Sthembiso Madlala is a distinguished author, poet, and social commentator, widely
recognized for his expertise in social engagement, public participation, community development, and
organizational development. He is regarded as a leading Social Engagement Practitioner and Public
Participation Specialist, with a career dedicated to advancing inclusive governance, stakeholder
collaboration, and social cohesion. He is the author of the seminal work The Art and Essence of Social
Engagement: Making Sense of Social Facilitation and Stakeholder Engagement, which has contributed
significantly to the understanding and professionalization of social facilitation. He is also the author of the internationally acclaimed poetry collection Fountains of Fear, as well as the impactful and widely
recognized book Seven Days of Mayhem. In addition, he has developed several social engagement
training manuals that support capacity building and professional practice in the sector. Sthembiso began his professional journey as an educator and holds a Teachers’ Diploma from Umbumbulu College of Education. He further obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA), a Diploma in Theology from Kurio Ministers Academy, and an Advanced Certificate in Local Government from the Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA). Affectionately known as “Hlokohloko,” he is the Founder and Director of the Association of Social Engagement Facilitators of Southern Africa (ASEFSA) and the Institute for Social Engagement Facilitators of South Africa (ISEFSA). He is also a co-founder and former chairperson of the Social Cohesion Consortium. From 2017 to 2021, he served as Board Chairperson of Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, where he provided strategic leadership in advancing tourism development and governance. He is currently a founding member of the Social Facilitation Framework Committee, which is responsible for driving the professionalization of Social Facilitation in South Africa. He also serves on various boards and contributes to several leadership and development initiatives across sectors. Previously, Sthembiso served as Programmes Manager at both the Democracy Development Programme (DDP) and the Diakonia Council of Churches. He has worked extensively with municipalities and institutions across South Africa, specializing in public participation and stakeholder engagement processes. His thought leadership is further reflected in a number of academic papers and contributions focused on public participation in local government. Through his writing, leadership, and professional practice, Sthembiso Madlala continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening democratic participation, promoting ethical leadership, and advancing community empowerment and social cohesion in South Africa and beyond.