“The social work profession resonates well with my passion of being a change agent,” says Dr Nontembeko Bila, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Criminology. Dr Bila tells Tukkievaria how she accepts the fact that life challenges should not paralyse us but should help us to discover who we are.

Can you share your career journey?

My career started in 1994 at Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. I was employed as a social worker at the Cape Provincial Administration. In October 1994, I started working for the Limpopo Department of Social Development. I relocated to Limpopo as I got married in 1994. I enjoyed working with older people and established a day care centre for the aged. I also established an association of early development centres. I am proud to say that I left a legacy for my colleagues. I moved to Pretoria in 2006, where I worked for the Gauteng Department of Social Development. Wherever I have worked, I have wanted to make an impact, and in that role I established a wellness forum for workers, roping in a team that continued to work when I left the position. 

My change of my trajectory occurred in 2009 when I joined academia. I was employed as a lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand. Unfortunately, in 2010 I had a fall at work, which resulted in a terrible fracture that incapacitated me for three months. Commuting between Johannesburg and Pretoria was challenging after the accident and so I looked for employment closer to Pretoria. In 2010, I applied for a lecturer post at the University of Pretoria and have not looked back. I find stability and career growth at the University of Pretoria and have learnt a lot from the Department of Social Work and Criminology. The Department’s ethos resonates well with my work ethic.

Why did you choose social work instead of other fields?

The social work profession resonates well with my passion of being a change agent. Social workers relieve people who are vulnerable and unable to cope with the vicissitudes of life, fight for social justice and improve lives of communities. These tenets have fit perfectly with my interest and passion. Moreover, the primary mission of social work is to enhance wellbeing and help meet basic and complex needs of people, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty. Based on my childhood experience, I vowed that I would be a voice and help to those who are less fortunate. The social work profession is a vehicle that has made me relevant to the people who are in need.

What has been the source of your inspiration?

Giving hope to people who feel like they have reached a cul-de-sac in their lives, and being able to give to people without expecting anything in return. I give with the goal of showing compassion, doing something for others and helping them. I feel inspired when I see change in their lives and hope back in their eyes.

You were called ‘abantwana ba maqaba’ (children of the illiterates). How did you overcome such stigma; and go on to pass grade 12?

I should acknowledge that assertion was engraved in my heart for some time. However, being a resilient child with a dream, I accepted the fact that my parents were not educated. Nonetheless, I vowed that I would change the landscape for my family and so I studied extremely hard to effect this change.

How does your life experience help you in your work and in mentoring young people? 

My childhood experience serves as a motivator to young or old girls who are coming from less fortunate or low socio-economic backgrounds. In most instances, when I have established a rapport with the client I disclose to them how I grew up; which alone helps the person to have hope that their situation will one day change. Mentorship is generally a learning process that is helpful and personal, and reciprocal relations are built between the mentee and mentors. Currently, I work as a social work lecturer, and am responsible for teaching mental health and disability to the undergraduate and post-graduate students.

What are you views about transformation in the workplace?

Transformation in the workplace happens culturally and digitally and therefore, three important drivers that should fast track it include engagement, collaboration, and optimisation. Furthermore, people, space and technology are levers that create change. 

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind when you retire?

I would like to create a platform where I am able to transfer skills to the younger colleagues. For example, through collaboration in research projects, I will be coaching, mentoring, and transferring research skills. Another platform is to collaborate in the writing of articles, book chapters and books.

How do you unwind?

I am a very spiritual person. I find my solace when I listen to gospel music, read the Bible and pray. Before the COVID-19 pandemic I had a ritual of going overseas for a vacation during the December recess.