Wickland Westcott

Thanduxolo Mngomezulu: Kwa-Zulu psychologist

Ingwavuma is a remote, impoverished rural area in KwaZulu Natal Province in South Africa, bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. Zisize works with orphans and vulnerable children to give them holistic support which will enable them to access and derive maximum benefit from education and to reach their potential in life.

The work of Zisize's psychologist, Thanduxolo Mngomezulu bears little resemblance to that of his counterparts in the UK. How many psychologists in the UK would hitch hike 50km, sleep two nights on the floor of a hall with no water and only an outdoor long drop toilet, in order to spend full days conducting IQ tests for children who were exhibiting learning difficulties? Thanduxolo has done this many times.

His professional workload encompasses both educational and clinical assessments and interventions, but in addition he heads up the psycho-social team at Zisize. He has managerial responsibility for a social worker, auxiliary social worker, a volunteer nurse, 7 mentors, 6 life skills facilitators and a memory box worker. In a community where the HIV infection rate is 37%, there is a high incidence of orphaned children and sadly a consequential high level of abuse, as children taken in by extended family are often treated as slaves and are subjected to physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse. Zisize's range of psycho-social programmes protects and supports the vulnerable; provides therapeutic interventions which address negative experiences and promote self confidence and self esteem; provides caring adults (foster carers and mentors) who give practical as well as emotional support. Camps for groups of 40 OVC (orphans and vulnerable children) are held four times a year where as well as fun activities, children have access to group therapy sessions.

Thanduxolo is also responsible for having created twice yearly Career Expos which have injected a ray of hope into the lives of high school pupils. This has translated into improved exam results for the 12000 students who attended last year. Zisize has started a bursary scheme to enable those who achieve good enough grades to attend university.

He is a wonderful advocate for Zisize, a skilled negotiator and conciliator and well respected in the community. He is called upon by the Court, police and hospital to give his professional help in many cases. Zisize appreciates Wickland Westcott's support of both Thanduxolo and Zisize.

Download December 2011 pdf Newletter - Ingwavuma News

More information about Zisize can be found at www.zisize.org and www.zisize.org.uk.