Written by Tshandapiwa Fumo

Nestled in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, the Msunduzi Local Municipality is a vibrant area known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and tight-knit community. With rolling hills and a mix of urban and rural settings, Msunduzi is not just a place on the map, it is a thriving hub of activity and life. At the Bessie Head Library, in Pietermaritzburg, is where our story begins, with the launch of the USAID-Siyafunda Community Learning Hubs Project, funded by USAID.

The sun was shining brightly over Msunduzi, excitement buzzing in the air as we began our journey in February 2024.  I was excited at the new responsibility that I had assumed as the Deputy Chief of Party over and above my Monitoring and Evaluation responsibilities at Nalibali. By the way, I had just started working for Nalibali, I could feel the energy and anticipation of meeting new people in KZN and making things happen. It was a momentous season, filled with hope and the promise of positive change for the children in the Msunduzi area. Our goal as Nalibali was to create a Community-Based Early Learning Ecosystem that fosters play-based learning, encourages literacy development and supports parents and caregivers in engaging with their children.

As we kicked off the Siyafunda project, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and responsibility. We were about to embark on a journey that would connect families, Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners, and community members in an effort to enhance the learning experience for our youngest citizens.     

Nal'ibali's Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Officer Tshandapiwa Fumo handing out USAID Siyafunda Community Learning Hubs goodie bags with children's storybooks and literacy training materials for parents at the launch of the USAID-Siyafunda Community Learning Hubs in Imbali, Umsunduzi Municipality,  KZN.

Before diving headfirst into the project, we conducted a community mapping exercise to better understand the unique dynamics at play in Msunduzi. This exercise was essential in identifying the various social structures and relationships within the community. We discovered that urban areas were primarily led by ward councilors, while rural areas had a blend of ward councilors and traditional leadership, including chiefs and their councils. Navigating these diverse structures would require a careful and respectful approach to ensure we engaged effectively with all stakeholders. With this knowledge in hand, we prioritized early engagement with community stakeholders through Area-Based Management (ABM) and Bessie Head library services. Establishing trust and open communication was our primary focus, setting the stage for a successful collaboration. Our initial strategy revolved around connecting with traditional leadership. I was accompanied by members from the library services and ABM to go and present the project to the Chiefs.

The day before I met the first Chief it dawned on me that I was in KZN. It was the Chief that I was going to meet and guess what? I had no dress to wear! I had only packed pants. In a rush, I dashed into a local store and snagged a simple yet elegant dress, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. As we approached the chiefs, my heart raced with fear; this was uncharted territory for me! I had to brush up on my Zulu etiquette and learned that you must say statements like “Ndabezitha” before saying anything else, which made me appreciate the depth of their culture. This experience opened my eyes to the rich traditions of Zulu culture that I had not known before, and it felt both humbling and enriching to engage with such profound customs.

We assumed that getting support from ABM and traditional leadership was enough to smoothen the path for project entry. However, we soon learned that this assumption wasn't enough. Just as we were gearing up for action, we encountered some hurdles with the ward councillors. They voiced their frustration about not being consulted during our community entry phase. They made it clear that they needed to be engaged directly for the project to move forward. Surely that made sense, who goes into a home as a stranger and plays with children without introducing him or herself to the parents? As you may all know, employment is a sensitive issue in the country,  The project needed us to Employ Literacy Mentors and Story Sparkers who are the people who would facilitate learning activities with children. They insisted that only community members from their wards should be included in the project. There was a call for us to comply with that. Despite recognizing the project's potential benefits, ward councilors indicated that they would be hesitant to participate until their concerns were addressed.

With these challenges in mind, we decided to hit pause on the project and refocus our efforts on resolving the issues.  We organized presentations for Ward councilors, laying out the project's goals, scope, and benefits.

Sitting in the same room as ward councilors for the first time had my heart racing with a mix of fear and anxiety. This takes me back to the stress, laughter, and planning that my Chief of Party Neli, and I had to go through. We would even strategise about where to sit in the meetings, right by the door in case we had to run off, that was us being dramatic.  I mean, these were political figures with authority and influence, and here I was, just trying to make a positive impact in the community! I felt the weight of expectations, worrying about saying the wrong things or not being taken seriously. But amidst all that nervousness, I also felt a rush of excitement. It was an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of community engagement, and I was eager to share our vision for the Siyafunda project.

Well, in the meetings with Councillors, we emphasized the importance of their support for accessing community resources like venues and local service providers. To meet the councilors' expectations, we rearranged the placement of Story Sparkers to ensure they worked within their respective wards. We committed to keeping the ward councilors informed and involved in decision-making processes, fostering transparency throughout the project's implementation.

The USAID-Siyafunda Community Learning Hubs launch in Imbali, Umsunduzi Municipality, KZN.

The hard work paid off! Our efforts to address the councilors’ concerns led to a wave of positive outcomes. With a clearer understanding of the project’s goals and alignment with community needs, the councilors became enthusiastic supporters. The project proceeded smoothly, with community members actively participating, utilizing local venues, and engaging local service providers as planned. Our relationships with ward councilors improved, making collaboration even smoother as we moved forward.

In all this, we gained some valuable lessons that engaging the right and relevant stakeholders at the beginning of a project is crucial. Their support is vital for gaining community acceptance. Sometimes you just need to pause and address concerns to maintain long-term relationships and preserve project credibility.

For those looking to launch similar initiatives, here are some heads up! Be sure to identify all relevant stakeholders and engage them early in the planning process, develop a joint to engage stakeholders to ensure smoother community access. Keep all stakeholders informed of progress and opportunities for involvement. Ensure local representation among staff to avoid friction with leadership and remember that it is important to support local economies in your projects.

Now, reflecting on the successful start of Siyafunda, I am bursting with joy! Despite the challenges we faced, through humility and respect, we turned things around and built stronger relationships. It is fulfilling to see how open conversations and teamwork can pave the way for progress. I have learned so much about navigating community dynamics, and it feels amazing to kick off this journey with a sense of accomplishment. The energy from our Story Sparkers and literacy mentors in Msunduzi is electric, and I can't wait to see where this adventure takes us next!