By Daniel Dunia and Sthabiso Mdledle: The workshop focused on the art of leading people through processes towards agreed-upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, ownership, and creativity from all involved.

The Africa Solidarity Network (ASONET) recently hosted a training for social cohesion practitioners at Isipingo on the 12-14 January 2018.

The aim of the workshop was to train participants on how to demonstrate competency in community-based social cohesion as well as produce facilitators who will promote human rights and social integration messages in communities throughout KwaZulu Natal.

According to the organiser and facilitator Daniel Dunia who is also the main founder of ASONET, the workshop achieved a number of outcomes. These include enhanced understanding of human rights and importance of social cohesion as enabled the Constitution.

“The workshop ensured enhanced awareness among youth about the importance of active citizenship in contributing towards inclusive community development irrespective of their nationality, ethnicity, and social status,” said Dunia.

He said that this intervention has helped strengthened interactions between migrants and their hosts (South African) black and white in communities where they reside.

“Demonstrated by an enhanced understanding of the importance of social cohesion and learning to work hand in hand in building a socially-cohesive community as partners”, said Dunia.

According to Dunia, a follow up workshop will be held towards the end of March 2018, as Train the Trainer workshop.