October 15, 2026 – Leading a team and supporting people through difficult circumstances both require listening, understanding different perspectives, and navigating disagreements. A recent Conflict Resolution Education training delivered by WPDI South Africa brought RCS team leaders and social workers together to explore these skills and how to use them in their daily work.
Held at RCS, the session marked the partnership’s last training of the year, bringing the total number of participants trained in 2026 to 90, primarily RCS employees. The discussions encouraged participants to reflect on how they respond to conflict, recognize their emotions, and better understand the needs of the people around them.
The training is part of RCS’s long-standing commitment to WPDI. Since we began our work in South Africa, RCS has supported WPDI’s programs in many ways beyond financial support; employees also share their time and expertise to mentor entrepreneurs and community mediators. As part of this partnership, WPDI provides Conflict Resolution Education training to RCS staff, helping them apply these skills in their own workplaces and relationships.
This October, the session also welcomed social workers from the Haven Night Shelter, another organization supported by RCS. The shelter’s CEO had completed WPDI’s course earlier in the year and was eager for his team to experience it too. His recommendation brought the social workers into the training alongside RCS team leaders, allowing both groups to connect the lessons from the course to their responsibilities in the workplace and community.
For Craig Visagie, an RCS staff member, the training offered a new perspective on how his emotions influence his response to conflict: “This training has changed the way I understand conflict. I realize that inner peace starts with how I handle my emotions, not just what is happening around me.”
Fellow RCS staff member Asrine Solomon reflected on the value of taking time to understand what lies behind a disagreement: “I have learned to look deeper into root causes instead of reacting quickly to conflict. It really made me think about how I can carry these lessons into my work and relationships.”
For Anje Bele, a social worker at the Haven Night Shelter, the experience highlighted the importance of caring for herself while supporting others: “I have realized the importance of looking after my own emotional well-being so that I can better serve others as a social worker. It was a real journey of self-discovery, and I am walking away with skills I’ll use every day. Thank you, WPDI.”
Their reflections point to the everyday relevance of conflict resolution education. A disagreement at work or a difficult conversation can be an opportunity to pause, listen, and consider what another person is experiencing before responding. Through the RCS partnership, WPDI creates space for participants to practice these skills and connect them to their own experiences. As this year’s training concludes, participants leave with tools they can continue using with their colleagues, their families, and their wider communities.
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