“SACAP shows prowess in its academic and professional standards but also excellence in exposing students to the global practices of social work.”
Nhlanhla Radebe
Design is Nhlanhla Radebe’s lifeblood. As Creative Director of his business Design for South African Development, he does the whole shebang: interiors, fashion, video production and photography. “I consider myself an artist at heart,” he says.
In 2020 Nhlanhla, 29, discovered the power of psychology and its place in his unique design destiny. Consequently, he enrolled at SACAP and is currently in his third year of studying towards his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
A few months ago Nhlanhla was selected to participate in an exciting exchange programme with Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Germany. “The experience exceeded my expectations!” he exclaims. Eager to discover more, we asked Nhlanhla to share his story.
Back to the beginning
Nhlanhla has been self-employed in his design business since 2018. “In 2020 I started a social enterprise called Conversations with My Brothers,” he explains. “I realised I needed to further my education to help me work within this new framework.”
“Conversations with My Brothers is a platform for men to engage in conversations and share insight and perspective from men,” Nhlanhla continues. “We are a community that wants to end all Gender Based Violence (GBV). We do this by creating non-toxic and non-conforming spaces for men to engage in conversations and activities that promote healthy development and community.”
“I didn’t always want to work in psychology,” Nhlanhla admits. “I kind of just stumbled on it when I began my social enterprise.”
Cue SACAP
“I decided to study SACAP’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) as I believe it will contribute to my social entrepreneurship project,” Nhlanhla says. SACAP is the only institution in South Africa that offers Green Social Work, so enrolling was a no-brainer for me.”
“I was also drawn to the Work Integrated Learning component of SACAP’s course,” he adds. “It enabled me to apply theory from my very first year of study.”
Going for green
Let’s circle back to Green Social Work for a minute. What exactly is it? “Green Social Work explores the connection between social issues and environmental degradation, Nhlanhla explains. “It advocates for sustainable practices and environmental justice while working with policies that protect humans and the planet.”
We asked Nhlanhla to explain the significance of Green Social Work in the context of his developing community venture. “Because environmental issues are global and exacerbate inequality within our society, it’s imperative to advocate for humans, animals, and the planet amidst the challenges of climate change,” he says.
“Green Social Work offers a vital opportunity In South Africa. By integrating sustainable practices that improve living conditions, strengthen resilience and ensure equitable access to resources, it fosters a more just and sustainable society.”
Making the cut
DHBW values integrating academic studies with workplace training as highly as SACAP. It promotes cooperation with renowned like-minded universities all over the world. To this end, Nhlanhla was selected to participate as SACAP’s ambassador in an exchange programme from March to June this year.
Nhlanhla attributes his selection to the hard yards he’s put into the SACAP community. “As a member of the student leadership committee I facilitated campus events that enriched student life and helped balance academic and social experiences,” he explains. I also represented SACAP on panels with other institutions discussing diverse social work topics within the South African context.”
He believes the work he’s put into Conversations with My Brothers has played a significant part in his appointment, too. “I have facilitated support groups for men and organised jogging events in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to raise awareness about gender-based violence,” he notes. “Additionally, I have developed meditation workshops for both men and women, led silent retreats, and collaborated with other social enterprises.”
The DHBW experience
Nhlanhla’s time at DHBW was excellent, he says. “I learnt so much about diversity, inequality, environmental justice, entrepreneurship and globalization.”
His programme highlights? “I enjoyed the material on entrepreneurship and sustainable practices,” Nhlanhla says. I also enjoyed the “International Topics of Social Work” module because it covered Memory Work in post-conflict societies and topics on environmental racism.”
The module clarified how environmental degradation contributes to GBV, Nhlanhla says. “I came to understand how climate change displaces communities and, due to migration, leaves women and children in vulnerable positions.
Nhlanhla’s most valuable takeaway? “Reflecting on the histories of Germany and South Africa, and learning about healing, reconciliation, and the importance of acknowledging victims’ suffering,” he asserts. “This line of approach underscores how social workers can significantly contribute to creating a more inclusive and peaceful society.”
SACAP + DHBW
Nhlanhla feels his time at SACAP and DHBW will positively inform his future. “From the start of my studies at SACAP, I noticed how the institution champions environmental justice. It collaborates with various organizations to explore how communities and nature can coexist and work towards transformative change.”
“SACAP shows prowess in its academic and professional standards but also excellence in exposing students to the global practices of social work.”
“My experience at DHBW equipped me with the leadership skills necessary to work in multicultural teams,” Nhlanhla continues. “It also exposed me to lifelong relationships that I can use to foster professional collaborations in the future.”
Future Fantastic
Next year will be Nhlanhla’s fourth and final year at SACAP. We’re curious how he hopes his degree will inform what he does going forward? “I hope to establish my social enterprise in private practice and make a significant impact in my community,” he says. “I also want to advance my education, working towards conserving the environment as well as promoting sustainable development.”
From graphic designer to programme innovator and social architect, Nhlanhla’s future looks set to continue shaping his success. Yours can too. With SACAP’s supportive environment and exposure to excellent internationally recognised courses, your prospects are bright. Keen to learn more? Get in touch.
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