Mentors

Dr Rugare Mugumbate
Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy
Dr Admire Chereni
Takudzwa Leonard Mathende
Alemayehu Gebru
Dr William Abur
Mrs Bawani Mutshewa
Frieda Kagola
Chikasie Ruth Ikpeama – Nigeria

Dr Rugare Mugumbate

Dr Rugare Mugumbate holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from the University of Zimbabwe and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He worked in the disability sector before joining the Department of Social Work, Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe. Presently, he is with the School of Health & Society, University of Wollongong, Australia where he teaches international social work and other subjects. He works with the Africa Social Work Network (ASWNet) which promotes production and dissemination of indigenous knowledges such as ubuntu and the African Journal of Social Work (AJSW) published by the National Association of Social Workers (Zimbabwe). He is a founder of Sanga Development Foundation (SDF), a community-based organisation in his home village in Buhera District; Epilepsy Resource Centre of Zimbabwe based in Harare and the Epilepsy Africa Alliance (EAA) based in Kigali, Rwanda. He participates in global disability advocacy and research. His research interests are in social justice as it interfaces with marginalised groups in society.

Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy

Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy is an Associate Professor at the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mfoafo-M’Carthy holds a master’s and PhD in Social Work from Columbia University and the University of Toronto respectively. He is the recipient of the Hilary M. Weston scholarship for scholastic achievement and commitment to mental health in 2009. He is a former Associate Director of Laurier’s Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa (TISCA) and a former Carnegie Diasporan Fellow at the University of Ghana. He has extensive policy, teaching and research experience, and has worked in adolescent and adult mental health organizations in New York City, British Columbia, and Ontario. He has previously taught at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto and the University of Windsor. He teaches an array of courses mostly at the micro and macro levels. Dr. Mfoafo-M’Carthy’s research focuses on community-based / global mental health practice, disability, inclusive education, international social work and Afrocentric social work practice. Dr. Mfoafo-M’Carthy has held numerous Canadian research grants exploring stigma, mental health and disability. He travels regularly to Ghana and other African countries where he is involved in research in mental health and disability. Dr. Mfoafo-M’Carthy previously worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto.

Dr Admire Chereni, BSW, PhD

Dr Admire Chereni

Dr Admire Chereni, “My passion for people, coupled with my demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of populations, has led me to become well-versed in all aspects of social work with expertise in caseload management, identifying/assessing risk, empowering individuals, maximising independence, and legislative compliance. Moreover, I am competent at applying these skills in an academic context, designing, coordinating, and facilitating practice-based teaching, learning, and research to ensure higher education students receive the highest quality educational experience. As an enterprising social worker with an entrepreneurial and problem-solving mindset, couples with a passion for serving communities and families with children, I am dedicated to providing preventive, educational, and evaluative and treatment services to meet the psycho-social needs of patients and their families. I am committed to helping children, young people, and families to improve, restore, and maintain their maximum level of coping. A collaborative professional, I consistently utilise community resources and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to aid in this process. I have established a track record of success throughout my career by leveraging a collaborative work style to accomplish all short- and long-range objectives. An engaging and articulate communicator, I can convey complex information and build consensus with key stakeholders, including at-risk service users, students, academic staff, and executive leaders. Furthermore, my focus on remaining at the forefront of the social work industry enables me to drive innovation and maintain a competitive advantage. Equipped with a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, along with 13 years of experience in the academic sector, I am well-prepared to align my skill set with any position that requires a proactive individual who strives to exceed expectations on every assignment. Additionally, I am accustomed to the rigours of fast-paced environments requiring sharp attention to detail, outstanding communication skills, and exceptional analytical and research abilities. As an experienced professional who is adept at providing a multi-tiered system of support that aligns with best practices, I remain eager to undertake greater, hands-on challenges in the social work field. I welcome our connection!”

