A positive initiative involving different NGOs took place at Wedela on Wednesday 12 February.

There were over 100 community members gathered at the hall to witness a groundbreaking collaboration among local NGOs, marking a transformative shift towards sustainable community development.

The newly established Wedela Community Development Network has been launched to promote collective action, transitioning from fragmented efforts to united, data driven approach to social change.

“For far too long, NGOs in Wedela have been operating in isolation, each addressing different aspects of community challenges’’ stated Tanki Makwekwe, a prominent advocate for the initiative.

‘’But today, we unite as a collective force, dedicated to enhancing our impact and ensuring that our solutions are not merely temporary fixes but enduring transformations’’ Further mentioned Makwekwe.

Under the guidance of Khulisa Social Solutions, seven NGOs have received training to conduct research, engage with stakeholders and co-create practical, community-driven and achievable solutions.  Another leader in the initiative, emphasized the importance of collaboration.

‘’Rather than competing for resources, we are uniting our strengths, breaking down silos and fostering cohesion in social engagement and this is not merely an alliance but a movement for genuine change,’’ says the organizer, Naledi Ramaru.

From November 2024 to January 2025, Khulisa Social Solutions and its partners engaged with 500 residents through dialogue circles and surveys to assess the community’s most pressing needs.

These findings were formally presented at the event, highlighting the urgent socio-economic and safety concerns affecting Wedela. It was highlighted that the economic hardship is over 57% of households survive on less than R3000 a month and have limited job opportunities. The education and skills gap is a staggering 80% of young people lack of education or vocational training due to financial and informational barriers. There is a lack in safety as well as security as there are rising crime rates, school violence and a weak law enforcement presence which pose significant threats to community stability. There is also NGO capacity challenges as many local NGOs struggle with governance, fundraising and stakeholder collaboration, limiting their effectiveness. The Wedela Community Network is turning data into action in response to these challenges, local NGOs, community leaders and social partners have officially established the Wedela Community Development Network. This coalition is dedicated to promoting collaboration, resource sharing and capacity building to address key social issues such as youth unemployment, gender-based violence (GBV), crime and social instability.

The action plan is to translate research findings into tangible change, Khulisa Social Solutions and its partners have outlined a multi-faceted action plan by strengthening NGOs through leadership training and compliance support.

They will be expanding psychosocial and legal services for victims of GBV and crime as well as creating employment pathways via skills training, business hubs and mentorship programs. Other action plans are to enhance collaboration between NGOs, government and the mining sector as well as promoting sports, arts and cultural initiatives to engage youth and prevent crime.

‘’This research and collective action plan represent a pivotal moment for Wedela and by actively listening to our community’s voices and committing ourselves to collaborative solutions, we are establishing pathways for economic growth, safety and enduring social cohesion,” remarked Lesley Ann Van Selm, the Managing Director of Khulisa Social Solutions.