From Concept to Experience: How SALT Came Alive in Cape Town

[Sadia Jafrin]

From November 17th to 21st, 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Teach For All Social Entrepreneurs Gathering in Cape Town, South Africa—a gathering that was nothing short of transformative. Surrounded by 27 incredible individuals from 14 countries, each of us using our fellowship experiences to tackle global challenges, I felt the power of shared purpose and the warmth of global collaboration.

As part of my participation, I had the opportunity to share the Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) and SALT developed by The Constellation—a community-based behavior change approach designed to encourage communities to take ownership of their development challenges. The concept is simple yet profound: when people take ownership of their challenges, they can then take meaningful action to overcome them. CLCP and SALT work together in harmony: as communities recognize and appreciate their strengths, they can base their actions on them. And when they take action, reflecting on those steps, they deepen their understanding of their own capacities.

In the Lightning Talk, I had just seven minutes to present and eight minutes for Q&A, which felt like an impossible task. I couldn’t explain the depth of CLCP and SALT as I had hoped, and initially, I worried that people didn’t fully understand the approach. But as the session wrapped up, something beautiful happened. People were eager to learn more, asking insightful questions, and the conversation continued well beyond the conference. They shared how they wished they had more time to dive deeper into the methodology, and I was inspired by their curiosity and enthusiasm.

After the conference, I joined two other participants for a three-day Garden Route tour of Cape Town, which included a Safari—a chance to witness the awe-inspiring Big Five animals in their natural habitat: the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. The beauty of Cape Town, with its majestic landscapes and vibrant wildlife, was like a dream come true. But as we marveled at the scenery, I couldn’t help but think of the suffering that still lingers for the black community in South Africa—a stark contrast to the beauty surrounding us.

During the safari, I had an insightful conversation with Rachael, a fellow participant from Malaysia. We discussed SALT and CLCP, and it struck me that simply talking about these concepts was not enough to truly understand them. We needed to experience them.

After returning from the safari, our Airbnb felt like another little dreamland—an oasis where our conversations could continue. Next day morning, after a sound sleep we decided to dive deeper into SALT. My friend Purva from India joined us, and the three of us began our SALT conversation. Sharing our stories felt incredibly liberating. When I shared mine, I felt an overwhelming sense of lightness, as if a burden had been lifted. Rachael shared her thoughts on the experience, and her words resonated deeply:

“Beyond just affirmations, where the person giving out the affirmation chooses to see what they see, I found the SALT conversation to be one that went so much deeper. The person sharing could open up about something deeply personal and hear meaningful affirmations for something they already believed they did well in. The affirmation now had a more profound value, especially for those who find it difficult to accept compliments.”

Those words stayed with me, and in that moment, I realized how much more powerful SALT is when we live it, when we experience it in the truest sense. It’s not just a methodology; it’s a way of being with one another. Rachael, too, was moved by the experience, and she shared that she wanted her team and her communities to feel the same. She was eager to continue the conversation.

SALT, as we experienced it in Cape Town, became more than just a concept. It became a pathway to understanding, connection, and growth. In the heart of South Africa, amidst its beauty and its struggles, we learned that the most profound changes come not from simply talking about challenges but from living and experiencing the process of change together.

This journey, like the landscapes of Cape Town, was a tapestry of wonder, of learning, of discovery, and above all, of love—love for each other’s stories, love for the work we do, and love for the communities we are committed to supporting.

I will carry these lessons with me as I continue to grow, share, and connect with others, ever grateful for the chance to have shared this journey with such extraordinary people. Thank you, Cape Town, for the beauty, for the lessons, and for the unforgettable experience.

[Sadia Jafrin]

Thank you very much, Manira Apa. I always learn from your enthusiasm and wisdom.

[Sadia Jafrin]

Thank you so much, Luc Barriere-Constantin, for your very kind words. I believe in the process rather than in destiny. For me, SALT is a process—a way of living.

[Luc Barriere-Constantin]

Thank you Sadia for sharing your experience in disseminating the SALT-CLCP. And, above all, for reiterating the idea that experiencing the SALt is the best way to understand it. 

[Sadia Jafrin]

Thank you so much, Rituu, for introducing me to such a great way of living.

[Manira khanam]

Apu I got to know and learn a lot by reading your article. Especially about other countries. Thank you very much for including the salt approach. 

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Pictures of SALT knowledge Fair in South Africa many years ago- https://aidscompetence.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2028109%3AAlbum...

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Thank you for the lesson that we have to first experience SALT to understand it!