Steel and sunshine; That’s the recipe that shaped Thabisile Vilakazi. From the bustling streets of Soweto in Gauteng to the working-class grind of Ermelo in Mpumalanga, Vilakazi’s childhood wasn’t exactly picture-perfect.
Yet, instead of shying away from the challenges, she saw them as fuel. The raw energy of the city and the resilience of these communities sparked a passion for social justice within her. This passion burned bright, leading her straight to a path in social work matriculating.
Making an impact from an early age
Vilakazi tells Health for Mzansi that she has always been keen on helping others and making a positive impact on people’s lives. During her high school days, she recalls the opportunity to volunteer at a local shelter for abused women and children.
“That experience really opened my eyes to the importance of social work,” she says, “and it made me realise that I wanted to pursue this career path.”
Vilakazi earned a bachelor of social work from the University of Johannesburg in 2013, and a master’s in occupational social work from Wits University in 2022.
She feels that everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and cared for. Her social work job allows her to make a difference in people’s lives every day.
“What I enjoy most about being a social worker is the ability to help people through difficult times in their lives,” she explains.
She adds that it’s rewarding to know she is making a difference, even if it’s just a small one. “I also enjoy the challenge of problem-solving and finding creative solutions to complex issues.”
Focusing on mental health
City life isn’t all glitter and glamour, Vilakazi says. Growing up in the city, she witnessed a spectrum of experiences – the good, the best, and the ugly realities.
A childhood fascination with biology and science initially drew her towards nursing. However, her interests shifted with time.
“As time went by, I realised I was much more interested in the psychosocial aspects of health and well-being.”
She explains, “This led me to pursue a career in social work. It allows me to combine my passion for helping people with my interest in psychology and sociology.”
Vilakazi has had personal experiences with mental health issues and substance use disorders within her community and among her friends.
“I’ve seen firsthand how these struggles impact people’s lives and the difficulty of accessing the help and support they need,” she says.
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Dealing with critical community issues
“Growing up, drugs and alcohol abuse were prevalent in my community,” she says.
Vilakazi identifies poverty, teen pregnancy, and domestic violence as the most critical social issues. These challenges often led to a rise in substance use disorders, depression, and suicide.
Unfortunately, social workers specialising in these areas were limited in her community, she affirms, and this has driven her career path.
“This is why I’m so passionate about working in this field and advocating for those affected by these issues.”
Living her dream
Vilakazi is a successful and dedicated occupational social worker and employee assistance practitioner at Incon Health Clinics. However, she emphasises that providing high-quality care and support to her clients is what truly fulfils her.
Social work, she explains, is a constantly evolving field. There are always new things to learn and new ways to help people, which keeps the job interesting and exciting. Challenges, of course, are also a daily part of the profession.
“Having a strong support system, both professionally and personally, is crucial,” Vilakazi states. “As a social worker, you’ll inevitably encounter difficult situations and challenging cases.”
A support system outside of work, whether it’s friends, family, or a therapist, is equally important, notes Vilakazi.
She advises that taking time for yourself to relax and recharge is essential, as it allows you to maintain your well-being and continue doing your job effectively.
Vilakazi currently works on a community-based project focused on improving access to mental health services for low-income families. This project involves collaboration with local agencies and organizations to create a strong support network for these families, she explains.
“We’re also developing a toolkit to help families access the resources they need.”
She brims with excitement about the potential impact of this project, envisioning the positive changes it will bring to low-income families.
Despite the challenges, Vilakazi affirms that she’s exactly where she envisioned herself. She remains committed to serving her community with love, care, and respect.
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