by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 26, 2025
Ammarah is currently completing her final undergraduate year in Psychology at the University of Johannesburg. Throughout her academic journey, Ammarah has embraced multiple leadership and volunteer roles which have not only strengthened her ability to connect with others, but also increased her drive to pursue her dream of becoming a psychologist.
Ammarah is passionate about helping people and making a positive difference in their lives, which drives both her academic ambition and her involvement outside the classroom.
While she strives to become a clinical psychologist, she is also fascinated by non-traditional therapeutic methods like animal-assisted therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Ammarah believes that healing looks different for everyone, and would love to explore these approaches in more detail.
Ammarah plans to study for an Honours degree next year and is eager to continue expanding her knowledge and skills in order to contribute meaningfully to the field of psychology and the well-being of others.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 24, 2025
Nokukhanya Magwegwe is a psychology Honours graduate with a strong interest in research, community psychology, and student well-being. She has presented her Honours mini-thesis findings at the 8th Southern African Students’ Psychology Conference, reflecting both her strong interest in research and her commitment to making psychological knowledge accessible and meaningful to wider audiences. Her volunteer work with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and the Johannesburg Parent and Child Counselling Centre (JPCCC) has centred on community engagement and empowerment. In these roles, Nokukhanya has worked with children, parents, and community members, applying psychological knowledge as a practical resource to strengthen resilience, promote well-being, and foster supportive environments. These experiences have shaped her passion for psychology as a means of addressing real-world challenges and expanding access to mental health support. Her current professional interests lie in creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering spaces for emerging psychologists. Her contributions to the PsySSA Student Divisions’s Research and Information Team reflect her passion for bridging research and practice, as well as her commitment to amplifying student voices within the discipline. Looking ahead, she aspires to further her postgraduate studies and build a career that integrates research, practice and accessible knowledge-sharing. She is dedicated to advancing psychology as a driver of empowerment, resilience, and social change in South Africa.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 21, 2025
I’m an analytical thinker with a profound interest in the forces that shape human cognition, focusing on the mechanisms of decision-making and meaning-making. This academic curiosity is put into practice through a dual role as an academic and the founder of an NGO.
As an academic, I am committed to advancing a nuanced understanding of human behavior, bridging empirical precision with psychological analysis. This approach is anchored in the belief that mental life must be studied in relation to the narratives, embodied experiences, and environments in which thinking occurs, not solely through neurobiological processes.
In my professional capacity as the founder of an NGO, I direct research and curriculum design initiatives focused on the development of executive functioning. My work emphasizes how cognitive capacities are cultivated and constrained in under-resourced communities. This role has allowed me to combine empirical investigation with applied program design, producing interventions that strengthen focus, resilience, and long-term goal orientation in learners.
In addition to my other work, I serve as a mental health coach for a UK charity, providing crucial support to individuals from under-resourced communities.
My contributions lie in creating integrative, ethically informed, and contextually grounded models of mental life. This unique blend of theoretical inquiry and practical application aims to foster a more comprehensive understanding of human cognition while creating tangible, positive change.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 21, 2025
I am currently in my second year of my Bachelor of Arts at Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay. Throughout my studies, I have developed a deep interest in both the academic and practical sides of psychology. Beyond the classroom, I have gained valuable experience through volunteering and shadowing professionals, which has strengthened my passion for the field.
I am an active member of the PsySSA SD National Mentorship Programme (2025). I am also a part of the information and research team. This opportunity allows me to contribute to research that supports mental health awareness and development among students and young professionals.
My areas of interest include clinical psychology and neuropsychology, with a specific focus on neurodegenerative disorders. I am passionate about being part of treatment planning for individuals facing these conditions, as I believe that too often they are diagnosed but not adequately supported. I am also deeply interested in child development and the importance of educating parents to foster healthier childhoods, which in turn shape better outcomes in adulthood.
My long-term goal is to expand access to psychological care, particularly for individuals and communities who cannot afford therapy but are in great need of it.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 21, 2025
Zariké Gouws is a third-year student at the North-West University, who has consistently maintained a distinction-level average throughout his undergraduate studies, earning him a place on the Dean’s List for two consecutive years. Having completed the National Mentorship Program in 2024, for which he received the Personal Growth Award, he is now serving as the Assistant Secretary for said program. In addition, he has been an elected executive member of PsySSA’s Student Division, reflecting his dedication to student leadership, continuous learning and personal development. His academic interests lie in abnormal psychology, forensic psychology, positive psychology, psychology of love and relationships, narrative therapy, and philosophy. Looking ahead, Zariké aims to further develop his expertise by completing an honours and master’s degree in psychology, enabling him to make meaningful contributions to both research and practice in the field.
