026

Johannesburg, South Africa – 29 June 2026

National recognition highlights 29 years of pioneering social cohesion, systems change and ai-driven impact measurement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Khulisa Social Solutions has been named Best Social Impact Organisation 2026 – South Africa; and has also received the Innovation Award for Data-Driven Social Solutions 2026 – South Africa in the African Excellence Awards presented by MEA Markets, part of AI Global Media (UK). These awards recognise organisations demonstrating outstanding innovation, measurable impact and sustainable growth.

For Khulisa, the recognition reflects nearly three decades of work tackling some of South Africa’s most complex social challenges by combining community-led solutions with evidence, technology and systems thinking.

Founded in 1997, Khulisa has grown from a pioneer in restorative justice into a national social enterprise working across social cohesion, youth development, NGO capacity building, systems change and AI-enabled impact measurement.

Rather than treating social issues in isolation, Khulisa works with communities to identify the systemic barriers that prevent lasting change. Its approach combines dialogue, community intelligence, data analytics and real-time impact measurement to help government, business and civil society invest where it matters most.

“Our greatest teachers have always been the communities we serve,” said Lesley Ann van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions.

“These awards recognise an approach that places communities at the centre of designing solutions. Sustainable change happens when people become partners in solving problems rather than recipients of services.”

One of Khulisa’s most significant innovations has been the development of its AI-enabled Impact Outcomes Platform, which combines quantitative data, community feedback and stories of change to provide organisations with real-time evidence of what is working, why it is working and where investment can have the greatest long-term impact.

As South Africa continues to grapple with growing inequality, unemployment, violence, and weakened social cohesion, Khulisa believes that lasting solutions require stronger collaboration among communities, government, business, and civil society.

Receiving these awards reinforces the organisation’s commitment to developing practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen communities, build resilient local organisations and ensure social investments deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes.

Learn more here.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post KHULISA SOCIAL SOLUTIONS NAMED SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST SOCIAL IMPACT ORGANISATION appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

New AI-Assisted Community Intelligence Study Reveals the Hidden Human Cost of Funding Delays

Khulisa Social Solutions — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:48:52 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

What Happens While Communities Wait?

New AI-Assisted Community Intelligence Study Reveals the Hidden Human Cost of Funding Delays

Johannesburg, South Africa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

While much attention is rightly given to ensuring that donor funding is managed responsibly and reaches communities with appropriate governance and accountability, far less attention has been paid to an important question:

What happens to vulnerable communities while approved funding is delayed by administrative processes?

A new Community Intelligence Insight released by Khulisa Social Solutions provides a unique answer.

Using its proprietary Systemic Intuitive Thinking (SIT) methodology alongside AI-assisted Community Intelligence analysis, Khulisa facilitated Dialogue Circles with eight community-based organisations that had experienced significant delays in receiving committed funding.

Rather than examining financial systems or compliance procedures, the study posed a simple yet powerful question:

“What changed in your communities while everyone was waiting?”

The findings reveal a dimension of social development that is rarely captured through conventional monitoring and evaluation systems.

“We were not looking for evidence of financial hardship,” explains Lesley Ann van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions. “Instead, what emerged was a much deeper understanding of how administrative delays ripple through organisations, families and communities. It became clear that the real story was not about finance; it was about relationships, confidence and trust.”

Initially, participating organisations absorbed the impact by drawing on limited reserves, using personal resources and adapting programme plans to keep services running. As delays continued, the effects spread beyond organisational operations. Staff experienced increasing uncertainty, volunteers continued serving despite financial pressures, families adjusted household budgets, and community programmes became increasingly difficult to sustain. Ultimately, beneficiaries themselves experienced reduced services, postponed activities and uncertainty about whether support would continue.

One participant captured the experience simply:

“The community doesn’t know who is waiting for a signature. They only know whether we arrived.”

The study concludes that communities experience development as one interconnected system. They do not distinguish between donors, implementing partners, government departments or community

organisations. Their experience is shaped by whether support remains consistent and whether trusted relationships are maintained.

Importantly, the report does not suggest that governance or compliance should be weakened. On the contrary, robust financial controls remain fundamental to responsible stewardship of development funding.

