It is the early 1800’s, a world where horses are the only way to travel on land faster than humans. In teleport Chantal and Matthew with a custom-made jet engine. The crowd gathers with curiosity to look at these two pale, oddly dressed creatures. The couple talk with strange accents as they urge the crowd to try this contraption out.
“We don’t know what that is,” responds the crowd.
“We have no idea what those shiny bits are that make that thing up,” they mutter, frowning.
“We don’t need that,” they start to mumble, shaking their heads.
“Go away you witches,” they begin to yell. “You mad, crazy people. Leave us with our trusty steeds that do everything we need them to.”
That was what it felt like in 2018 when we introduced Shape of Emotion to a world that barely knew what an emotion was or how it was made, let alone how to manage one. And anyway when things got tough for people there was the usual to fall back on: a drink, a puff, a pill. Those trusty and reliable steeds that do everything they needed them to.
Our first workshop at a school
Between February 2018 and the end of 2019 we had facilitated 15 workshops and given over 20 talks and presentations on Shape of Emotion, the process we had developed that was the jet engine for emotion regulation. We worked hard trying to convince people of its benefits. There were those that recognised the possibilities.
One of the first Emotional Fitness workshops we gave in the school environment was at Sekwati Primary School in Soweto. It was a one day pilot programme that was attended by some of the educators, a few SGB members and a visiting psychologist. The principal, Snooky Msibi, was an early adopter, who went on to complete our Shape of Emotion Foundation course. She was keen to introduce the work into the rest of her team and the school.
Unfortunately there was some reticence from other staff members who had not attended the pilot, plus there was no funding available. We could not continue to provide the work for free so we cast our eyes around for an alternative solution.
This led us to Astonishment Mapurisa who heads up YOSA (Youth Opportunities South Africa). One of his main areas of support is with student social workers who are placed in high schools. He saw an opportunity for us to train the social workers to use Shape of Emotion in their work as well as to host monthly emotional fitness classes to support their wellbeing. Our “outsourced model” started taking shape.
As 2020 arrived with pandemic chaos our funding proposals fell into that pit of going nowhere together with us and most people on the planet.
Eight months after introducing Shape of Emotion to the world in our pilot workshop, we found ourselves building Emotional Fitness at Sekwati Primary School through a 'Shape of Emotion Care' workshop.
An auspicious place
Cycle back to August 2024 and an executive summary of a study of anxiety in high school learners lands in the inbox of many, to be read or discarded. One person read it and responded immediately. Astonishment, back in our lives with a bang, urged us to spend some time with his current social work students and staff. Of course we agreed.
“Where will we meet you? At Wits like before?” asked Matthew. He put the call on speaker so Chantal could be part of the conversation too.
“We can meet there but we have offices in Soweto,” answered Astonishment.
“Oh that’s fine, we know Soweto. Where abouts?”
“Sekwati Primary School. We have our offices on their property.”
Chantal looked at Matthew, her eyes wide. “You have got to be kidding?” she said gleefully, “We’re going back to where it all started.”
A more auspicious place or connection we could not have conjured up in our dreams. We certainly had cycled back in more ways than one.
Part of 5th Place’s Emotional Fitness offerings is the confidential collection and analysis of data. This ensures that our services are a good fit and helps identify those most at risk and in need of support.
Sharing challenges
Mid Saturday morning we took the N1 Western Bypass to the Soweto off ramp, through the large traffic circle onto Klipspruit Valley Rd, past the Orlando Stadium and onto Molapo. Soweto was relatively quiet as we wound our way into the smaller streets and to the school.
The two buildings that house YOSA stood at the far end of the school’s property adjacent to a healthy vegetable garden housed under blue shade cloth. We were joyfully met by Astonishment who introduced us to the mixed group of eleven qualified and student social workers. What followed was an opportunity for them to give us some insight into their challenges and concerns.
Most were feeling the weight of the work they do. Although they believed in their cause it was difficult to gauge the difference they were making when there was so much to do. They face teens who aren’t honest, avoid taking responsibility and use the blame game to divert attention.
Role clarification is blurred so that the social workers find themselves being used as teacher assistants. Because they are so young, these young people have their clients viewing them as peers rather than professionals, smudging boundaries. Their work consumes them to the point that they find it difficult to “not be a social worker” even with family and friends.
In addition to their practical work, students have their studies and assignments to complete.
“Sometimes I just want to cry as I sit writing my essays,” said one student, “There is just too much work.”
It feels great—perhaps even fantastic—to have come full circle and reconnect with some of our roots!
How does this make you feel?
Once everyone had an opportunity to offload and they had no more words, Matthew asked: “How does all of this make you feel?” He waved his hand over the very full flip chart pages.
“Relieved.” “Seen and heard.” “Validated.” “Recognised.” “Hopeful.” “Eager and motivated”. “Not alone.”
These were not the words we had expected. Normally we get a list of mainly negative emotions but in this case the simple opportunity to share their challenges had made them feel better.
There were the negative emotions too: Angry, sad, depressed, anxious, traumatised, concerned and worried, but all in all they felt acknowledged.
There was more that we did with them but this exercise really hit home and provided a soft landing for a group of diligent, hard working young people. The opportunity to express their concerns and to be listened to without judgement made a real difference for them. For us it reinforced the value and impact of the simplicity of sharing in a safe space.
Then, circa the latter part of 2019…
…and now.
A very big circle
Once the morning was complete, Astonishment expressed his desire that we do more with him and the social workers in the schools.
“If the Department (of Education) gets hold of you they will want all of you,” he chuckled.
“Oh bring it on,” smiled Matthew, “That is what we want. That is why we started doing this work in the first place. That is our dream.”
We really had cycled back to where we started. The journey on that very big circle had offered us an opportunity to relook at what we do and make it more palatable. It allowed us to develop an offering that was more upcycled buggy than jet engine. Something that people could relate to and understand. Clearer, cleaner, softer, simpler.
The jet engine is still there. We used it with this group. It provided a sense of relief not experienced by them before. This piece of magic is now encased within the Emotional Fitness buggy. No need to understand it, no need to pick it apart. Just an opportunity to experience it and feel better now.
Until next time.
Yours in feeling,
Matthew & Chantal
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About the author
5th Place
5th Place is a dynamic organization that's passionate about emotional fitness. We're the creators of Shape of Emotion, a revolutionary tool that's changing the way we understand and manage our emotions. But we're not just about theory - we're about practical, tangible change.
We offer Emotional Fitness Classes and courses that help individuals, from children to adults, build emotional resilience and well-being. For our younger audience, we've created the Vibarealm, a vibrant universe that encourages a healthier interaction with emotions.
Join us on this journey to emotional fitness and let's make the world a better place together.