PHOTO: DUSCHANKA HITZEROTH
COUNSELLING addicts by day and tucking her boys into bed by night.
The new SANCA Zululand Director Shireen Sahadev takes pleasure in having her hands full.
‘Making a difference motivates me. I wake up every morning fully aware of the problems our society faces with substance abuse and I feel compelled to help,’ she said.
‘I thrive on being able to give people a reason to smile and to help them realise how great life is without having to depend on alcohol or drugs,’
‘I counsel and impart knowledge with patients in the hopes of them breaking their addiction and building their confidence,’ said Shireen.
The tranquil beauty, originally from Amatikhulu, has been living in Empangeni for 19 years.
Holding a BA degree in Social Work from the University of Durban Westville, the soothingly compassionate 41-year-old has been married to her childhood sweetheart for 15 years and have two sons.
Raised in a close-knit family of five, Shireen lost her mother to cancer in 2012.
‘I come from a family where my mother was the pillar of strength. She was calm, collected and able to find a solution to any problem and bring about peace,’ said Shireen.
‘She’s my role model. We were not born with silver spoons in our mouths, but my parents always went above and beyond the call of duty to dedicate their lives investing in our education,’ she said.
The apple, however, doesn’t seem to fall far from the tree.
This dedicated mother loves doing nothing else besides work and spending time with her boys.
‘My sons are 11 and seven and they are by far the greatest kids I know. Every opportunity I have, I spend with them,’
‘I actually feel guilty doing anything without them,’ she laughed.
‘My kids are my escape. We play cricket together and have the odd swim, but we are big cricket fans and don’t watch unless SA is playing,’ she said.
Not only a loyal Protea supporter, Shireen is also a self-confessed Grey’s Anatomy devotee.
‘I love Greys, it’s all I watch,’ she said.
To unwind and enjoy some well deserved R&R she enjoys reading magazines and watching movies.
‘My all time favourite has got to be Julia Roberts in Pretty Women,’ she said.
Shirene’s lifelong dream is to travel to India.
‘It would be so amazing to just be in touch with my roots, explore the beautiful country, and immerse myself in its rich culture. I would be in my element,’ she said.
