Senele Mdluli (Swaziland, WK 01-04)
What years did you attend
Waterford Kamhlaba? (What forms/year group?)
I attended Waterford from 2001 until
2004, Form 2 until Form 5.
Please tell us what you have
done or are doing at the moment? (e.g.. what you studied and what field you are
currently working in)
I hold
a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. I currently work as a lecturer at
Swaziland Christian University, I run a part-time practice as a therapist and I
have also recently founded (with three other women) an organization called
Kushamiri Human Capital and Wellness, which aims to provide comprehensive
psychological and human capital services by integrating various spheres of
psychology.
Could you tell us what
inspired you to pursue your career path.
From
as far back as I was at Waterford, I have always wanted to become a
Psychologist. It was, and probably in some ways in Swaziland still is a novel
profession. But I think, judging from the perception of what I saw on TV and
what it looked like the people were doing, it seemed like such a caring,
helping others, filled with wisdom kind of job, and I think that appealed to
me. Not that I have achieved all those qualities fully myself, but those are
certainly characteristics that are worth admiring and thriving towards. I think
I made the right choice because I find my work very internally rewarding.
Did Waterford in any way play
a role in your career path choice?
Yes
a.
If yes: then what has that
role been.
I
think being at WK opened me up to the fact that there was so much diversity in
the world, so many ways of being and existing, and that I need not follow a
path of a “typical” or more well known (at the time) profession. It made me
bolder about my convictions. Certainly also, my interests in psychology have
been partially influenced by my WK.. I use my work for social justice,
increasing access to mental health care and challenging power and inequality in
society (my academic interests are centred around Africanizing Psychology,
feminist psychology and community interventions), so I can definitely see a UWC
values streak there!
What advice would you have for
aspiring students who would want to be involved in
similar areas of expertise?
I would encourage them to be prepared to go to school for
a long time. (It took me 7 years of training to become a psychologist), so
patience matters. On the plus side, 7 years does not feel that long when you
are studying what you actually enjoy. I’d encourage them to also start reading
up on the various different specializations within psychology so that they
identify their potential area of interest. Psychology is such a broad
profession and having people who diversify their interests and hopefully some
of them come back to work in Swaziland will certainly enhance and enrich our
field.
Do you have any fond memories of Waterford? Could you possibly share one with us and could we also ask you to send us one or two pictures of your time at WK?
Unfortunately it has been such a long time so I don’t
have any pictures I can access immediately.
In terms of fond memories, I am very grateful for the
long friendships I formed at WK. I met my best friend in Form 2, back in 2001
at WK and she has never stopped being by my side ever since. Thank you WK for
that gift of a beautiful friendship.
It used to be fun sitting outside the tuck-shop during
break or after school and hustling for a Jelly Blaster (that was an ice lolly
that was a hit back in the early 00s) and of course, the socials were fun!
- Most embarrassing moment at Waterford?
Coming down the steps from esiveni common room and falling bum first on to the steps and sliding down during lunch at the peak of busy is probably about as embarrassing as it got for me.
- WK crush?
No comment! LOL All I can say is new year, new people, new crush!
- What’s your favorite ’90s jam?
TLC – No Scrubs
- Who was in your WK #squad (friend group)?
Nontokozo Lanwenya, Mangaliso Mohamed, Nontie Vilakazi (May she rest in
power), Xoliswa Ndzimandze
- Favourite teacher/Most hilarious teacher?
Everywhere
I go, my heart still has a soft spot for Mrs. Donkoh, BOC and Mrs. Earnshaw.
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