South Africa: Learning, unlearning and growing together - my WOSSO onboarding experience

From 17–19 June, I had the privilege of attending the Women’s Voice and Leadership South Africa (WOSSO) onboarding facilitated by Gender Links. Being part of this onboarding was an inspiring and eye-opening experience that reminded me why continuous learning is so important in the work we do.

One of my biggest takeaways was that learning also means unlearning. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we already know enough, but opportunities like this remind us that there is always something new to discover. Every conversation, every presentation, and every shared experience challenged me to reflect on my own understanding. It reinforced the belief that knowledge is power, and that we should never stop learning.

The module that particularly captured my attention was the SAGE module. As an organisation that is committed to inclusion, I immediately recognised how valuable this learning will be for Tosunga Baninga. We have been facilitating LGBTQI+ sensitisation workshops in our communities, but this session made me realise that there is still so much more for us to learn.

One important lesson I took away is the need to remain humble and intentional in our work. 

It is essential that we continue collaborating with organisations that have extensive experience and expertise in LGBTQI+ rights and inclusion. These partnerships will help ensure that our programmes are respectful, informed, and affirming, while reducing the risk of unintentionally causing harm or offending the very communities we seek to support.

The onboarding also reminded me of the importance of using inclusive and respectful language. The way we address people matters. Being mindful of the words we use and respecting how individuals identify themselves helps create safe spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and respected.

Beyond the learning itself, I was encouraged by the opportunity to connect with organisations from different sectors, each bringing unique experiences and expertise. I look forward to learning from every organisation represented in the WOSSO programme, sharing our own experiences, and building meaningful collaborations that will strengthen our collective impact.

Thank you to Gender Links for creating a space that encourages growth, reflection, and partnership. I am excited about this journey and cannot wait for our next WOSSO meeting. If this onboarding is anything to go by, I know the months ahead will be filled with learning, collaboration, and opportunities to create more inclusive communities together.

(Written by Itumeleng Maloka, RWVL Intern)