The History of Empilweni
An unexpected outcome of the study was that parents were educated about the nature of child and adolescent mental health problems, and as a result, parents asked us to provide services in Khayelitsha. The research team, under Professor Brian Robertson, agreed to seek funding for a demonstration project, and from 1994 to 2002 the “Empilweni Demonstration Project” was funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through the University of Cape Town.
When DFID was no longer able to continue funding the project, a decision was taken by all involved to become independent of the university and to apply for registration as an NPO. During 2002, the year of transition, a fundraiser was recruited (see picture of 2002 team), and the first director Monika Edwards was appointed to start in 2003. Some members of the research team together with members of the existing advisory Board, who represented the community, constituted the new Board, of what was now called simply “Empilweni”.
Over the next few years several developments took place. A funding base was established, which included the Western Cape Department for Social Development, who designated Empilweni as their local child and adolescent mental health agency. Staffing was restructured, with one of the counsellor posts being converted into a service manager’s post, and a satellite service was opened at Mfuleni.
When Monika Edwards indicated her intention to resign, a new director Mhongwe Mtshotshisa was appointed to start in 2009. Following her resignation in 2015, Melinda Bechus stepped in for a year until the current director William Williams was appointed in 2017. Currently the staffing complement consists of a director, a service manager, two social workers, three counsellors who are qualified social auxiliary workers, and an administrative assistant. A clinical psychologist is employed to provide supervision on a part-time basis.