Creators of Peace Circle at Olivienhoutbosch Development Association (ODA), South Africa 

On the 2nd - 4th of May, we delivered a Creators of Peace Circle (Inner Healing) to a group of 10 young people (nine women and one man), from the ages of 19 to 29 years from the different extensions of the Olievenhoutbosch community, south-west of Johannesburg. These participants are originally from Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kwa Zulu Natal and came to Olievenhoutbosch to find work and support their families back home.

Improving communication skills, learning how to express oneself and learning how to forgive others were some of the expectations expressed.

Among the participants in this Peace Circle were heartaches caused by neglect and the need to vent their life's experiences. One participant mentioned that her father neglected her when she was still young and now she feels like she is being neglected by her partner as well and this hurts. Priscilla mentioned that she finds it challenging that her partner doesn’t want to communicate with her, especially when there is an issue they need to talk about. She mentioned that he usually just keeps quiet and does not respond to her. This makes her angry.

Facilitator, Cleo Mohlaodi, reminded participants of one of conflict resolution methods we learned about in day one during ‘What builds and destroys peace’. She mentioned that it is important to create a space that allows both parties to be able to talk about an issue at hand while using the 3I’s conflict resolution method.

During the Inner Listening session, Dimpho told how her mother never sees anything positive she says or does. She gives her hidings even for things that she did not do. She said, “My mom is bitter and I hate her. I’m struggling to love her as my mother because of how she treats me.”

Koketso told that his mother left him with his maternal grandmother and she has never taken care of him. He continued and said, My mother is a drunkard and she never comes to visit me and my grandmother. I want to forgive her by accepting that she doesn’t want me in her life and that is not easy for me. Yet, for my healing, I want to do it.”

Facilitator Gladys Mabe, said, “This Peace Circle made me realise the depth of pain I have experienced while I was growing up - I needed my father’s love and care so much . I also experienced rape by my cousin while nobody else was home. I’m grateful that this has come into to my awareness as I continue my inner healing journey.”

‘The power of forgiveness’ session was another tough session for the participants where they struggled to understand why forgiveness is for them when they are the ones who are hurt. After going through the session, they then understood that forgiveness is really for their benefit and a way of them moving on with lessons received. One participant mentioned that she is finding it hard to forgive her father who has stopped talking with her and playing his fatherly role. However, she now wants to forgive him so that she can release the anger she has for her dad and his new wife.

Thandeka thanked the programme and said she now has tools to use in forgiving her stepfather for physically and emotionally abusing her for being ‘different’ just because her father is a white man whom she doesn’t know.

The follow-up session will be on the 19th May 2023.

We like to thank Initiatives of Change, South Africa, Ukulunga Foundation, ODA and the Sylvia Zuber Fund for the support offered in the success of for this workshop

Report by Cleo Mohlaodi and Gladys Mabe