Reflecting on her internship at UWC’s Centre for Student Support Services, Kamogelo Ngale shares how a year of guided practice and meaningful student engagement shaped her path in psychology. Image: Supplied

When Kamogelo Ngale reflects on her year as an Intern Psychologist at the University of the Western Cape’s Centre for Student Support Services (CSSS), she speaks with the warmth of someone who has found not just a profession, but a calling. Yet her journey into psychology did not begin in a classroom. It began in a quiet longing to be heard.

Growing up, Ngale  often carried emotions she could not express in a home where vulnerability had little room to breathe, a familiar experience in many African households. She longed for someone who would listen without judgment, one to validate her experiences and hold space for her feelings. She didn’t know it then, but she was searching for the very support she would one day offer to others.

It was not until after she matriculated and was confronted with the question, “Where to now?” that she was introduced to psychology as a profession; she stated that she had no prior knowledge about it. Kamogelo explained that, through the nature of the profession, she came to recognise the importance of understanding a client’s cultural background to adopt a holistic therapeutic approach. This insight motivated her to seek knowledge of diverse cultures from various institutions across the country, deepening her understanding of South Africa’s diverse cultural landscape.

That search eventually led her to UWC, to CSSS, and to a community where care, culture, and compassion are woven into daily practice. She believed that to truly support someone, she needed to understand the world they come from. Culture, upbringing and lived experience matter, and the CSSS environment aligns perfectly with her commitment to culturally informed care.

“Becoming a psychologist is not just about theory. It’s about understanding people  and understanding yourself.”

For Ngale, supervision became one of the most transformative parts of her internship.

“For me, the ‘S’ in supervision stands for Safe Space. It’s where you can bring your challenges, uncertainties and mistakes  and be met with warmth and guidance.”

Her supervisors helped her sharpen her clinical thinking, navigate complex cases, and recognise that being human is not separate from the work; it enriches it. This support shaped her into a practitioner grounded in empathy, cultural awareness and professional confidence.

Her work at CSSS extended far beyond individual counselling. Over the year, she facilitated play therapy, ran lunch-hour group sessions, conducted assessments for reasonable accommodations, wrote psychometric reports, and delivered workshops across campus.

“It reignited my passion for student well-being and community engagement,” she said.

She speaks highly of the interconnectedness of CSSS, where referrals are seamless, and support is holistic. From disability services and academic coaching to spiritual care and the 24/7 SADAG crisis line, she witnessed a system that supports students as whole human beings.

One of the highlights of her year was hosting the Indigenous Games Day during Mental Wellness Week in October, an event she conceptualised to give students a moment of joy and reconnection.

“With exams approaching, students were exhausted from working tirelessly to succeed. I wanted to create a moment where they could take a break. A moment of childhood, when today’s reality was only a mere dream.” To Kamogelo, the event was about “Back to Play, Back to Balance, A break from ‘A’s, to play some games. The Monday mandate was a past playdate.”

Working with dedicated students, cultural societies such as the Ndebele, Tsonga, Vhavenda, and Basotho, as well as the Ubuntu Peace Ambassadors, she created a vibrant day featuring various games including Donkey, Skipping rope, Tins, Morabaraba and Parasport games to promote inclusion and accessibility. Alongside these were the Kwaito tunes and playful party packs, which were intentionally chosen to remind students of who they are, how far they’ve come, and what they can still achieve.

Through her internship, she came to believe in the power of personal stories. “We are all walking novels, shaped by where we come from, what we’ve survived, and what we’re still learning.”

She sees daily how students battle perfection, comparison and fear of failure. Her message to them is simple: mistakes are learning opportunities, not proof of inadequacy. Seeking help is an act of courage, not a sign of crisis. “Mental health challenges are not flaws, they are obstacles we can face with honesty, courage and support.”

As the year draws to a close, she reflects fondly on every interaction she has had with students, from the peer facilitators in the first semester to those who attended the workshops she presented, and the clients who have contributed to her growth in clinical practice. She shared that she is equally appreciative of the friendships she formed on campus, the dedicated office executives who work tirelessly to maintain the workspaces, the Indigenous Games Facilitators, and the colleagues who have made her experience truly meaningful. To her, it has been a privilege to share the same space with each of them. She believes that the knowledge and experiences gained will continue to shape her journey as she steps into the future. She describes this year as one for the books - one she will title, “What a Year, What a God, What a Privilege.”