Instead, the findings demonstrate that administrative systems also have human consequences that deserve greater recognition.

Using AI-assisted analysis across the dialogue findings, Khulisa identified recurring patterns showing that prolonged uncertainty can gradually erode organisational resilience, staff wellbeing, community confidence and participation long before programmes are formally interrupted. These impacts seldom appear in financial reports, yet they can significantly influence long-term social outcomes.

“Our intention is not to criticise funders,” says van Selm. “Administrative processes exist for very good reasons, and every trust, foundation and corporate donor has governance responsibilities. Our Community Intelligence work simply demonstrates that there is an opportunity to strengthen those systems further by understanding how communities experience them. Better communication, transparency and predictability can be just as important to community resilience as funding itself.”

Beyond highlighting the impact of funding delays, the report demonstrates the value of Khulisa’s Community Intelligence methodology. By combining facilitated Dialogue Circles, Systemic Intuitive Thinking and AI-assisted analysis, the approach captures lived experience, identifies systemic patterns and provides decision-makers with actionable intelligence that traditional monitoring systems often fail to reveal.

The report concludes that the next frontier in social investment lies not only in measuring where money is invested, but in understanding how communities experience the systems that deliver those investments.

For Khulisa, this is the essence of Community Intelligence: transforming lived experience into evidence that strengthens programmes, partnerships and ultimately community resilience.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post New AI-Assisted Community Intelligence Study Reveals the Hidden Human Cost of Funding Delays appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

FROM DONOR DEPENDENCY TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: MUSINA NGO TURNS A DONATED ASSET INTO HOPE

Khulisa Social Solutions — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:48:30 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

FROM DONOR DEPENDENCY TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: MUSINA NGO TURNS A DONATED ASSET INTO HOPE

Limpopo, South Africa – 29 June 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For many South African non-profit organisations, the greatest challenge is no longer delivering services—it is finding sustainable ways to continue delivering them in an increasingly uncertain funding environment.

Through Khulisa Social Solutions’ EmpowerAbility Programme, community organisations are being supported to rethink sustainability. Rather than relying solely on grants and donor funding, NGOs are being encouraged to diversify their income streams by identifying and unlocking the value of the assets, skills and opportunities already present within their organisations and communities.

One inspiring example comes from the Musina Children’s Resource Centre in Limpopo.

As part of its organisational development journey under Khulisa’s EmpowerAbility Programme, the Centre transformed a donated bread-making machine into an innovative fundraising initiative known as the “Buy a Loaf” Campaign.

The campaign is beautifully simple.

Supporters are invited to sponsor a loaf for just R10. Rather than purchasing a physical loaf of bread, every donation contributes directly towards providing nutritious meals for vulnerable children while helping sustain the Centre’s daily operations.

To support the “Buy a Loaf” Campaign, community members, businesses, and well-wishers are encouraged to make direct financial contributions to the Musina Children’s Resource Centre.

Banking Details:

Bank Name: FNB

Account Holder: Musina Children Resource Centre

Account Number: 63188168827

Branch Code: 260249

Every contribution—no matter how small—plays a meaningful role in ensuring that vulnerable children continue to receive daily meals, care, and support. Donation details are also available on the official campaign poster.

The initiative demonstrates that financial sustainability does not always require launching a business or waiting for the next donor grant. Sometimes it begins by looking differently at the assets an organisation already has and finding creative ways to mobilise community support around them.

The campaign has also strengthened community ownership. Individuals, families and local businesses can all participate at a level they can afford, becoming partners in ensuring that vulnerable children continue receiving care and support.

Supporters are also encouraged to share the campaign within their networks to help expand its reach and impact. By mobilising collective community action, the initiative aims to build a sustainable support system that extends far beyond traditional donor funding.

According to Lesley Ann van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions:

“Too many NGOs remain trapped in a cycle of grant dependency. Through our EmpowerAbility Programme we are helping organisations build resilience by developing multiple income streams. Sustainable organisations are those that combine donor funding with community giving, partnerships, enterprise opportunities and the strategic use of existing assets.”

