“I’ve never met anyone like her. We are all unique. But Nyameka Mzamo? She is in a league of her own.”
Ms. Nyameka Mzamo is the Head of the Social Work Department at Project Playground, a non-profit organisation that engages over 800 vulnerable children and youths in the townships outside Cape Town, South Africa. Ms. Mzamo trains and oversees five social workers and follows up with hundreds of children and their families. No one better to give Nyameka a proper introduction than the Head of the organization, Ms. Frida Vesterberg, a leader and a WOW Woman:
“When Nyameka joined us seven years ago, she was our first and only member of the social work department. Nyameka single-handedly laid the foundation of what has become an incredibly unique and effective approach to child development in South Africa’s vulnerable areas. There is not a stone she leaves unturned, nor an alley she won’t go into, if it means ensuring the safety of a child. Her care for South African children, families and people around her is something out of this world. I am not only in awe of her passion and commitment, but also deeply respect the grace and sincerity of her character. I look up to Nyameka and have immense respect for her. I am so grateful that Nyameka chose Project Playground to pour her passion and dedication into. Her legacy has been cemented with countless children she helped and advanced through difficult life milestones.
Nyameka is so much more than a social worker with a golden heart; she has some serious skills in the prank department too. Her sense of humor is probably what helps us all ease the pain that can inevitably come with our job. Nyameka is all about playing tricks on friends, family and co-workers.
“…then, on my bad days, Nyameka sends me these, just to make me laugh…”
“I’ll leave you with one of her best pranks, which she’s done not once, but twice! Nyameka convinced our interns and new staff members that meeting our co-founder, Princess Sofia of Sweden, is a very intense experience. She advised newbies to divert their eyes (very important!), bow down low (to a certain and exact degree of the head tilt); furthermore, it was forbidden to speak unless first spoken to. During the meeting, poor creatures were super nervous and stressed, which was evident from the videos Nyameka took as they sweated away, trying to remember how to address Her Royal Highness, while bowing (im)properly. The joke was finally revealed, because Princess Sofia is nothing like the prank makes her out to be, she is always the first to laugh at herself. Nyameka’s laugh rings loudest, as she folds over giggling at her creation.” - Frida Vesterberg, Founder, Project Playground.
Social Worker, Children Rights Activist and Ambassador, Cape Town, South Africa
1. Name
Nyameka Mzamo.
2. Where is your hometown?
Cape Town, South Africa.
3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?
I am a social work coach, a children’s rights activist and ambassador.
My average day involves virtual and in-person coaching consultations with my team of social workers, other children’s rights activists and stakeholders on matters regarding the safety of children. I also spend a lot of time evaluating and improving processes used to safeguard children on a daily basis.
4. What did you study in school?
I completed Honours in Social Work. Since then, I have qualified as a Family Mediator and a Professional Social Work Supervisor.
5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?
I went through some heavy trauma in my earlier days and I believe that was the prolusion to getting into the field of working with people, especially children. I decided early on that I would be the type of grown-up who sees past a child’s smile, who would zoom into a child’s inner self to make sure that the inside matches the outside. I wanted to be alongside the child to help transform their circumstances until the heart has the same smile as the face.
Achievements I have been most proud of – wow – there are too many to mention. I will just say that when family surroundings are not livable, and the child feels trapped and hopeless in their circumstances but afterwards, they can breathe and have hope for tomorrow – that does it for me. Whatever it takes to get there.
I am also very proud of myself. I have been through a lot in life and to see where my journey brought me in this moment – not too shabby.
6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?
It’s more than I could have ever imagined. I wanted to be a little fly on the wall, helping children, it didn’t matter if it ended up being 10 children. Today, wow – I have had the privilege to be part of thousands of children’s lives and hundreds of families. I am more content with myself than I thought I would ever be. I thought that my earlier traumas would dictate how I lived my life, restrained, but I have lived my life abandonedly, by remaining an authentic, crazy, misunderstood trailblazer that I am.
7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?
Yes, there have been several. One answer: Jesus.
8. Advice for other women?
You are enough. You don’t have to be anyone other than yourself. You are beautiful as you are. You are unique. There’s no one like you in the whole wide world. No one with your eyes, your smile, your heart – share yourself with the world. Your print can only be left behind by you. Only you.
9. Knowing what we know now in the current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?
We all have a role to play in society. We all have our own lanes. You will miss your bus if you’re waiting at someone else’s bus stop. Stay in your lane and be the best that YOU can be. Don’t look at what society expects you to be. Society is not responsible for your peace of mind.
10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?
You know what? When I look at my life and see where God has taken me from. When I look at what He said He would do through my life and just watching it unfold. I don’t feel tallest – I am humbled. This applies to my personal and professional journeys.
