University of Pretoria (UP) graduate Mbongiseni Mngomezulu is one of the UP affiliates to be recognised in the 2024 Mail & Guardian’s (M&G) 200 Young South Africans list.

The 29-year-old, who is a social worker at the Mpumalanga Department of Social Development, was honoured in the Health & Wellness category. His work on the victim empowerment programme has seen him assist people who have been the targets of crime and violence, through therapeutic counselling, referring individuals to shelters, mediating in cases of family violence and linking victims of gender-based violence with economic empowerment initiatives.

“Being part of the M&G 200 Young South Africans list has been a fulfilling and inspirational experience for me,” says Mngomezulu, who obtained a Bachelor in Social Work in 2018 from UP. “This recognition will serve as a constant reminder of the hard work that it takes to bring about social change in the lives of the most vulnerable. It will also motivate me to achieve more success in the future.”

Mngomezulu notes that he has an innate desire to be of service to others.

“As a social worker, I am a vehicle of social change,” he says. “I promote problem-solving, social cohesion, empowerment and the liberation of the most vulnerable, marginalised and alienated individuals, families, groups and communities. I am always determined to make a meaningful, sustainable contribution when addressing socio-economic challenges within communities. Being a mobiliser, mediator and social protector has been a fulfilling experience.”

He explains that his eagerness to ensure the safety and well-being of community members stems from having grown up in an environment underpinned by many socio-economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, crime, and a high prevalence of gender-based violence and femicide. 

For Mngomezulu, working with communities provides him with an opportunity to be a source of inspiration to young people. However, he admits that working with community-related issues has meant that he has been witness to disturbing cases of rape, suicide, murder and domestic violence, among others, all of which can be traumatic, even to trained professionals. 

But he asserts that he is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of those who are vulnerable.

“I have always been inspired to enhance positive change in communities,” he says.