10 July 2023, Johannesburg – South African Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), Khulisa Social Solutions has enjoyed yet more feathers in its cap conferred by two international organisations for its outstanding work in the country’s marginalised communities. 

The multi-award winning NPO received a ‘CEO Today Africa Award’ from CEO Today Magazine, which acknowledged Khulisa’s Founder and Managing Director, Lesley Ann Van Selm for her outstanding leadership, vision, and entrepreneurship. According to CEO Today Magazine, this “award programme is dedicated to recognising some of the most innovative and forward-thinking CEOs and business leaders across a number of sectors and industries within Africa.”

Another notable award that Khulisa has scooped is the ‘Best Social Solutions Not-for-Profit 2023’, awarded by Global Excellence Awards, the flagship awards program of Acquisition International magazine. According to Global Excellence Awards, recipients are uncovered through a merit-based system. The organisation’s research team impartially looks into recipients’ evidence of significant achievements and a clear commitment to innovation in a given field.

Lesley Ann Van Selm, Founder and Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions, says, “Khulisa is honoured to be recognised with such prestigious awards, it is encouraging to be noticed for our selfless dedication to improving lives in communities throughout our country. As a not-for-profit organisation, we do not necessarily do our work for awards; however, when we get noticed for our work, it fuels us to deliver even more.”

In the past year, Khulisa received recognition for its positive impact with its flagship programme, Peacemaking Project in Alexandra. This programme was a direct response to civil unrest including the looting and violence in that took place in 2020. Over 35 community Peacemakers were trained to deal with conflicts in the township, this also saw 21 different NGOs organise themselves into four groupings which included Health and Environment, Children, Parents and Children, and Arts and Innovation to directly respond to various problems in the Alexandra community.

The NPO has also undertaken dialogue circles in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and the Western Cape through an ecosystem of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Dialogue circles provide safe spaces for individuals to openly discuss delicate topics and address traumas with the help of social workers and counsellors. They are a critical part of Khulisa’s successful Peacemaking initiatives, and have proven to be useful for participants who believe that their lives and are asking for more engagements.

“The challenges faced by our communities are unending, this is why organisations such as Khulisa are necessary. We are also privileged to have the support of other NGOs, the private sector, and government. Moreover, these awards are a motivation for us to do more, and we will continue to exert ourselves for the betterment of our fellow South Africans,” concludes Van Selm.