PsySSA Visits UKZN Psychology Department

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The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) - the professional body representing all psychology professionals in South Africa - recently visited UKZN’s Department of Psychology in Durban and Pietermaritzburg as part of the Society’s annual presidential road show.

They shared information regarding the Society and engaged students, academics and tertiary institution-based psychology professionals on the future of organised Psychology in South Africa, emphasising the importance of participating in the PsySSA-hosted Annual South African Psychology Congress.

President of PsySSA, Professor Juan Nel, encouraged students to visit the Society’s website, subscribe to the free newsletter, PsyTalk, and to be part of the Student Division.

Free membership for the year was also granted to students at the road show presentation allowing them full access to services offered by PsySSA, such as a subscription to the quarterly South African Journal of Psychology, reduced fees to workshops and PsySSA activities and reduced fees to the Annual National Psychology Congress.

PsySSA Office Manager, Ms Fatima Seedat, also encouraged students to embark on creating their own student psychology organisation in an effort to ‘build relationships, support each other and keep abreast of news in the field’. They were also urged to nominate UKZN lecturers for the annual PsySSA awards in the various categories as a way of showing appreciation to the teaching staff.

UKZN Lecturer Ms Lucinda Johns described the event as ‘educational and beneficial for students to understand the role of PsySSA as a professional body. Students are now keen to develop a Student Division in UKZN’.

Masters student Ms Elevia Nyallingu - whose research examines how children in rural areas see “madness” and their perceptions of it within a South African context - felt the road show was both insightful and informative.

‘It provided us with vital information and it’s amazing that we get full membership access - I will be making full use of PsySSA membership services,’ she said.

Another Masters student, Ms Theresa Lenta, said the presentation was relevant and she planned to attend the congress.

PsySSA’s 21st Anniversary is being celebrated this year with the focus on getting as many academics and students, as possible to participate in the PsySSA Strength in Unity congress in Johannesburg in September.

Speaking to students, Nel said: ‘We hope that you take the opportunity to submit abstracts under our theme for this year’s congress and take advantage of the reduced fees and join us.’

Melissa Mungroo