This overview attempts to present useful key ideas necessary for the development of a community animation model in language that is clear and empowering in such a way that it emphases the application of Know-How. The structure as presented here draws together experiences from using the following models in an African context: Isivivane for Change and Transformation (Banhegyi 2001-2007) Isivivane . Additionally, the model draws inspiration from models developed by Walsh & Ungson (1991), Collison & Parcell (1998), Nonake & Takeuchi (1995) in that it emphasises the cultural context, group dynamics and linkages between participants. The approach stimulates a community into action and provides a basic know-how useful in the design and support of a sustainable system and guides a user through that which needs to be done in order to attain success. Essentially the model requires leadership in that someone needs to take the initiative, assume permission, ask the questions and implement the following steps.

• Identify the Issues – What issues and problems does the community face? Have there been previous efforts to engage the issues? What have been the successes, failures?

• Identify the Community – what are the characteristics of the community? What signs, symbols, metaphors, languageing, physical space, stories etc. can be said to bind the community together? Who are the formal and informal leaders and opinion makers in the community? Who are the stakeholders? Who is interested in seeing what is happening? It is important to remember that the community or audience is imagined but that this construct is vitally important in the way in which you interract with the community.
• Research – Does this issue exist elsewhere? How has it been addressed elsewhere? With what success? What stories can be told – both literal and allegorical. What partnership possibilities exist here? If the project is in the area of development, you should consider creating a partnership with private business, government, civil society and academia where a wealth of experience and knowledge resides. Proper research ensures that the wheel is not re-invented in different places, but rather replicated.
• Bring community together – Create an event, a point of contact that brings key role players together at the same time.
• Build Vision – This involves a conversation around what people want to see being created. It is important that the conversation: a) Take place in the context of a safe (ritual) space (using principles of Lekgotla) b) Involve all key decision makers c) create outcomes that have the support and full commitment of leadership
• Design sustainable system(s) – design development/business plan, rules, roles, organisation and responsibilities in such a way that they require relatively little management, maintenance and oversight but stimulates regular programmed action (work) by participants. The system design should engage concepts such as goals, outputs, responsibilities, structure, issues, measures and verifiable indicators of success. A useful paradigm for this kind of design can make use of Logical Framework Analysis (LFA)
• Obtain buy-in / Perform the ritual – The concept of ritual is well understood in Africa but is more mysterious to Westerners. It is understood among facilitators that ritual performance – or edutainment which involves the community as participant/observers – is vital to getting buy-in to a process. Ritual has the quality of being able to create a strong shared memory of a decision and commitment to some outcome. Often it is the omission of ritual performance that is correlated with lack of buy-in and commitment.
• Develop Organising Metaphors, Feedback Loops, Stories / On-going feedback around project status and success – Stakeholders and project participants need to receive regular feedback around project progress, direction and control. This effectively serves to motivate people and keep the project top-of-mind. Successful implementation reies on community participation, therefore sustained outreach and marketing to the community is imperative.