Family unity and support are the pillars that ensure no one feels alone. KwaZulu-Natal psychologist Dr Portia Monnapula-Mazabane’s incredible journey – losing her mother at a young age, rebuilding her career, and emerging stronger – shines as a beacon of hope.
When her mother passed away, Monnapula-Mazabane was just eigh years old, and her father, Rogers Monnapula, played both parental roles throughout her life. She tells Health For Mzansi that after her mother’s death, her loved ones experienced a lot of grief and trauma.
“My uncle, who was my mother’s only sibling, struggled emotionally with this terrible experience and as a result, he psychologically disintegrated.”
Dr Portia Monnapula-Mazabane
Discovering a need for mental health support
Monnapula-Mazabane explains that witnessing these challenges among family and friends highlighted the need for psychological support.
Growing up in a close-knit community, she also saw how mental health issues were often misunderstood and stigmatised. This personal experience ignited a deep desire within her to understand the human mind and to help others navigate their mental health struggles with compassion and knowledge.
A truly supportive family makes all the difference, and according to Monnapula-Mazabane, her father exemplified this throughout their journey. He raised them by fostering open communication while building them up through routine and discipline.
“He built a home founded on love, care, empathy, and respect for us and others.”
Monnapula-Mazabane, along with her five older siblings and twin, grew up in harmony and received unconditional love, though two of her siblings have since passed away.
She says that throughout this journey, she learned that family support means unity in strength, and when someone is grieving, strength and unity from the community serve as reminders that they are not alone.
Discovering a fulfilling career path
After passing matric, she pursued numerous qualifications, including a certificate in project management, a degree in social sciences, an honours degree in management and development, a master’s degree in management and development, an honours degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
It led to her working as a transformational manager in one of the leading private companies in South Africa.
She explained that during a career path discussion with her manager at the time, Rose Nkosi, she realised that despite having a master’s degree and experience in management, she was not fulfilled. She always desired to be a clinical psychologist.
“She asked me a life-changing question: ‘What is stopping you now?’ Driving back home, I couldn’t find a valid reason for what was stopping me.”
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Juggling academia and parenthood
Monnapula-Mazabane took a bold step – she resigned from her career in management and pursued her honours, master’s, and doctorate in psychology.
“Deciding to return to school and study what I always desired wasn’t easy, especially while trying to build a family.”
At that time, she was juggling her roles as a wife and mother.
“Balancing family responsibilities with academic demands required immense dedication, but my perseverance and the unconditional support of my loved ones helped me overcome these challenges.”
During her master’s studies, Monnapula-Mazabane had the chance to be an exchange student at Amsterdam Vrije University for a month. “At that time, my twin sister provided remarkable support, stepping in to care for my children and assist wherever possible.”
She adds, “My husband took on both parental roles, becoming both a father and mother to our children, and he remains my number one cheerleader to this day.”
This strong support system has been crucial in helping her balance her professional and personal responsibilities effectively.
A commitment to accessible mental health care
Monnapula-Mazabane began her career as a psychologist in 2015. After completing her internship and community service, she opened her private practice, Monnapula-Mazabane Psychological Service in Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal.
She says nothing is too late when you still feel that void.
“Follow your dream, be intentional, and stay committed. You will get tired and discouraged at times, but it’s essential to stay the course.”
She emphasises her commitment to mental health, saying, “I use social media platforms to educate and bring awareness about mental health to a broader audience.”
Monnapula-Mazabane is working on initiatives to provide resources and assistance to make mental health support accessible to everyone.
“It is heartbreaking to hear about the struggles of those who cannot afford private healthcare. My goal is to continue advocating for mental health awareness and support, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need.”
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