11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?
Does having an insane Converse collection count? Hobbies – I love to read, so the moment I could afford to buy my own books, I ditched the library and now I hoard – I mean, I collect, books!
12. Have you travelled solo? If so, which were some of the most memorable destinations and why? Why do you travel and would you recommend it to women?
I have not travelled solo yet (except taking myself on solo dates) but my sisters and I made a pact to explore at least one country each year. We have been doing it for the past 13 or so years now. It has been such a rich experience as you are exposed to different cultures – of course the scenery!
13. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?
Am I still going to grow? In short, I would like to do two things:
create a haven for people in the social services profession by offering field-related training and self-care retreats so that we too can have a space where we are around those who can relate to us.
the other – I would like to live my best life. Whatever I’m doing, wherever I am, I hope to be content.
14. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?
You’re going to make me say it? I have a feeling that even though some days I feel like I’m ready to retire, I am only beginning the second leg of my life’s journey; my biggest impact is yet to come.
The magnitude scares me, but that just means I am looking at things through my own eyes, using my own wisdom, not God’s.
15. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?
A little. There are boo-boos we make along the way that are then reshaped into life’s lessons and are the stepping stones for who we are today. There are those, life lesson or not, if I had a time machine, I would most definitely go back to undo. Let’s leave it there. I’ve made the most of it but if I had the choice, I would definitely skip certain chapters.
16. What/who inspires you?
It’s a cliché I know, but I’m inspired when someone lives, loves, and draws conclusions, from their own story. When they use their experiences to make life more livable for others. When they don’t give up just because they don’t see a path for themselves; instead they beat down a path for themselves and for others after them. Those are the types of people who inspire me.
17. What are you hopeful about?
I’m hopeful about the future children’s rights ambassadors, after they have the necessary coaching and support. In turn, they can pay it forward to the upcoming generations of kids to grow up more well-rounded than we did.
18. What are some ingredients to a good life? How did the global pandemic change your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?
To me – God.
You need to have the Source in your life. Everything in life comes with either a manual, instructions, a method or a formula – whatever is needed to function at its optimal best. So do humans. So find your Source.
The pandemic – it changed the way I do things but not my core. Nothing changed, yet everything changed. I think we all realised just how much ‘noise’ exists around us; we actually don’t need a lot of the things we once thought we needed. During the lockdown, when it came down to it, all we needed was each other. So, if we keep coming back to the fact that basic things in life are all we need, and we transfer that knowledge to the people we come across, then we’re winning.
19. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?
- I’m unapologetically me – some say I’m crazy. I don’t disagree. Hahaha.
- I know what I’m placed on this earth for, and I try to do it every day.
- I don’t think outside the box. There isn’t even a box. What box?
20. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self? What advice would your 14-year-old self give you in return?
Me to her: It’s okay to let people in. It gets better, I promise.
Her to me: Don’t do it! It’s not worth it!
21. What are you reading now and what are some of your favourite books
Besides my Bible, I’m finishing off a Francine Rivers book. I’m still making my way through Viola Davis’ biography (shew – it’s heavy!) but I’m also about to start a new John Grisham as soon as I finish my current book. Anything by Francine Rivers a favourite, a well as John Grisham and David Baldacci. Maya Angelou’s life story though, is an all-time favourite.
22. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?
WOW Woman is someone who takes up space; she snows what space she is meant to take up in the world and does exactly that. My WOW Women are: both my moms, my sisters and the four social workers I am currently working with.
23. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?
My Instagram @brown_hobbit
Bonus Quick Round Questions
1. What and who is worth suffering for? Children. Children are.
2. What would you do if you knew that nobody would judge you? I’m still working on it. You will read about it sometime, I’m sure.
3. Who is/are your mentor/s (these could be men or women in your life)? That was the sad bit about my journey. Specifically in the way I social work, I did not have any and I had to pioneer and trailblaze for those who come after me. In terms of work with children, there have been many, including my dad who is an educator.
4. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? I would still work. Hahaha. I’d spend more days on the beach, though, reading.
5. If you could be anyone for a day who would you be? Mmmmh… is it weird that I can’t think of anyone. I’m good at being me.
6. If you could relive one year in your life, which one would it be? Oh gosh – I have three of those – all at different times of my life. I would relive three different ages.
7. What bothers you most about people? What do you love most about people? Bothers me about people: When people are deliberately mean to others. Love most about people: Ubuntu – humanity. When there’s for instance a World Cup, we come together to celebrate; when tragedy strikes, even when the pandemic came about – we clung to one another, we helped each other – that means our authentic selves are connected – we just get in the way.
