The long game of leadership
I am Samukelisiwe Joan Ngcobo, a Black South African woman from eThekwini (Durban), KwaZulu-Natal. My name carries an ambiguous but deeply meaningful interpretation “we have received” or “we have been welcomed” a reminder of belonging, grace, and purpose.
I am Zulu by heritage, with roots in Ladysmith, where both my parents come from. Much of my childhood was shaped by visits there during school holidays, and those memories remain precious to me.
IsiZulu is my home language, and I have a deep love for words, for what they can create when thoughtfully and intentionally articulated. I come from a family that values oral history, where stories are preserved and passed down through spoken word.
Being African, to me, means community and shared humanity. It is an acknowledgment of collective struggle and collective victory. The more of Africa I encounter, the more I am reminded that we have far more in common than what divides us.
Life, however, had a different plan.
After experiencing a traumatic and very public bipolar episode with associated psychosis, I was admitted to a state psychiatric facility. Even in my most unwell state, I knew that I wanted to be the change I wished to see in the world. That experience fundamentally altered the trajectory of my life and career.
I hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which I completed in 2011. I am a registered independent medical practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
I later undertook registrar training in psychiatry under the University of the Witwatersrand, with the intention of specialising. It was during this period that I felt an undeniable urge to pivot and step into entrepreneurship and establish my wellness company, Vocal Mentality.
"It was a risk, but one worth taking. My purpose was ignited, and I became deeply convinced by it."
Every stage of my medical journey from internship, community service, medical officer roles, and registrar training contributed meaningfully to my growth.
No experience was wasted. In 2020, my profile became more visible when I made the deliberate decision to publicly share my lived experience as a thriving medical doctor living with bipolar disorder since adolescence.
Since then, being recognised as a respected voice and thought leader in mental health advocacy has been both validating and humbling. Awards and accolades have amplified my voice and strengthened my resolve to continue making an impact.
Some of these milestones include being a finalist in the 2022 Rising Star Awards for Entrepreneurship, winning the 2025 Forty Under 40 Awards South Africa in the Wellness category for Vocal Mentality, and receiving the 2025 Mail & Guardian Power of Women Award in Health and Wellness.
The principle that guides my work remains simple yet powerful: Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
My career legacy, as I see it, is rooted in redefining the false and damaging narratives projected onto people living with mental illness. I hope to be remembered for challenging stigma and encouraging others to overcome the shame created by self-stigma to live fully, openly, and without apology.
Like any meaningful journey, mine has not been without challenges. One of the most significant lessons I learned was through onboarding someone who was not a good fit for my organisation. I ignored my intuition and paid the price. That experience taught me the importance of trusting my inner voice, paying attention to red flags, and allowing people’s unedited actions and character to guide my decisions.
A defining turning point in my life occurred in 2020, when I experienced a public bipolar episode and was admitted involuntarily to a state psychiatric facility. The version of myself that I once knew died in that moment and a new version of me was born.
If I were to summarise my career in one sentence, it would be this “Thriving beyond mental illness and empowering others to do the same.”
I am deeply grateful to those who have guided and influenced my journey, my first psychologist, Dr Maureen Mbense; Dr R.R. Singh; and my colleagues and friends, Dr Chawane and Dr Letlotlo. Their support and belief left a lasting imprint on my professional and personal growth.
Looking ahead, my vision is for a future where mental illness is no longer trivialised or drowned in stigma and stereotypes.
I am committed to democratising access to mental health information, empowering society through education, and contributing to a world where mental wellness is understood, respected, and prioritised.