Khulisa believes that every NGO should have a diversified sustainability strategy. Income generation is only one part of the solution. Community fundraising, corporate partnerships, asset utilisation, social enterprise initiatives, and local giving all play an important role in creating financially resilient organisations.

The Musina Children’s Resource Centre’s “Buy a Loaf” Campaign is an example of what becomes possible when innovation, community participation, and organisational capacity-building come together.

As donor funding becomes increasingly constrained, initiatives such as these provide a practical roadmap for how community organisations can continue serving those who need them most—while building long-term financial independence.

Call to Action

The Musina Children’s Resource Centre invites individuals, organisations, and corporate partners to be part of this impactful initiative. By supporting the “Buy a Loaf” Campaign through direct donations, supporters contribute not only to immediate nutritional needs but also to the long-term sustainability of a vital community resource.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post FROM DONOR DEPENDENCY TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: MUSINA NGO TURNS A DONATED ASSET INTO HOPE appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

KLIPTOWN CHESS CLUB CELEBRATES OVER A DECADE OF CHANGING YOUNG LIVES

Khulisa Social Solutions — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:26:23 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

KLIPTOWN CHESS CLUB CELEBRATES OVER A DECADE OF CHANGING YOUNG LIVES

Kliptown, Johannesburg – 23 June 202

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more than a decade, the Khulisa Social Solutions’ Kliptown Chess Club has quietly been transforming lives.

Established over 10 years ago, the club has touched the lives of more than 200 children and young people, providing a safe space where discipline, strategic thinking and hope flourish. Today, the programme stands as one of Kliptown’s most important community assets, equipping young people not only to play chess, but to navigate life itself.

These were among the findings emerging from a recent Dialogue Circle facilitated with members of the club, where young people reflected on the impact chess has had on their lives and futures.

The message from participants was clear: chess is not simply a sport – it is a pathway to possibility.

Young people described chess as teaching them to think before acting, manage emotions, recover from mistakes and make better life choices. They linked the game directly to improved concentration at school, stronger family relationships and greater confidence in themselves.

“Chess teaches us that one mistake does not mean the game is over; you can still correct yourself and come back stronger.”

The Dialogue Circle revealed that in a community where many young people face daily challenges including poverty, gangs, substance abuse and limited opportunities, chess offers something profoundly different – structure, belonging and hope.

Participants reported that chess:

· Improves concentration, discipline and academic performance;

· Encourages responsible decision-making and emotional control;

· Provides a positive alternative to gangs, smoking and negative influences;

· Builds confidence, leadership and social connections;

· Strengthens trust and pride within families; and

· Opens young people’s minds to opportunities beyond their immediate environment.

Many participants spoke of dreams they had never imagined before joining the club: travelling, competing in tournaments, becoming coaches and inspiring younger generations.

One of the most striking findings was the role chess plays in crime prevention and social cohesion. Young people described the club as a safe space that directly competes with harmful influences by offering meaningful activities, mentorship, and a sense of belonging.

The Dialogue Circle also highlighted the club’s broader role in the community. Young people see themselves not merely as players, but as future leaders and role models who can give back to Kliptown and help others avoid the pitfalls they face every day.

“If chess disappeared,” one participant reflected, “the community would lose future stars, future coaches and future grandmasters.”

The findings underscore the importance of protecting and expanding programmes like the Khulisa Kliptown Chess Club. Beyond producing skilled players, the club is nurturing resilient young citizens who are learning to lead with patience, strategy and purpose.

As the club celebrates more than a decade of impact and over 200 young lives touched, the message from Kliptown is a powerful one: “Investing in young people is not only about changing individual lives – it is about transforming communities”.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post KLIPTOWN CHESS CLUB CELEBRATES OVER A DECADE OF CHANGING YOUNG LIVES appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

Building Stronger Communities Together: Khulisa’s Rustenburg Impact Report (Jan–May 2026)

Khulisa Social Solutions — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:59:01 +0000

Article

Building Stronger Communities Together: Khulisa’s Rustenburg Impact Report (Jan–May 2026)

At Khulisa Social Solutions, we believe that tackling deep-seated social challenges—such as violence, substance abuse, and social exclusion—requires a collective, ecosystem-led approach. Over the first five months of 2026, we worked side-by-side with schools, families, government departments, NGOs, and local leaders across Rustenburg to drive restoration, healing, and social cohesion.

