Written by: Thula Zondi
For Anna De Wee, the Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) workshop created an opportunity to reflect on conflict, communication, and the role individuals can play in building safer communities.
From left to right: Xolile ‘Pro’ Zulani (AVP facilitator) and Anna De Wee (Project Beneficiary)
Anna was among 22 participants from !Kheis Municipality and Kenhardt, Northern Cape, who attended the five-day workshop. Ten of the participants are beneficiaries of the Scatec Social Support Club Programme, implemented by the Lima Rural Development Foundation with support from the Social Employment Fund (SEF). The training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community awareness and response to Gender-Based Violence.
Through the AVP programme, participants explored empathy, cooperation, and constructive communication, while sessions such as the Masculinity Men’s Project (Imbadu) encouraged reflection on positive masculinity and respectful relationships.
For Anna, one of the key lessons was understanding how emotions influence behaviour.
“One of the most important lessons I learned is that if you cannot control your feelings, it can lead to violence,” she said.
The workshop helped participants think differently about conflict and how to respond in challenging situations. Anna believes the experience will continue to shape how she engages with others in her daily life.
“This training will stay with me for a long time,” she said. “It has changed how I think about conflict and how I communicate with others. I want to use what I learned to help create a more peaceful environment for my family and my community.”
Stories like Anna’s show how community-led programmes can equip people with the tools and confidence to foster dialogue, respect, and non-violence where it matters most.
To learn more about the work of the Lima Rural Development Foundation and its community programmes, click here.
Edited by: Caitlin Lamprecht and Margo le Roux