Silindile Mbhele

I am a twenty-three-year-old aspiring Criminologist. I go by the name Silindile Sibonokuhle Mbhele and was born on the 15th of September 1997. I am a young lady who is very passionate about the criminal justice system whose long-term goal is to be a Forensic Psychologist. In working within this discipline, I feel I can make a substantial contribution as it is a field that has not been explored enough in the South African context.

I live in Gamalakhe, a township in Port Shepstone, Kwa-Zulu Natal. I started my foundation phase of schooling at the local school known as Sethembinkosi Junior Primary School. Afterward, my parents moved me to an English-medium school – Port Shepstone Senior Primary – where I completed my primary schooling. My most valuable school experiences were not academic in nature. Instead, they all revolved around people, social skills, gratitude, respect, self-worth, and empathy. I attended high school at Port Shepstone High School and matriculated in the year 2014. After high school, I enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, where I studied a Bachelor of Social Science Degree and majored in Psychology and Criminology and Forensic Studies.

At university, I gained more insights into my own attributes. My personal growth and learning here centered around the themes of independence, self-motivation, never giving up, and always believing in yourself. It was only during my second year of study that I developed a deep interest in the two modules I was doing. During this time, I also developed a fervent drive for helping and bringing healing to people. I am privileged to have been introduced to IEESHER as I have learned that working with them will bring me closer to fulfilling my desire to help, heal, and empower the citizens of South Africa. 

Contrary to my name, which means “we are waiting”, working with IEESHER will allow me to take charge and bring forth a tangible constructive change in our current society. Having studied psychology as one of my majors, I have obtained an understanding of how people think and behave. I will use this knowledge to my advantage when addressing social issues. The platform that IEESHER has given me will allow me to broaden my perspective of society and reach several communities in need. My theoretical skills will then be used in practical settings. The goal is to be a pracademic, which will enable me to physically implement policies of change that IEESHER helps to bring forward.