Key Impact Highlights

Massive Reach: Over 23,699+ people were reached through psychosocial support, dialogue circles, school interventions, and community workshops.
Community Mobilization: Facilitated 135 dialogue circles, 314 community workshops, 45 school campaigns, and 45 family sessions.
Strategic Ecosystem Growth: Conducted 377 stakeholder engagements and established 21 formal partnerships.
Local NGO Capacitation: Provided critical training in governance, compliance, financial management, and trauma-informed practice to 14 local NGOs to build sustainable community infrastructure.

Spotlight Initiatives

Restorative Justice & Diversion: On May 31, 2026, adult and minor diversion beneficiaries participated in an exposure visit to the Rustenburg Correctional Centre. The visit provided a stark, realistic look at the consequences of criminal behavior, encouraging participants to make positive life choices.
World No Tobacco Day: On May 28, 2026, Khulisa partnered with the Royal Bafokeng Administration to host an awareness campaign for senior citizens at the Kanana Multi-Purpose Centre. The event focused on physical health risks, mental health dimensions of addiction, and finding healthy community alternatives.

Looking Ahead

As we head into the second half of 2026, our priorities remain focused on expanding school and community dialogue circles, strengthening NGO sustainability, increasing diversion interventions, and deepening stakeholder collaboration to build a unified tomorrow.

Click to download newsletter

About us

For over two decades, Khulisa has been at the forefront of restorative justice and peace-making in South Africa, pioneering innovative approaches that restore dignity, rebuild trust, and transform conflict into collaboration. From its early work in prisons and schools to today’s nationwide community-based dialogue circles, Khulisa has consistently demonstrated that justice is not only about law, but about healing relationships and strengthening the social fabric. By embedding restorative practices into communities, Khulisa has cultivated thousands of peacebuilders who turn lived experiences into solutions—laying the foundation for a more cohesive, resilient, and hopeful society.

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post Building Stronger Communities Together: Khulisa’s Rustenburg Impact Report (Jan–May 2026) appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

COMMUNITY VOICES SHAPE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE WATER INNOVATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Khulisa Social Solutions — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:49:26 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

COMMUNITY VOICES SHAPE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE WATER INNOVATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Benoni, Gauteng – 17 June 2026:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A pioneering wastewater treatment research initiative being implemented at Manger Care Centre in Benoni has demonstrated the critical role that community participation plays in the success of environmental innovation.

The Low-Tech Water Project, a collaboration between Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Stellenbosch University (SUN), and Manger Care Centre (MCC), aims to develop and refine low-tech treatment technologies for on-site treatment and reuse of source-separated wastewater. Designed for resource-constrained and off-grid environments, the innovation seeks to improve water security, support environmental sustainability, strengthen climate resilience, and recover valuable resources from wastewater. The pilot system is being implemented at MCC, which runs a reintegration programme for homeless individuals.

Recognising that technological solutions alone cannot guarantee long-term success, the project partners commissioned Khulisa Social Solutions to undertake a comprehensive participatory baseline assessment using its Systemic Intuitive Thinking (SIT) Dialogue Circle methodology.

The assessment brought together approximately 35 residents, beneficiaries, and staff members of MCC to explore the social, behavioural, and community factors that may influence the successful implementation and sustainability of the pilot system.

The findings revealed overwhelming support for the project, with participants expressing confidence in the technology and enthusiasm about its potential environmental and social benefits. An independent evaluation completed by 33 participants recorded an overall satisfaction rating of 97.3%, reflecting exceptionally positive levels of engagement and support for both the project and the participatory process.

Across the dialogue discussions, participant reflections, visual group presentations, and evaluation findings, several key themes consistently emerged:

Trust and transparency are essential for community confidence.
• Clear and ongoing communication is critical to participation.
• Sustainability depends on shared ownership and responsibility.
• Training and capacity building are necessary for effective use and maintenance.
• Leadership and collaboration are fundamental to long-term success.

