The butterfly effect: Stories of citizen-led development

The Ikhala Trust in South Africa has always valued the power of story-telling – listening deeply to people, engaging heart to heart and celebrating stories. Ikhala has honoured many pioneering narrators who initiate, lead and manage non-profit organizations in powerful ways, seeding change at each stage of the process. Over Ikhala’s 23 year trajectory, stories have always woven concepts and insights together, echoing the tapestry of the Eastern Cape’s diverse and colourful landscape, where Ikhala has left footprints and touched the lives of many.

The stories shared in this publication chronicle leaders – and the programmes they shaped – whose work has been pioneering in many respects. Each leader, grounded in faith and a belief in human dignity and justice, embraced a simple yet radical idea: that community development should not focus on needs and deficits, but rather on strengths, assets and potential.

Author: Ninnette Eliasov (Elamanzi)

Published by: Ikhala Trust

Published: August 2025

Download: The butterfly effect: Stories of citizen-led development