For social worker Luntukazi Kuse, the pain came early in her life but it didn’t break her – it ignited something stronger. Her parents’ divorce, her husband’s death at a young age, and family conflicts left deep scars, but they also sparked a passion for helping others while healing herself.
Kuse turned her heartache into a mission, proving that even in the toughest times, purpose can be found, and healing is possible.
Born and raised in Indwana Location, Cala, Eastern Cape, Kuse was brought up by her mother, Nomathembiso Voyi-Kuse. Due to her mother’s work as a teacher, Kuse moved to several towns in the Eastern Cape, attending school in Ngqamakhwe before joining her mother in Mqanduli, where she completed her matric.
A journey of purpose
At 21, Kuse married and became a housewife, living in Durban due to her husband’s work. During this time, she had a son. After 14 years, she decided to return to education, enrolling at Fort Hare University in Alice in the Eastern Cape to pursue a BA in social work.
“My friend, Sibonisile Zibane, played a vital role in me going back to school.”
Kuse adds, “She would take me with her to her talks as a social worker, where she saw my focus and determination and encouraged me to pursue it professionally.”
Her mother had also encouraged her to return to school for years. When she left KwaZulu-Natal to study at Fort Hare University, her son was just about to turn 12.
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Hungry for education
Kuse tells Health for Mzansi that during her 14 years as a housewife, she fought hard to pursue her dream of returning to school.
“He [husband] would always find excuses like the child is still young, and so on.”
Luntukazi Kuse
She says she would give him her applications, only to later realise they never even made it to the post office.
For Kuse, getting into university was a struggle. She remembers being accepted, though not specifically for social work, but into the same faculty of social sciences under a bachelor of communications programme.
“The tricky part was that the faculty didn’t have a sponsor. I needed one to continue my studies,” she explains.
She remembers travelling from Mqanduli to Bisho, trying to explain her situation. “I would get all sorts of confusing explanations. I was frustrated, hungry for self-development and education.”
Eventually, Kuse found a sponsor, reaching out to people who could help, including the late minister of social development, Dr Zola Skweyiya.
She started her studies in the second semester and never looked back, earning her BA in social work in 2012.
Working through trauma
In May 2012, Kuse lost her husband of 16 years to natural causes.
“My husband was diabetic and drank heavily,” she explains. “But my in-laws accused me of bewitching him. I wasn’t even allowed to attend his funeral.”
The accusations caused deep pain. “Even in his last days, I wasn’t allowed to see him in hospital.”
After his passing, Kuse says her son struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, which became evident while he was at university. “He saw, heard, and experienced everything,” she explains.
A purpose in helping others
For the past eight years, Kuse has worked with social development in Queenstown specialising in areas such as HIV counselling, supporting people with special needs, social services health, and working with people living with disabilities.
“I’ve learned through my journey that people face challenges in many forms – whether health, social, or financial. No challenge is less important; they all affect people in different ways.”
She adds that her work has made her more empathetic. “I put myself in their situations and find solutions to help them.”
For anyone wanting to become a social worker, Kuse advises that it’s important to be selfless and understand the needs of the people you’re working with.
“Confidentiality is key, because the people you work with trust you with their challenges,” she says.
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