Insights from South African rural and township development projects. For social practitioners—whether in social performance, social facilitation, CSI/SED, or the non-profit sector—the question is no longer how many activities we deliver , but how deeply and sustainably we transform communities . The South African context offers clear lessons on what makes a development intervention truly sustainable and impactful. 1. Start With a Clear Understanding of Community Realities Sustainable projects...

In the world of infrastructure, mining, utilities, and development, projects are not just technical undertakings — they are social systems. Every site exists within a web of human relationships, political dynamics, livelihoods, and expectations. Managing those dynamics is not about putting out fires after they start. It’s about building a robust social risk management framework that anticipates, tracks, and addresses risks before they become crises. At Kumalo & Co, we approach social...

Every project that touches people’s lives—whether a pipeline, mine, or housing development—must begin with understanding those people. Community profiling is where that understanding starts. What is Community Profiling? Community profiling is the process of gathering and analysing social, economic, and cultural information about a community. It’s more than demographics—it’s about insight. Profiling reveals how communities are structured, who holds influence, what people value, and where...