Our mission
To deliver innovative psychosocial support, training, learning and research, and collaborative special projects that empower individuals and strengthen community mental health systems in contexts facing structural disadvantage and trauma.
Guiding Principles and Values
Our conduct is grounded in both human-rights and eco-rights obligations. These values are expressed through the following behavioural actions:
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Respect and Dignity:
Treat every person and eco-environment with courtesy and empathy; honour the inherent worth of each human being and eco-environment.
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Ubuntu and Belonging:
Recognise our interdependence and nurture relationships of mutual care.
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Inclusion, Equity and Equality:
Eliminate discrimination/ prejudice/ stigma by promoting equal, equitable opportunities.
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Safety and Support:
Create a holistic approach pertaining to safety within workspaces.
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Transparency and Ethics:
Act with honesty, accountability, and fairness.
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Growth Mindset and Learning:
Reflect, learn, and improve continuously through feedback to transformation and innovation.
Vision
Building Thriving Futures Through Care, Creativity, and Connection
Thriving futures for young people and families in communities where safety, creativity and connection are nurtured.
Baratang Primary Objectives
The organisation’s primary objective is to contribute to changing the face of education by nurturing whole-school wellbeing and strengthening community support systems. Through our Safe School Initiative, we work to cultivate school cultures rooted in Ubuntu, dignity, belonging, and collective care.
- Providing trauma-informed and healing-centred arts-based learning programmes for learners experiencing behavioural, emotional, and social challenges.
- Creating at least one stable, caring, and supportive relationship between a child and a skilled adult, which supports:
- The development of resilience and healthy coping strategies
- A sense of agency and mastery over life circumstances
- Strong executive functioning and learning readiness
- Emotional regulation and self-management skills
- Connection to affirming cultural, spiritual, and community traditions
- Facilitating supportive peer groups through therapeutic and group-based interventions to promote belonging and long-term psychosocial support beyond programme delivery.
- Capacitating educators to effectively support traumatised learners through:
- Trauma-informed teacher training interventions
- Trauma Education: Healing Arts Pedagogies and Practices (HAPPy)
- Capacitating parents and caregivers through:
- Trauma-informed parenting workshops and psycho-educational programmes
- Strengthening family support systems and caregiver wellbeing
- Creating safer school environments by addressing trauma and strengthening resilience through:
- Whole-school community interventions and advocacy
- Collaboration with school leadership and governing bodies
- Advocating for a psycho-educational, trauma-informed, and healing-centred education system that includes:
- Trained and supported educators
- Informed and engaged parents and caregivers
Accessible therapeutic and psychosocial support for learners
Baratang Secondary Objectives
The organisation’s secondary objectives are to:
- Create strong community-based networks to support children affected by trauma and adversity
- Provide employment, training, and professional development opportunities for emerging practitioners and young professionals
Develop culturally responsive and practical resources for trauma-informed work within education and community contexts
The focus of Baratang Initiative is to invest in human potential by strengthening relationships, restoring dignity, and building resilient support systems through therapeutic intervention, training, and collaborative community engagement.
The Baratang Team
Mrs Nozipho Khumalo
Board Treasurer & co-founding COO
Higher Diploma in Education (Durban College of Education), Waldorf teacher, Emergency Pedagogy training
Nozipho Khumalo is an experienced and compassionate educator with over 17 years of experience in both mainstream and special needs education. A registered member of the South African Council for Educators (SACE), she has dedicated her career to empowering learners through inclusive teaching, psychosocial support, and community engagement.
Her professional journey spans diverse sectors — from education and community outreach to administration and international service — each shaping her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Nozipho’s deep commitment to human development extends beyond the classroom, where she has coordinated community outreach programmes and advocated for holistic approaches to learning and wellbeing.
As an Autism Spectrum Disorder Ambassador, she actively promotes awareness, inclusion, and early intervention for children with special needs. Her strength lies in creating nurturing environments that foster confidence, growth, and dignity — particularly among individuals facing structural and social disadvantage.
Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of education, Nozipho brings empathy, professionalism, and innovation to every space she serves. Through her involvement in psychosocial and learning initiatives, she continues to make meaningful contributions to strengthening community mental health systems and empowering individuals to thrive.
Dr Welma de Beer
Board Secretary & co-founding CEO
PhD Drama Therapy & MA in Drama Therapy (Wits), MA & BA(Hons) in Applied Theatre; BA Drama in Higher Education Diploma, (UOFS)
Dr Welma de Beer is a lecturer, Waldorf teacher, facilitator, actress, writer, director, producer, and HPCSA-registered drama therapist. She holds a PhD in Drama Therapy from Drama for Life, University of the Witwatersrand and two MA degrees in Applied Drama and Drama Therapy. Her current work focuses on Higher Education as a lecturer at the Centre for Creative Education. She is particularly passionate about addressing the impact of trauma on the physical, psychological, and cognitive development of learners. Her doctoral research led to the creation of a healing-centred professional development programme that supports teachers in addressing trauma and building resilience in South African schools.
With over four decades of experience, Welma has utilised drama therapy and applied theatre to support social transformation in areas such as community empowerment, environmental education, literacy, trauma-informed teaching, capacity building, rural development, gender empowerment, children’s rights, social rehabilitation, and public mental health.
Her practice draws on Augusto Boal’s applied theatre methods and drama therapy approaches, including Neuro-Dramatic Play, the Sesame approach, Role Theory, and Psychodrama. These methods create spaces for reflection and transformation — enabling participants to explore experience, identify needs, discover solutions, strengthen self-confidence, and challenge limiting social constructs.
Welma’s experience spans scriptwriting, research, producing, directing, and performing across television, theatre, cabaret, musical theatre, puppetry, and developmental theatre. She continues to deepen her personal practice through storytelling, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and healing dance. She is an active member of the Anthroposophical Society, SANATA and IACAET.
Ms Zandile Dimakatso Seleme
Board Chairperson and co-founding CEO
National Diploma in Musical Theatre (TUT), BA Honn Drama Therapy (WITS),
MA Drama Therapy (WITS)
Zandile Dimakatso Seleme is the co-founding Board Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Baratang Initiative. She is a Drama Therapist (HPCSA registered) and Programme Manager with more than ten years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and young adults within culturally diverse and resource-constrained communities. She holds a Master’s degree in Drama Therapy from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her work reflects a deep commitment to dignity, belonging, and well-being for all.
Zandile’s leadership is grounded in extensive practice in psychosocial care, community development, and education. As a former Programme Manager at Lawyers Against Abuse (LVA), she led multidisciplinary teams in trauma-informed interventions for survivors of abuse and collaborated with state actors and community stakeholders to foster collective care and address professional burnout. She has also developed early childhood interventions promoting prosocial behaviour and educator capacity in contexts affected by violence and inequality.
An experienced educator and researcher, Zandile has lectured at the University of the Witwatersrand and presented at national conferences and master classes. Her work includes engaging media platforms to promote awareness on gender, well-being, and inclusion. She has strong safeguarding experience and applies a trauma-informed and rights-based approach to organisational care.
At Baratang Initiative, Zandile intends to lead with a collaborative spirit—centering care, reflection, and inclusion in programmes that strengthen individuals and communities toward sustainable wellbeing within their environment.
“The future comes from the past in the present.”