One of the most significant findings was that participants consistently viewed social and behavioural factors as more important to sustainability than the technology itself. Participants identified communication failures, lack of accountability, insufficient ownership, and poor stakeholder engagement as greater risks than technical system failures.

Long-term success will depend not only on the quality of the technology but also on the strength of relationships, trust, participation, and collective stewardship surrounding the project.

The assessment also demonstrated the value of Khulisa Social Solutions’ Systemic Intuitive Thinking methodology as a tool for integrating community knowledge into scientific research. Beyond generating valuable baseline data, the dialogue process strengthened social cohesion, encouraged stakeholder ownership, and created opportunities for collaborative problem-solving.

Speaking on the significance of the findings, Khulisa Social Solutions noted that the project offers an important example of how scientific innovation can be strengthened through meaningful community engagement.

“Communities are not merely beneficiaries of innovation; they are critical partners in shaping its success. The findings demonstrate that sustainable environmental solutions require both technical excellence and strong social foundations.”

The participatory baseline assessment now provides a robust benchmark against which future project outcomes can be measured, while offering practical guidance to strengthen implementation, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability.

Photographs and additional project information will be released separately.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Low-Tech Water Project is a collaborative research initiative between Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Stellenbosch University (SUN), and Manger Care Centre (MCC). The project develops and tests biofilter-based low-tech technologies for the treatment and reuse of source-separated wastewater, including greywater and blackwater. The targeted and resource-efficient treatment allows greywater to be reused for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing, irrigation, and laundry. Such systems can operate fully water and energy self-sufficient in off-grid settings. This contributes to SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation for All, while promoting environmental sustainability and economic value creation.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post COMMUNITY VOICES SHAPE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE WATER INNOVATION IN SOUTH AFRICA appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

FROM RAILWAY JUNCTION TO COMMUNITY JUNCTION: NOUPOORT REIMAGINES ITS FUTURE THROUGH COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY VOICE

Khulisa Social Solutions — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:55:52 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

FROM RAILWAY JUNCTION TO COMMUNITY JUNCTION: NOUPOORT REIMAGINES ITS FUTURE THROUGH COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY VOICE

Noupoort, Northern Cape – 26 May 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Historically known as a railway and agricultural junction connecting regions across South Africa, Noupoort is now working to reconnect something equally important — its people, opportunities, leadership structures, and developmental future.

As part of the Noupoort Social Enterprise Strengthening Programme, funded by EDF Power Solutions, Khulisa Social Solutions facilitated a series of developmental activities and dialogue engagements in Noupoort between 19 and 22 May 2026, in collaboration with the local municipality and the Department of Social Development (DSD).

The week-long programme included five Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Circle engagements involving NGOs, SMMEs, community members, and local stakeholders aimed at openly exploring the systemic social, organisational, and economic challenges affecting the community.

The dialogue circles reached over 250 community members and stakeholders and focused on key developmental themes, including unemployment and economic exclusion, youth vulnerability and family wellbeing, NGO sustainability and governance, substance abuse and psychosocial support, and agricultural and livelihood opportunities.

Importantly, the engagements not only surfaced challenges such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, organisational instability, and limited economic opportunities, but also highlighted the existing strengths within Noupoort itself. Participants identified strong community relationships, emerging entrepreneurs, active NGOs, available land for development initiatives, and a growing willingness amongst stakeholders to collaborate as key foundations for future change.

As part of the programme’s long-term sustainability approach, Khulisa Social Solutions has onboarded eight NGOs to provide intensive capacity-building support to strengthen governance, compliance, leadership development, donor readiness, organisational sustainability, and developmental planning.

In response to the psychosocial and developmental needs identified through the dialogue circles, a resident social worker has also been appointed to provide ongoing support, community engagement, and developmental assistance in Noupoort.

Evaluation findings from the dialogue circles reflected exceptionally positive feedback, with most participants rating the engagements between 8 and 10 out of 10 and expressing strong support for continued dialogue circles, accredited training opportunities, youth empowerment programmes, NGO capacitation, psychosocial support, and collaborative ecosystem development.

A recurring theme throughout the engagements was the growing desire for communities to move beyond short-term interventions toward meaningful participation in shaping their own developmental future.

