Xazulula Lesedi

Xazulula—meaning “resolve”—is a trauma-informed community development initiative co-implemented by INSPIRE and the Centre for Mental Wellness and Leadership (CMWL) with support from the DG Murray Trust.

The implementation of Xazulula with the Lesedi Renewable Energy Community Trust built on lessons from previous pilots in South Africa and Sierra Leone, aiming to strengthen the capacity of community leadership in renewable energy contexts to address and transform the impact of trauma on development outcomes. 

Through a structured, multi-phase training process, the project equipped participants with the skills to recognise and respond to trauma within themselves, their organisations, and the broader community. This is essential in contexts where historical and ongoing social wounds can undermine leadership effectiveness, governance, and the ability to realise long-term development goals. 

These trainings hosted by INSPIRE in partnership with the Centre for Mental Wellness and Leadership (CMWL)  and with support from DGMT, reached 61 participants from Lesedi Solar Park Project which included local NGOs, implementing partners, Social Performance Practitioners, the Advisory Committee, and the Lesedi Renewable Energy Community Trust. The three separate trainings were aimed at building Trauma-informed leadership and governance capacity to strengthen community leaders. 

The trainings were a success, drawing 22% more participants than anticipated. Participants left with a clear understanding that unaddressed trauma undermines programming, governance and weakens collaboration. It was clear from participants that, “healing creates the inner capacity for empathy, reflection, and fairness that effective leadership demands. Healing is not separate from leadership work; it is leadership work.” 

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