Following an interview with Keotshepile Nompumelelo Mosweu-Mwamba, a psychotherapist, based in Maun, a door has opened to the subject of mental health, through a weekly series offering pointers gifted to help people heal and feel seen.
“My journey into mental health was born out of a deep passion to understand emotional suffering and the human experience,” Mwamba shared. “From an early age, I was drawn to helping people feel seen and understood, especially those silently battling inner struggles. Today, my passion is fueled by witnessing transformation in others, knowing that my presence and work can help someone reclaim their peace and purpose keeps me going.”
As both a psychotherapist and mental health advocate, Mwamba’s impact goes beyond clinical settings. She distinguishes the two roles: “As a psychotherapist, I offer clinical, evidence-based therapy tailored to individual emotional and psychological needs. However, being a mental health advocate extends beyond the therapy room. It involves creating awareness, educating communities, challenging stigma, and ensuring mental wellness is prioritized in every sphere of life.”
Her professional experience spans several sectors including education, healthcare, and the tourism industry. Mwamba previously served under the Ministry of Education’s Child Welfare & Skills Development unit and later moved into healthcare through the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Currently, she works with Okavango Wilderness Safaris.
Each environment, she says, has shaped her understanding of mental well-being. “Working with the Ministry of Child Welfare & Skills Development was eye-opening. I saw how early emotional challenges shape adult lives,” she noted. “In healthcare, I saw how psychological distress impacts physical health. At Okavango Wilderness Safaris, I have witnessed how staff working in remote locations struggle with isolation, pressure, and separation from families.”
These diverse experiences inform her broader mission to address critical mental health gaps in Botswana. “The biggest gaps include stigma, a lack of accessible services, and the absence of mental health education—especially in rural and professional spaces,” Mwamba explained. “Many still view mental health as taboo or attribute symptoms to spirituality without addressing the psychological roots.”
To respond, Mwamba uses therapy, public education, and corporate partnerships to normalize mental health conversations and ensure access. “Through therapy, corporate partnerships, and public education, especially through writing, I aim to close these gaps by normalizing mental health, creating access, and blending cultural relevance with psychological insight,” she said.
One of her key messages is the need to integrate mental health into everyday spaces, especially workplaces. “Mental health does not exist in isolation; it follows us into our homes, relationships, and workspaces,” she said. “Workplaces are often overlooked, yet they’re where people spend a large portion of their lives. Introducing mental health initiatives at work promotes healthier employees, reduces burnout, and improves productivity.”
When asked about the most critical subjects in mental health, Mwamba emphasised workplace stress management, trauma awareness, and self-awareness and inner healing. “With rising job-related pressures, it’s critical to equip individuals with tools to manage stress constructively,” she said, adding, “Many people carry unresolved trauma that silently influences their behavior and decisions. Healing starts with awareness.”
Looking to the future, Mwamba envisions creating more platforms that combine psychological, cultural, and spiritual insight. “My greater vision is to create platforms that inspire healing, encourage vulnerability, and integrate cultural and spiritual awareness into mental health conversations,” she said.
One such platform is her upcoming column in this publication – Whispers of Healing, which she hopes will continue to bring light to “silent places.” Her long-term goal is to establish a holistic wellness center tailored for African communities, offering therapy, group support, creative expression, and workshops centered on self-discovery.