One participant shared:

“I think the leaders of Noupoort should be present in these programmes to hear our complaints and make Noupoort a healthier place to live, free from GBV.”

Khulisa Social Solutions noted that the findings from the Noupoort engagements reinforce the importance of ecosystem collaboration among communities, NGOs, government, SMMEs, and development stakeholders to address the root causes of social and economic dysfunctionality. Rather than focusing solely on short-term relief interventions, the engagements highlighted the need for long-term developmental approaches that strengthen local leadership, organisational sustainability, psychosocial wellbeing, economic participation, and community ownership.

“The people of Noupoort demonstrated remarkable resilience, honesty, and willingness to collectively shape solutions for their community. What emerged most strongly was not only the depth of the challenges facing the town, but the strength of the community voice calling for sustainable change, collaboration, and shared accountability,” said Lesley Ann van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions. “The process confirmed that communities themselves hold important insights, assets, and solutions, and that meaningful transformation happens when stakeholders move beyond consultation toward genuine partnership and long-term investment in people, relationships, and local organisations.”

The findings from the dialogue engagements will contribute to strengthening future development planning, accredited skills pathways, NGO support programmes, agricultural and livelihood initiatives, psychosocial interventions, and long-term ecosystem collaboration within Noupoort and surrounding communities.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post FROM RAILWAY JUNCTION TO COMMUNITY JUNCTION: NOUPOORT REIMAGINES ITS FUTURE THROUGH COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY VOICE appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.

KHULISA SOCIAL SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES QCTO ACCREDITATION MILESTONE TO STRENGTHEN NGO PROFESSIONALISATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Khulisa Social Solutions — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:04:46 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

KHULISA SOCIAL SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES QCTO ACCREDITATION MILESTONE TO STRENGTHEN NGO PROFESSIONALISATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Johannesburg, South Africa | 19 May 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Khulisa Social Solutions is pleased to announce that it has formally received accreditation aligned to the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), paving the way for the rollout of accredited training programmes during the second half of 2026.

This milestone marks a significant step towards strengthening the professionalism, sustainability, and long-term impact of NGOs, community-based organisations, and community development practitioners across South Africa.

The announcement follows an extensive national NGO Training and Accreditation Survey, dialogue circles, organisational assessments, and community engagements conducted by Khulisa in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces.

The findings revealed overwhelming demand for:

· Accredited practical skills programmes,

· Community development qualifications,

· Counselling and psychosocial support training,

· Monitoring and evaluation capacity,

· Governance and compliance strengthening,

· Project management,

· Youth employability pathways,

· And income-generation and entrepreneurship programmes.

The surveys also highlighted that many NGOs continue to face major sustainability challenges linked to:

· Weak governance systems,

· Lack of accredited qualifications,

· Limited monitoring and evaluation capacity,

· Funding readiness challenges,

· And difficulties retaining skilled personnel.

According to Khulisa, the accreditation process creates a pathway for NGOs and community practitioners to move towards more formalised, recognised, and sustainable service delivery models.

Khulisa’s preliminary accreditation framework includes programme pathways linked to:

· Community Development,

· Social Counselling,

· Learning and Development Facilitation,

· Project Management,

· Occupational Health and Safety,

· Workplace Essential Skills,

· Health Promotion,

· and Community Facilitation Systems Support.

The second phase of accreditation is underway and in progress consists of the following Qualifications:

o Life Coach

o Early Childhood Caregiver

o Community Counsellor

o Community Development Facilitator (Drug and Alcohol Abuse Awareness)

o Project Management Facilitator

o Auxiliary Community Development Facilitator

The organisation has also emphasised the importance of practical, workplace-based learning, mentorship, experiential learning opportunities, and community-based training hubs to ensure that learning translates into measurable community impact and sustainable livelihoods.

Lesley Ann van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions, said:

“For many years, NGOs have shouldered enormous responsibility in vulnerable communities, often without access to formalised skills pathways, accredited development opportunities, or structured sustainability mechanisms. This accreditation milestone recognises the value of community practitioners and strengthens the quality, consistency, and sustainability of services delivered within communities.”

