Sikander Kalla, a consultant clinical psychologist in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP), has appeared on Forbes Africa magazine’s 30 Under 30 list. Often referred to as the most-anticipated list on the continent, the selection highlights young trailblazers, visionaries and change-makers in Africa.

The UP alumnus is the first-ever healthcare practitioner to be selected for the list. The Limpopo-born psychologist has been making an impact in the field of mental health awareness since qualifying as a registered clinical psychologist when he was only 25. He also served in the public sector, having worked at hospitals like Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

He joins a global cohort of 30 Under 30 listers such as social media magnate Mark Zuckerberg and award-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy. For Kalla, making the list is an acknowledgement that an integration of mental health and business can take centre stage.

“I am receiving recognition for the years of effort that I have put into integrating health and business in ways that enrich the global economy, as well as normalising the entrepreneurial spirit and ambition of medical professionals on the continent,” he said. “It is also great to spotlight mental health on such a grand scale. Being the first healthcare practitioner to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Africa means that I will inspire many practitioners to aspire for more and believe that it is possible to achieve what often seems impossible.”

UP alumnus Sikander Kalla

Speaking about how he chose his career, Kalla said: “I am the biracial son of an African Pedi mother from a Christian family and an English-speaking Muslim father. While growing up, I had to navigate through the dynamics and intricacies of race, religion, class, culture and language. The complexities of my family history meant that I was exposed to unique challenges. This sparked my interest in psycho-therapeutically connecting with people and having them entrust me with their diverse stories, so that we can collaborate on their mental health and put the pieces of the puzzle together in a cohesive manner.”

Kalla also looks after the well-being and development of individuals nationally and internationally through his organisation Cohesive Collaboration.

“The Cohesive Collaboration model and framework for more accessible resources and services includes employing innovative digital solutions in line with the fourth industrial revolution,” he explains. “Cohesive Collaboration also seeks to utilise the Cohesive Collaboration Foundation to create a platform for better availability and accessibility to free mental health resources.”

For Kalla, mental health is more important than ever before. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted numerous issues that may be linked to mental health difficulties. These range from economic insecurity and occupational burnout to substance abuse, domestic abuse and gender-based violence. The pandemic has made us realise that valuing our mental health should not be seen as a luxury, but rather a necessity that is essential to any framework of functioning that embodies the values of cohesive engagement, optimised well-being, sustainable solutions and collaborative efforts – all of which I think are fundamental to Africa’s development.”