Executive

Mercy Tshilidzi-Mulaudzi is Professor of Psychology at the University of Venda and is Acting Executive Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences comprising 5 departments, including Psychology. Her research interests are in Mental Health, HIV and AIDS, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Gender-Based Violence and Epidemiology. In the field of Psychology for 36 years, Prof Tshilidzi-Mulaudzi has taught, conducted research, and supervised graduates in psychology who are self-employed or who work in the public and private sectors. She has previously served as Additional Member on the PsySSA Executive and currently serves the in South African National Committee for the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS). Prof Mulaudzi is an academic leader who has not lost her connection with practitioners and the communities she interacts with. Despite her accolades and achievements, she remains humble and accessible.

Prof. Jace Pillay is a Senior Professor and SA Research Chair in Education and Care at the University of Johannesburg. He has been registered as an educational and counselling psychologist for 32 years and holds several positions in the Professional Board for Psychology. His research focuses on orphans and vulnerable children, mental health of young people, psychosocial support in schools, and care and support for teaching and learning. He has more than 100 publications and mentored numerous students and staff.

Floretta Boonzaier is Professor of Psychology at the University of Cape Town, and co-Director of the Hub for Decolonial Feminist Psychologies in Africa. She is noted for her work in feminist, critical and postcolonial psychologies, research on subjectivity in relation to race, gender and sexuality, work on gendered and sexual violence, and decolonial research methodologies. She was Editor-in-Chief of the journal Psychology in Society (PINS) from 2018 to 2021. She is a past UCT Mandela Fellow at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University and a past recipient of the runner up award in the South African Department of Science and Technology’s Women in Science awards, for the category of Distinguished Young Woman Researcher in the Social Sciences or Humanities. She serves on the Board of Mosaic Training, Service and Healing Centre for Women, in Cape Town and the African Gender Institute and Huma Institute at the University of Cape Town. She is also an Executive Committee Member of the Sexuality and Gender Division of the Psychological Society of South Africa. Her recent publications include the co-edited volumes Engaging youth in activism, research and pedagogical praxis. Transnational and intersectional perspectives on gender, sex and race (Routledge, 2018), Decolonial Feminist Community Psychology (Springer, 2019 ), Men, Masculinities and Intimate Partner Violence (Routledge, 2020) and the co-authored book, Pan-Africanism and Psychology in Decolonial Times (Palgrave Macmillan, in press).

Ashley van Heerden is a Clinical Psychologist practising in the Western Cape. She holds a Master of Social Science (Clinical Psychology) and a Master of Social Science (Research Psychology). She also holds certifications in Programme Management (University of Geneva) and Gestalt Therapy. Under the umbrella of the United Nations, she has developed and implemented relevant, cost-effective human rights programmes within the South African context, assisting numerous NPOs and being invited to present her work at national and international conferences. Broad areas of interest include developmental trauma and working from a social justice perspective, particularly in relation to LGBTQIA+ rights and gender-based violence.

Daniel den Hollander is a clinical psychologist who has worked in specialised mental health care, both in the public and private sectors. His expertise lies in voluntary, involuntary, and forensic treatment care, Complex PTSD and co-occuring addiction work. He has chaired the Psychology Professionals in Public Service Division of PsySSA from 2016-2021. During his term, PiPS became an established voice within parliamental NHI discussions and building key stakeholder relationships with other government departments (e.g. DBE, SARS). He is an activist for mental health care in South Africa. He is passionate about cultivating and promoting empowerment and change: may it be in the therapy room, on radio, at governmental stakeholder meetings, or at conferences. He is a regular feature on SAFM Living Redefined, and contributor for the Mail & Guardian.

Dr. Nick Malherbe is a researcher at the Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa & South African Medical Research Council-University of South Africa Masculinity and Health Research Unit. His research interests include community psychology, violence, visual methods, and culture.

Kobus Maree lectures counselling for career construction to educational and counselling master’s psychology students at the University of Pretoria. His research is aligned with the “Leave No One Behind” pledge (UNESCO). Kobus has received multiple awards, including a fellowship from the IAAP (2014) and the PsySSA (2017). In 2018 and again in 2022, I was elected a member-at-large of the IAAP.

Dr Kemoneilwe Momi Metsing is a registered Educational Psychologist, currently practicing and enriching the field with her profound insights and expertise. She holds a distinctive reputation as a registered practitioner and a registered expert witness with the South African Medico Legal Association (SAMLA), coupled with a resounding passion for Neurodiversity and Inclusive Education. Her fervour primarily lies with learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN). Advancing Educational inclusivity, Community development, Intercultural and Diversity management is at the heart of Dr. Kemoneilwe Metsing's philosophy.

Pakeezah Rajab is a HPCSA-registered Research Psychologist and Psychometrist, employed as the Senior Researcher at JVR Psychometrics. Her PhD topic (University of Pretoria) was non-intellectual factors that influence mathematics performance in South Africa. She has experience applying psychometric results to a variety of contexts, including schools, private practice, higher education, and corporate environments. Pakeezah has worked on numerous projects that developed, validated and/or standardised assessments for use by the South African population – including aptitude, personality, values, career guidance and emotional intelligence. Her research interests include cognitive functioning, student performance and assessment development.