Learn – Lead – Serve

We believe in fostering a culture of learning, leadership, and service. Through our comprehensive programs, you'll gain the knowledge and skills you need to become a confident leader who makes a positive difference in the world.

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SALA is sad to inform its community that one of its founders, Dr G H Tootla has returned to the mercy of the Lord. May Allah SWT grant him the highest stages in Jannatul Firdaus.

2025 on-line Application for SALA leadership programme

Southern Africa Leadership Academy (formerly HRDP) - Application for Year 1 only viz for people attending for the first time only.

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Our Most Popular Courses

The annual one-week Leadership Training Programme (LTP) is our flagship course, arising from a strategic plan that saw the need to provide several short courses relevant to the participants’ daily responsibilities.

NB: Applications Open Annually on the
01 April 2025 - 30 June 2025

Leadership Training Programme (LTP)

“The Annual one-week Leadership Training Programme (LTP) equips participants with essential skills, making them effective administrators, employees, and leaders in their communities. It promotes a positive representation of Islam in a growing hostile environment.” - Uncle Rashid Chopdat

  • The LTP emerged from a strategic plan that recognized the need for short courses tailored to participants’ daily responsibilities.
  • The goal was to equip participants with essential skills that would enhance their effectiveness as administrators, employees, and leaders within their respective communities.
  • The program aims to positively represent Islam in an environment that is increasingly challenging and sometimes hostile.
  • Since its inception in 2016, approximately 90 male and female graduates have completed the internal course over 2 weeks.
  • These graduates consistently report that the acquired skills have not only inspired them but also enabled them to achieve remarkable results in their fieldwork and collaboration with committees.
  • The LTP equips participants with practical tools to navigate their roles effectively and contribute positively to their communities.
  • The LTP serves as a platform for fostering excellence in leadership and community engagement.
  • By empowering participants with relevant skills, the program contributes to the development of effective administrators who can drive positive change.
  • Furthermore, the focus on propagating Islam in a positive manner aligns with the broader mission of promoting understanding and goodwill in a diverse and challenging world.

Our
Members

What Our alumni Have to Say.

The SALA program has brought immense benefits to both our organization and the community we serve. Through the SALA, our organization has witnessed improved productivity, decision-making, and teamwork among members. As a result, the community has received better services and support, leading to increased satisfaction and trust. Additionally, the leadership skills acquired have empowered individuals to take on more responsibilities and drive positive change, creating a ripple effect of progress and growth.
Jabulani Muslim Charlie
Director , Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD)
As one of the graduates of the above programme I really benefited a lot myself, my organization and my community. My current organization is Estcourt Islamic Centre and after completing the SALA programme I managed to join various organizations like IPCI opened a branch in Estcourt and working as Head of Dawah. I joined lmam Development Program and assisting me playing all the leadership in my community like Distribution of Food hampers, Qurban, Ramadan lftar also working with Al lmdaad Foundations and at my above organization I'm working as inspector to day maktabs Alhamdolillahi and I'm able to facilitate all the programmes and take up all the leadership. Also, I'm the lmam at one of Estcourt Islamic Centres that is called Wembezi Township
Sheikh Muhammad Morgan Ndlovu
Imam, Estcourt Islamic Centres
We have significantly benefited as community in various ways. These services from Sala provided moral and ethical guidance, promoted unity and cohesion among community members, offered social support networks, and contributed to the overall well-being of individuals. Through religious teachings, people have found solace during tough times, cultivated compassion and empathy, and developed a sense of purpose and direction in their lives. Overall, such services have played a crucial role in shaping the values and beliefs of our community. We thank you Sala !!!
Miakaeel Ncube
Community Member, Oshabeni KwaZulu Natal
Shk Ishaq Ali. The Southern Africa Leadership Academy (SALA) programme was a transformative experience that equipped me with strategic leadership skills, enhancing my impact in the Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) Muslim Community where I serve as an Imaam. SALA helped me develop effective partnerships, drive community engagement, and foster inclusive decision-making. My organization and the community we serve have benefited significantly from my enhanced leadership capabilities, leading to increased collaboration and social cohesion.
Sheikk Ishaq Ali
Imaam, Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) Muslim Community

Other Courses

  1. Public Speaking
  2. Setting up and managing successful NGOs.
  3. How to be a director at an NGO.
  4. Team Building
  5. Writing Reports and Minutes of Meetings.
  6. Communication Skills.
  7. Stress Management in Islam.
  8. Basic Bookkeeping for NGOs
  9. Introduction to Project Management.
  10. Youth Leadership Development.
  11. Introduction to Strategic Planning
  12. Counselling Skills for Duats and Volunteers
  13. Budgeting skills for NGOs.
  14. Dawah techniques and Digital Dawah.

Acknowledgment and commemoration of the late
Uncle Ahmed "Smiley" Ismael

"Southern Africa Leadership Academy (SALA) acknowledges and commemorates the late
Uncle Ahmed "Smiley" Ismael for his encouragement and dedication to the cause of leadership training."'