Local NPO director nominated for Women Changing the World Awards
Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo explained that mental health in South Africa needs to be elevated, and they would like to have more commitment, and funding, from the government
Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo, director of Ferndale-based psychosocial and mental health non-profit organisation, Phola, and a world-renowned narrative therapist and psychosocial specialist, has been nominated for the prestigious Women Changing the World Awards.
With over 20 years of experience in trauma counselling, she has worked with children, youth, women, families, and communities, supporting people to overcome the mental health effects of HIV/AIDS, trauma, poverty, hardship, and gender-based violence.
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She has been selected for two categories: the People’s Choice Award for Non-profit and Social Enterprise, and the Women in Therapy and Counselling Services Award.
This recognition celebrates her groundbreaking work in mental health, her development of Afrocentric, culturally sensitive, narrative-based methodologies, and her dedication to empowering communities worldwide.
Ncube-Mlilo explained she feels very excited and honoured being nominated. “I know my work has reach many people all over the world. I feel extremely excited. I have been doing this work for 20 years. I don’t even know who nominated me, but I am happy the world is seeing the impact and the contribution.”
She further stated that the awards are an important initiative, and a rare opportunity to celebrate women who are doing great things around the world.
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Ncube-Mlilo co-created the Tree of Life (TOL) approach, empowering individuals to reconnect with their strengths, hopes, and relationships. She also developed methodologies like COURRAGE and OUTTRAGED for gender-based violence prevention.
Her work has a large global footprint. She trains over 1 000 mental health practitioners annually, and has reached an estimated 100 000 people worldwide. Her flagship TOL work has reached millions of people.
Her methodologies are currently used in countries where people are experiencing crises, such as Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and others. Phola reaches over 15 000 people annually.
The awards ceremony will take place during the summit in London. Ncube-Mlilo hopes that this recognition will help grow their work, and attract more funding for Phola.
“It would be fantastic to be in all provinces in the country. Mental health is important in the times that we are in. With the challenges of unemployment, crime, poverty, and more, our communities need mental health services.”
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