The organisation further indicated that accredited training will be part of a broader ecosystem-based approach to strengthening local NGO networks, improving governance and accountability, enhancing employability, and creating decentralised community training hubs linked to practical development outcomes.

Khulisa expects to begin engaging municipalities, NGOs, community-based organisations, donor partners, and other stakeholders in early August 2026 to assess interest in participating in the phased rollout of accredited training and organisational strengthening initiatives across various catchment areas.

This communication serves as a preliminary announcement, with further information on programme streams, eligibility criteria, partnerships, implementation sites, and stakeholder participation processes to be provided in the coming months. Khulisa believes this initiative has the potential to contribute significantly towards:

· Formalising community-based service delivery,

· Strengthening NGO ecosystems,

· Improving community employability pathways,

· And building more resilient and sustainable communities nationally.

For further information or expressions of preliminary interest, stakeholders are encouraged to contact Khulisa Social Solutions directly.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

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MORE THAN 100 DIALOGUE CIRCLES ARE HELPING COMMUNITIES REBUILD COMMUNICATION, TRUST, AND HOPE

Khulisa Social Solutions — Mon, 18 May 2026 07:25:51 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

MORE THAN 100 DIALOGUE CIRCLES ARE HELPING COMMUNITIES REBUILD COMMUNICATION, TRUST, AND HOPE

18 MAY 2026 | Musina, Limpopo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Khulisa Social Solutions has released new AI-assisted diagnostic findings from a sample impact analysis of participants in more than 100 dialogue circles held across Musina and Blouberg, Limpopo, over the past year.

The findings provide exceptionally strong evidence of the positive impact dialogue circles are having on communication, emotional well-being, conflict management, participation, and social cohesion in vulnerable communities.

The diagnostic research found that:
• 100% of participants reported increased confidence following participation in the dialogue circles
• Between 94% and 97% of participants reported feeling more hopeful about the future
• 100% of participants in Blouberg and 97.4% in Musina reported improved willingness to listen to others
• Between 84% and 87% reported improved relationships with others
• Between 84% and 94% reported improved conflict management skills
• More than 84% of participants shared lessons learned with others in their schools, households, peer groups, and communities
• More than 71% actively assisted others in resolving conflict situations within their communities

Using AI-assisted analysis to identify recurring themes and behavioural patterns in participant feedback, the research revealed significant improvements in respectful communication, empathy, emotional regulation, confidence, peer relationships, resilience, and constructive conflict resolution.

Participants consistently referred to calmer communication, improved listening, stronger emotional control, and greater willingness to engage respectfully with others.

The findings further suggest that the dialogue circles are functioning not merely as awareness-raising activities, but as ecosystem-strengthening interventions capable of rebuilding relational trust, strengthening participation, improving psychosocial wellbeing, and contributing to broader social cohesion within fragmented community environments.

According to Dr Lesley Ann van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions, the findings underscore the importance of creating psychologically safe spaces where communities can engage openly, process lived experiences, and collaboratively explore solutions.

“What emerged very clearly from the dialogue circles was the extent to which people want safe spaces to communicate, feel heard, and rebuild relationships. The findings demonstrate that when communities are provided with structured opportunities for engagement, meaningful shifts can occur in communication, empathy, participation, conflict management, and hope,” she said.

The findings form part of Khulisa’s broader Collaborative Implementation Model (CIM), which focuses on strengthening relational infrastructure, participation, psychosocial resilience, and ecosystem functionality to address systemic blockages within vulnerable communities.

Khulisa noted that the ripple effects identified in the findings — particularly participants sharing lessons with others, supporting peers, assisting with conflict resolution, and strengthening relationships within schools and households — demonstrate the growing role dialogue circles can play in fostering long-term community resilience and sustainable social cohesion.

About us

For more information, contact:

Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director and Founder

Khulisa Social Solutions

082 601 2299

lesleyann@khulisa.org.za:

http://www.khulisa.org.za

The post MORE THAN 100 DIALOGUE CIRCLES ARE HELPING COMMUNITIES REBUILD COMMUNICATION, TRUST, AND HOPE appeared first on Khulisa Social Solutions.