Mbongiseni Mngomezulu of Standerton makes his profession proud
More than 30 users have been admitted to various treatment centres to date such as Nkangala In-patient Treatment Centre, Mpumalanga Addiction Rehabilitation Centre and Swartfontein Treatment Centre.
The African Social Network awarded Mbongiseni Mngomezulu of Standerton as social worker of the year for 2023.
The network is an organisation that creates and disseminates information and resources to facilitate social work and development on the African continent.
Mngomezulu received the award during the African Day Indaba on May 25. This employee of the Department of Social Development is no stranger to appreciative gestures.
The Mpumalanga MEC of the department, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, applauded his selfless dedication and commitment to his work on April 25.
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The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit of SAPS in Standerton wrote a letter to him on August 1 last year and commended characteristics such as professionalism and promptness with regard to the submission of victim impact reports.
He was also the trailblazer of the year in 2022, awarded by the National Youth Development Agency.
Mngomezulu has been busy since 2020 in a partnership with the Department of Education to form programmes aimed at educating learners about substance abuse.
More than 30 users have been admitted to various treatment centres to date such as Nkangala In-patient Treatment Centre, Mpumalanga Addiction Rehabilitation Centre and Swartfontein Treatment Centre.
“All the recovered substance abusers were successfully reintegrated back into their families and part of the quarterly group sessions,” he said.
All work and no play? Mngomezulu’s leisure activities are predominantly sports-related. He is part of the football team of SAPS Standerton and competes at the local and provincial levels.
The team was crowned champions in Mpumalanga at Kinross Sports Ground in February.
“I also enjoy travelling to soccer stadiums across the country to watch PSL matches,” he said.
Several individuals were singled out for their contribution towards his professional development, namely programme coordinators at the district level, the social work manager at Lekwa sub-district office, supervisors, the restorative team and all his colleagues.
Mngomezulu freely admitted to always wanting to learn relevant and favourable qualities to assist in working competently and efficiently.
By all accounts, he is goal-driven to deliver and achieve the set aspirations.
