“I once spent a night in the office with a child, while arranging
placement for the child”. That’s according to Jane Ntselu, who is a Social
Worker at the Gauteng Department of Social Development, West Rand Region based
in Kagiso.
 
She was speaking about her love for the profession as we mark Social
Work Month. Ntselu joined the department twelve years ago, as an Auxiliary
Social Worker.” Before that I was working as an Assistant Nurse at Welgeheuiwen
Private Hospital in Roodepoort. I came across an advert from the department on
learnership for Social Auxiliary Workers and I applied. My application was
successful, and since then I have never looked back”, she explains.
 
“I started my learnership in 2007. A year later I was appointed as a
Social Auxiliary Worker on a permanent basis. In 2011 the department offered me
a Social Work bursary. In 2015 I had a breakdown that led to me being
hospitalized for a month. I had a lot to deal with, as a mother, employee and student
and I could not cope. The department was there for me; I was given six weeks
leave to recover”, said Ntselu.
 
In 2017, Ntselu obtained Honors in Social Work Degree at the University
of South Africa. Last year January she was appointed as a qualified Social
Worker. Ntselu deals with foster care and services to families based in Kagiso
office.
 
“I am enjoying my job because I make a difference in the community
especially assisting children. I once spent a night in the office with a child,
while arranging placement for the child. I cannot sleep knowing that I failed a
child. It is not easy to work with children, I sometimes need counselling
because it is traumatizing to see someone being abandoned. I cope because the
department gives me best support. I will forever be grateful to Social Development
for all they have done for me. I will repay them by making a meaningful difference
in the society”, she added.