Takudzwa Leonard Mathende

Takudzwa Leonard Mathende is a qualified and experienced local government social work practitioner in the area of statutory child protection, disability and community development. He currently works as a Practice Consultant within a Children’s Disability Team in a Berkshire Local Authority in the United Kingdom. In this role Takudzwa manages a small caseload of complex cases, provides practice support for social workers and also leads and supervises short breaks workers in the team ensuring the provision of a consistently high standard service for children and families as well as ensuring the workers meet statutory duties and services or interventions comply with local authority’s policies and procedures. Prior to this role Takudzwa also worked as a social worker for the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Social Development in South Africa. Takudzwa also has statutory non-government organisation (NGO) child protection experience from South Africa. Takudzwa is a holder of a Bachelor of Social Work Honours obtained in 2008 from the University of Zimbabwe and MA in Social Impact Assessment obtained in 2015 from the University of Johannesburg. He has authored and co authored over 20 peer reviewed book chapters and journal articles all available online on Google scholar and his LinkedIn profile. His areas of research and interest are : Social Impact Assessment, Social Ecology, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Development and Social Work. He is able to mentor students about international social work, work and postgraduate opportunities in the UK for African students and graduates as well as information about working in the UK.

Alemayehu Gebru

I am Alemayehu Gebru from Jimma City, Ethiopia. I was born in 1969 E.C. on February 25 in the east Arsi of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. I attended my elementary and high school in two different places Arsi, Ketealaga, and Adama Hawas preparatory schools until 2003 E.C. Then, I joined Addis Ababa University to attend my first degree of BSW in 2004 E.C and graduated in 2007 E.C. with great distinction (3.83 GPA). Afterward, I was employed as a graduate assistant II at Jimma University in 2008 E.C. And I got the chance to continue my education of postgraduate program in Jimma University School of Social Work in 2010 E.C. I graduated my MSW with great distinction (4 GPA) and got excellent for my thesis work. Now, I published three articles including my thesis and three more articles under progress. Moreover, I have been providing teaching, research, and community services in Jimma University School of social work since 2008 E.C. In addition, I have a good working relationship with the African Journal of Social Work.

Dr William Abur

Dr William Abur is a lecturer in social work and researcher. He has taught social work course in both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His research focusing on refugee settlement, mental health, trauma, resilience, youth and family wellbeing, social work education and practice, participation in employment and sport, racism and discrimination. Dr Abur has published two books and numerous peer reviewed articles exploring refugee settlement and migration. Dr Abur has intensive experiences and skills in casework, case management, community development, social work education, social research, counselling and cultural training. He has worked in secondary schools, community mental health and settlement services. Before his arrival in Australia as a refugee, he had worked in refugee camps as a counsellor and a manger for the counselling centre in Kenya for seven years. William’s interest is in a community education to raise awareness on community issues such as settlement and migration. He is currently affiliate member of the Centre for humanitarian leadership, with planned research projects focusing on the wellbeing and leadership of refugees and humanitarian community groups. William’s research works can be accessed through this link and this link.

Mrs Bawani Mutshewa

Mrs Bawani Mutshewa is a trained social worker. Mrs Mutshewa is the Coordinator for Health and Wellness Centre at University of Botswana. Prior to her current employment, she worked for Stanbic Bank Botswana as the Employee Wellness Coordinator, Worked for YWCA as the HIV and AIDS Parents Education National Programme Coordinator, PACT Coordinator for YWCA, Youth Officer with National Youth Council. Mrs Mutshewa has more than 19 years’ experience of working with young people at both secondary and tertiary level. She also has a lot of experience on employee wellness programmes.

Holds Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW); majoring in Youth and Community Development, Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW), both obtained at University of Botswana . She also has a Certificate in Vocational Education and Training( Train the Trainer). Her professional interests are behaviour change education, peer education, working with young people, wellness issues.

Frieda Kagola

Frieda Kagola is a Child Protection Practitioner in the department of family, fairness, and housing (DFFH) in Victoria state government, Australia. Before her current role, she worked for Lifeline Childline Namibia as a social work volunteer and worked for the Ministry of Gender Equality Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare as a child protection officer in Namibia. Frieda has published peer-reviewed articles exploring the psychological well-being of young people. Frieda’s primary interest is in the psychological and emotional well-being of young people. She is currently an ethics committee member of the Africa Social Work and Development Network (ASWNET).

Holds a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from the University of Sydney, Australia, bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from the University of Namibia. Her professional primary interests are child protection, research focusing on the mental health of young people, and mentoring students from all backgrounds to maximize their full potential. Due to the latter, it enhances her passion and inspiration to serve with heart to heart as a social worker and a mentor.