MEDIA RELEASE
KHULISA EQUIPS WESTERN CAPE SOCIAL WORKERS TO DRIVE INNOVATION AND HEALING THROUGH NARRATIVE PRACTICE
Cape Town – 12 May 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On the 9th May 2025, Khulisa Social Solutions hosted a powerful one-day workshop in the Western Cape, bringing together all its provincial social workers and auxiliary social workers for transformative training in narrative therapy and innovative thinking. Titled “Unlocking Community Strengths: Narrative Practices and Innovative Thinking for Social Workers,” the workshop represents a key milestone in Khulisa’s national rollout of an ecosystem-based approach to community development.
Led by internationally acclaimed narrative therapist and social entrepreneur Indra Wussow, the session empowered Khulisa’s frontline staff to reimagine their roles—not just as service providers but as change agents embedded within their communities.
“This isn’t just another training—it’s a catalytic moment,” said Lesley Ann van Selm, Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions. “We are equipping our teams with powerful methodologies that transform trauma into resilience and scarcity into innovation. These are the tools that will rebuild our communities from within.”
Innovative Thinking Meets Local Wisdom
The workshop explored the principles of Narrative Therapy, helping social workers support clients in re-authoring their personal stories with dignity and strength. Participants engaged in creative exercises using metaphors, drawing, and reflective conversation to develop strength-based approaches to community work.
In parallel, staff were introduced to Systematic Innovative Thinking (SIT), a globally recognised innovation model that empowers problem-solving without needing additional resources. SIT’s relevance is extreme in resource-scarce settings like Khulisa. It trains social workers to identify and reconfigure existing community assets in new, impactful ways.
Innovative Thinking Meets Local Wisdom
The workshop explored the principles of Narrative Therapy, helping social workers support clients in re-authoring their personal stories with dignity and strength. Participants engaged in creative exercises using metaphors, drawing, and reflective conversation to develop strength-based approaches to community work.
In parallel, staff were introduced to Systematic Innovative Thinking (SIT), a globally recognised innovation model that empowers problem-solving without needing additional resources. SIT’s relevance is extreme in resource-scarce settings like Khulisa. It trains social workers to identify and reconfigure existing community assets in new, impactful ways.
Caring for the Carers
Khulisa also acknowledged the emotional demands faced by social workers who live and work in the same environments they serve. The workshop included a dedicated self-care component, allowing staff to reflect on burnout, reconnect with their purpose, and develop resilience strategies to continue serving their communities sustainably.
“Social workers often carry invisible emotional loads,” said Indra Wussow. “This workshop created a space to honour that reality and ensure that those healings are also being held and supported.”
Scaling Community-Led Change
Each trained social worker will now return to their respective communities to apply what they’ve learned—leading dialogue circles, capacitating local organisations, and mentoring others to scale the impact. Over the next six months, this cohort will play a pivotal role in embedding Khulisa’s social cohesion strategy throughout the Western Cape.
Significantly, this training will be expanded nationally. On the 16th 2025, Khulisa will host a follow-up training in Johannesburg, where staff from five provinces will convene to be capacitated in the same transformative methodologies. This national roll-out ensures consistency, shared learning, and the development of a unified network of empowered social change agents.
“This is not the end—it’s the beginning of a movement,” said van Selm. “By equipping local leaders with the tools to listen, reflect, and innovate, we are laying the foundation for sustainable social change rooted in community strength.”
About us
Founded in 1997, Khulisa Social Solutions is a national non-profit organisation promoting social cohesion, restorative justice, and community-led innovation across South Africa. With a presence in eight provinces and a track record of award-winning interventions, Khulisa empowers communities by nurturing local wisdom and unlocking collective potential.
For more information, contact:
Lesley Ann van Selm | Managing Director
Khulisa Social Solutions
lesleyann@khulisa.org.za
082 601 2299
http://www.khulisa.org.za
