Crawford Times - Summer Edition 2020 (2)

ALUMNI FEATURE
Mbali Khuzwayo
CRAWFORD COLLEGE NORTH COAST (2006)
Mbali is a gadget-lover, but her kind nature led her down the road to
become a qualified counsellor in 2018. She has since launched her
own online Counselling platform, Serene Therapy, offering individual
therapy online.
You have chosen a very special
but challenging profession. What
led you down this path?
I’m a very intuitive person. I’m
a feeler, and I have grown from
helping others. I think most people
in my field get into it by trying to
understand a few things in their
lives, too. I have always had this
curiosity about human behaviour,
more particular how and why we
feel the way we do. Emotional wellbeing
is my passion. Having grown
up in this diverse and culturally rich
country, there is still a lot to learn,
and a lot of healing to be done.
Your work must be very
emotionally taxing – how do you
recharge?
Quick story: At a very young age
I realized I was this extremely
emotional being, but I never
wanted that to change. I sadly
and very quickly learnt that the
world wouldn’t always be able
to accommodate my emotions,
and even though when you meet
me I may seem like the strongest
person - to which I am. But, I get
that strength from allowing myself
to feel the not-so-comfortable
feelings, too. So, at 11 years old
in a futuristic exercise at school,
I wrote a letter to my future self,
asking that my heart never
change, but may the people
around me. And I’m proud to
say that I have the absolute best
friends in the world. Every single
one of the humans I refer to as
friends in my life, are truly that.
And they all hold a significant
place in my heart. Amongst those,
I have my “core” team that I refer
to as “The council”. They know all
sides to me; they are my sound
board. Other than that, I believe
life is about choice. I cannot help
but smile when I see the sun rise
every morning. It truly fills my heart
with light and hope.
What is the most rewarding part
of the work you do?
Being able to witness and offer a
safe space for people to heal and
discover their inner strength.
What are your top three pieces
of wisdom for everyone to stay
mentally healthy?
• Breathe - Often when our
hearts are in pain, we forget
to breathe. A simple breathing
exercise, allowing some oxygen
into the brain, can bring great
relief to what your body is
experiencing.
Every child a masterpiece | 31