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Matric Matrix

Matric Matrix

by | Jan 12, 2026 | Events and Announcements, Society for Educational Psychology of South Africa (SEPSA)

Matric Matrix 

Its that time of the year when students, their families and friends focus on discussions around the matriculation examination results. It may be a time for celebration for many, and may be a time for disappointment for others who fail.

Failue may bring sadness, lowered self-esteem, guilt, self-blame, anger, and a host of other negative emotions. One needs to address these emotions and work towards a mind-set change, otherwise despondency and depression may follow.

There are many reasons why a student may fail. These include absence or inadequate educational resources, lack of family support systems, financial constraints, absenteeism of teachers, poor teaching methods, large classes, and so forth. On an emotional level, students may face high anxiety, low motivation and aspiration, high parental expectations, and poor time management due to family chores. Of course we also need to understand that personal factors play a part in failure. Amongst these are not studying consistently, paying more time to social life than academic pursuit, engaging in harmful substance use, absenteeism and behaviour that detracts from paying attention and concentrating.

Students who fail must understand that our journey of life has unexpected challenges, failure may be one of them. It is better to rise up from a fall, even if we feel hopeless, rather than remaining on the ground. The public and media focus on matric exams may make it appear to be the one and only chance in life. This is not true. Like other obstacles that we face in life, we need to realise that there are always ways around an obstacle. All we need to do is commit to finding and following the solutions.

There are opportunities to remark scripts, write supplementary exams, repeat the matric exam, or follow a vocational/technical orientation at a college. Seek the free academic support that is available at your school such as printed guides and past exam papers. There are also TV and radio tutorials, and EduHub, a free app., or through private tuition.

Let us draw inspiration from the following quote:

“Failure should not be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”

– Denis Waitley

PsySSA Commemorates Day of Reconciliation – 16 December 2025

PsySSA Commemorates Day of Reconciliation – 16 December 2025

by | Dec 16, 2025 | Community and Engagement

 

PsySSA Commemorates the Day of Reconciliation 

 

On 16 December, South Africa observes the Day of Reconciliation – a day that calls on all who live in this country to reflect deeply on our shared history, acknowledge past injustices, and actively commit to building a just, inclusive, and united society.

The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) marks this day as an important moment for reflection on the psychological legacies of colonialism, apartheid, and structural inequality, and on the ongoing work required to heal individual and collective wounds. Reconciliation is not a passive process; it is an intentional, ethical, and sustained engagement with truth, accountability, dignity, and human rights.

From a psychological perspective, reconciliation requires creating spaces where lived experiences are recognised, voices historically silenced are centred, and trauma – both historical and contemporary – is addressed with care, cultural humility, and scientific rigour. PsySSA recognises the critical role psychology plays in facilitating dialogue, promoting empathy, addressing intergenerational trauma, and supporting social cohesion in a society still marked by profound inequality.

On this day, PsySSA reaffirms its commitment to:

  • Advancing human rights and social justice, in line with the South African Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
  • Transforming psychological knowledge and practice so that it is responsive to the realities of all communities in South Africa;
  • Encouraging ethical, inclusive, and contextually relevant psychological praxis that contributes to healing, dignity, and well-being;
  • Promoting reconciliation as an ongoing process, requiring honesty about the past, responsibility in the present, and collective imagination for a more equitable future.

Reconciliation is not achieved through symbolism alone. It demands action, accountability, and a willingness to listen, learn, and change. As psychologists and psychological practitioners, we carry a particular responsibility to contribute meaningfully to this process—through our research, teaching, clinical work, advocacy, and engagement with communities.

PsySSA calls on its members and the broader society to use this Day of Reconciliation not only as a moment of remembrance, but as a renewed commitment to building relationships rooted in respect, equity, and shared humanity.

Together, through ethical and socially responsive psychology, we can contribute to healing the past and shaping a more just future.

Discovery Health – Depression Funding Basket of Care 2026

Discovery Health – Depression Funding Basket of Care 2026

by | Dec 15, 2025 | Events and Announcements

Discovery Health 

Depression Funding Basket of Care 2026

 

Implementation of funding for a basket of care for in-hospital depression admissions in psychiatric facilities – effective 1 January 2026

To ensure members have access to clinically appropriate care during mental health admissions, Discovery Health will introduce funding for a structured basket of care (BoC) for all in-hospital depression admissions at psychiatric facilities. This will take effect from 1 January 2026 for all medical schemes administered by Discovery Health.

The updated funding basket has been meticulously crafted to conform to current best practices and evidence-based clinical guidelines. It ensures that funding reimbursement is allocated for all services relevant to the diagnosis and supportive of achieving the intended outcomes of in-patient psychiatric treatment.

You can access a recording of the In-hospital Depression Funding Basket of Care webinar here.

Click Here For More Information
A Message From The President – Prof Jace Pillay

A Message From The President – Prof Jace Pillay

by | Dec 12, 2025 | Community and Engagement, PsySSA Announcements

A Message From The President

 

Dear PsySSA Family,

As the year draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the key accomplishments of PsySSA in 2025, which we are pleased to share with you as our valued members and part of the PsySSA family. This has been an exceptionally busy year for the PsySSA Office, with numerous achievements. I will highlight only a selection of these.

Throughout the year, several PsySSA divisions hosted a range of well-attended workshops, webinars, and podcasts, providing high-quality content relevant to diverse professional and societal contexts. Notable successes included the CPD workshop series, the Board Examination Preparation workshops, and the DBT Immersion and ACTivate South African Tours. In addition, PsySSA’s facilitation of professional indemnity insurance and CPD accreditation applications was widely utilised by members.

The 29th PsySSA Annual Psychology Congress was a significant success and made an important contribution to the advancement of psychology as a science and profession. PsySSA’s broader societal impact was further demonstrated through its role as amicus curiae in the matter of The Embrace Project and Others v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Others.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Prof Ronelle Carolissen, our Past President, as well as to the PsySSA staff, for their leadership and dedication in achieving these accomplishments and the many others not mentioned here.

Looking ahead, 2026 is likely to present a number of challenges and threats that may negatively affect the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. Nevertheless, as PsySSA, we remain committed to seizing every opportunity to contribute to positive societal impact. This can only be achieved through your continued commitment to promoting psychological well-being, social responsibility, justice, and community empowerment.

I therefore humbly invite you to join the PsySSA leadership in championing transformation within our field and in ensuring that psychology remains relevant and responsive to the diverse psychological needs of all South Africans, through the services you provide in your various roles and workplaces. I strongly encourage you to become active members within your respective PsySSA Divisions.

On behalf of the entire PsySSA team, I wish you a psychologically fulfilling year ahead. I sincerely hope that you take time to rest and reconnect with family and friends, so that you may enter the new year refreshed and rejuvenated.

Best wishes
Professor Jace Pillay
PsySSA President

PsySSA 2026 Applications For CPD Accreditation Now Open!

PsySSA 2026 Applications For CPD Accreditation Now Open!

by | Dec 12, 2025 | CPD Opportunities

Would you like to have your activities CPD Accredited?

PsySSA is an accredited HPCSA CPD Accreditation Service Provider ensuring that your accreditation process is smooth and efficient. As professionals dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the quality of our practice, it is crucial to stay updated with the latest developments in our field. The CPD programme is designed to ensure this ongoing professional growth.

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the PsySSA 2026 Applications for CPD Accreditation are now open!

Click Here For More Information

Please do not hesitate to contact us at cpd@psyssa.com should you have any enquiries relating to CPD Accreditation.

We look forward to being of service to you.