Personal experience inspires social worker
The Newcastle Advertiser had the opportunity to speak to Makhubu and get to know the face behind the name.
Gugu Makhubu is passionate about addressing the social ills in the community and improving the lives of people, both emotionally and mentally.
It is for this reason she became a social worker and has been employed at the Newcastle Crisis Centre for the past two years.
The Newcastle Advertiser had the opportunity to speak to Makhubu and get to know the face behind the name.
Why did you choose the social development industry?
The profession hits home for me, because I have relatives who had mental illnesses. It always interested me to find out how people function and why they behave in a certain way.
What tertiary qualifications did you acquire to be employed in this field?
I majored in psychology at university level and went on to fill a position of student advisor, at a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) in Pretoria, before joining the Newcastle Crisis Centre.
How has your personality suited your profession?
I was not always confident, but now I’m a talker. I enjoy working with people and helping them deal with their issues.
Why do you think it is important for people to seek psychological assistance?
I encourage people to talk about their issues. I urge victims of abuse to share their stories, their testimonies of resilience and overcoming their challenges.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Understanding different personalities and treating each individual and issue independently is important. It is difficult to get people to confide in you but once you earn their trust it is invaluable. In my line of work, it is important to know that it is not about me and the focus is on the victim and how I can help them.
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