Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo: The Unsung Heroine in South Africa
By Natalie Nyathi
According to studies, the lifetime prevalence of any mental disorder in South Africa was found to be 30.3%, with anxiety disorders being the most prevalent at 15.8%. Substance use disorders followed at 13.3%, and mood disorders at 9.8%. Another report by EAPA-South Africa in 2023 stated that about 25.7% of South Africans are likely depressed, with more than a quarter of respondents reporting moderate to severe symptoms of depression.
Due to the rise in violent crimes committed by children, severe bullying incidents in schools, and increasing rates of teenage pregnancies and violence against women and girls, the South African-based Zimbabwean dedicated herself to improving mental health and psychosocial well-being by developing culturally sensitive interventions that resonate with the unique needs of diverse communities.
In 2015, Ncazelo founded PHOLA, a non-profit organization focused on providing culturally sensitive mental health services to those affected by trauma, violence, and abuse. The organization’s mission is to promote healthy emotional development, offer mobile mental health and trauma counseling to women and children in schools and communities, and train mental health professionals using indigenous knowledge and practices.
“I run PHOLA, a non-profit organization in South Africa that is growing rapidly, now with over 60 employees. I manage and direct the organization. I am responsible for fundraising and training staff in methodologies because I have developed these interventions. On the side, I run international training, training psychologists, social workers, mental health practitioners, and psychotherapists on how to use the methodologies I have created.”
The organization’s work has had a transformative impact on communities facing severe deprivation and trauma. PHOLA also operates a respite home for women and children experiencing abuse. Many individuals, especially women and children, experience significant abuse and violations of their rights, leading to negative self-images, feelings of shame and isolation, and barriers to reaching their potential.
Often, those affected encounter trauma treatments that don’t align with their cultural beliefs, complicating their healing process. However, PHOLA focuses on people-centered counseling, valuing the insights and abilities of trauma survivors, and collaborates with families and communities to develop effective therapeutic practices.
PHOLA seeks to tackle the underlying issues of trauma, enhance mental health and emotional resilience, support individuals in developing positive identities and healthy mindsets, and improve overall personal and social outcomes for those affected through culturally relevant interventions. PHOLA empowers individuals to reclaim their stories and pursue fulfilling lives.
There is a need for more community-based initiatives, as they are vital for building stronger, more resilient communities. They foster a sense of ownership, promote social cohesion, and enable local solutions to address specific needs. By empowering residents and leveraging local knowledge, these initiatives contribute to sustainable development, increased civic engagement, and improved quality of life.
In that context, Ncazelo further developed another methodology called COURAGE. It was inspired by six women from Diepsloot, South Africa.
“I developed the COURAGE project after working with six women from Diepsloot. I learned about their challenges as single mothers and as women who have struggled in their relationships with their partners. Some had experienced abuse and violence. These women said to me, ‘You know, Ncazelo, we have gone through a lot of hardships and pain, but we keep going because we are women who have courage. We have learned to be courageous from our grandmothers, mothers, and other women who have gone before us. That is where we get our courage. We wake up in the morning and smile as if everything is okay because we don’t want to attract pity. We don’t want our children to see our pain, and we keep going because we are women with courage.’
The women’s stories inspired the development of what is now called the COURAGE methodology. I took their teachings and thought about how to bring women together so that, as much as we talk about their grief, pain, sorrows, and suffering, we are also acknowledging and honoring stories of courage, survival, and overcoming despite the odds.
Today, COURAGE is being used in the US, Canada, Kenya, and I have trained people from all parts of the world. It all comes from humble beginnings and inspiration from six amazing women,” she said.
Ncazelo emphasizes the importance of community and having a strong support system, as healing is rooted in the community.
“Healing is in community, and we need to build communities of support. We need to build a village, care for each other, and reach out to one another. As Mandela said, ‘It’s in our hands; healing is in our hands; it’s in our communities.'”
