Lightning

South Africa

I’m 32 years old, I have 4 siblings, 2 sisters and 2 brothers. I was born and raised in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal. By nature, I am an outgoing person who is full of life. I enjoy the outdoors and being surrounded by people. I grew up in a family that didn’t allow us as young people and especially as young women to have a voice. As a result I found myself married at a young age and experiencing abuse. This pushed me to become a fighter, first for myself and then for others who found themselves in similar situations. I want to bring back to women the voice they were told to give up.

I am a therapist, counselor, researcher and activist.  I recently was awarded my Masters degree and my dissertation focused on interventions to manage PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The study grew out of my work in health and wellness since 2005, both volunteering and salaried work with HIV service delivery NGOs, team-leading wellness events and managing natural health stores.

I chose a natural health vocation expressed through different channels because I deeply believe that in order to have a productive South Africa, people must seek good health and healthy choices, and that entails a healthy body, mind and soul. As a health practitioner, I know healers must be balanced, open minded, passionate and committed themselves to succeed – traits that I feel are the foundation of my being.