By Hazel Namponya
We call her ‘the Queen of Trauma’ because of her passion and drive for a healed nation. Mogapi is a Clinical Psychologist who has a passion for providing and understanding the psychosocial healing of individuals, institutions, and collectives. She is the CEO of Centre for Mental Wellness and Leadership, a vehicle she profoundly uses to correlate trauma and mental wellness and sets it as a bedrock for trauma-informed leadership, working with organisations, leaders, and their teams through mentally resilient interventions.
CAM: Thank you for joining us on Collective Action Magazine, where we are all about gender-based violence. I’m excited, and so is my team, to be talking to you because you are the expert when it comes to trauma, which is the basis of many of the emails we receive after encountering tragedy. Trauma is an angle of mental wellness that is not well understood or even spoken about. So, in this edition, we wanted to talk more about trauma and how we can heal from it. When we identify the root cause, it becomes easier for us to navigate the healing space. This is the conversation we want to have with you today. I mean, you’re an acclaimed psychologist, and this is your area of expertise, so we’re thrilled to have you on Collective Action Magazine.
Nomfundo: Thanks, it’s truly an honour to be here. This is something that’s really close to my heart. It’s not just work; it’s about people. So, it’s an honour to be part of this. Thank you for having me here. And congratulations. It’s only going to be beneficial if we work together as a collective to address this pandemic of gender-based violence. So, I’m really excited to be a part of this collective that is trying to make a difference.
CAM: We want to know more about you. Tell us a bit about your background.
Nomfundo: Okay, so Nomfundo Mogapi is my name. As you mentioned, by training, I am a clinical psychologist. I started an organisation called the Centre for Mental Wellness and Leadership (CMWLThe reason I started this organisation is that, as a psychologist who has worked in the fields of violence, peacebuilding, and sexual and gender-based violence, and also working with government agencies and NGOs, I realised that there is a significant missing piece in our interventions and programming, as well as in how we work as organisations. It was crucial to understand how trauma impacts the work we do. So, I’m here to help individuals, organisations, and leaders identify trauma and learn how to transform it. This way, it won’t undermine their best intentions and interfere with the outcomes that people envision.
CAM: Now that you’ve spoken about trauma, what is trauma?
Nomfundo: I think the question is very important because, as you said, it also pertains to healing. The beginning of healing is awareness and awakening. In our society, many people don’t even realise they are carrying trauma. So, to address it broadly, I want to touch on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are two key aspects to trauma. The first one is external, which relates to the experience itself and its nature. In the field of trauma, there is a tendency to medicalise it, stemming from its emergence after World War Two. However, some of us advocate for a broader understanding. Essentially, trauma refers to an environment where an experience is life-threatening, sudden, and psychologically challenging. It’s not just about physical threats; it can also violate your sense of integrity and boundaries.
The second aspect is the internal experience, which involves how you personally experience the trauma. In classic trauma, there are feelings of terror and fear during the traumatic event. I believe this distinction is important because it’s not just about what you go through; it’s also about how you respond. Two people can go through the same event, but one may be traumatised while the other isn’t, due to various influencing factors.
For me, the broader definition of trauma relates to the Greek word that signifies an injury to the soul. So, a traumatic experience is one that inflicts injury upon our psyche or soul. This injury affects how we perceive things, respond to situations, and show up in the world. There are various symptoms associated with trauma, but I consider three classic symptoms worth noting.
The first symptom is re-experiencing the trauma. It’s different from simply thinking about a painful past event. When you re-experience trauma, you are transported back to the moment it occurred, and the pain feels fresh. For example, someone in their forties might recall a traumatic experience from their childhood and be instantly transported back to being that ten-year-old girl, feeling the intensity of the pain again.
The second symptom cluster involves attempts to avoid the trauma. This includes avoiding anything that reminds you of the traumatic event. I often discuss the concept of triggering when I train people. Triggers can be anything that stimulates your senses—sounds, smells, or visuals—that remind you of the trauma and transport you back there. For instance, encountering someone who looks like the person involved in the trauma might lead to a conversation that triggers memories and emotions.
The reaction to the intense pain of re-experiencing trauma is to try and avoid it. This leads to avoidance behaviours such as avoiding certain conversations, relationships, or anything that may trigger the traumatic experience. It’s crucial to understand this because, when struggling with trauma, and I believe most of us in South Africa have experienced trauma, you tend to oscillate between intrusion and avoidance. This constant movement between the two consumes psychological energy, leaving you depleted and unable to focus on important aspects of life or work. So, your day-to-day functioning can be significantly affected by trauma. For children, it may impact their schooling. The final cluster of symptoms is hyperarousal, which means your nervous system is constantly on high alert. You may feel constantly irritable, easily scared, or reactive to any sudden noise. These are the broad clusters associated with trauma, but there are many more symptoms within each cluster.
In my work, I focus on helping people understand that in traumatised contexts, we often deal with multiple layers of trauma. Some may have experienced prolonged trauma or repeated trauma at a personal level, which adds complexity. There’s also the concept of collective trauma, where groups of people or societies can experience trauma and respond in traumatic ways. For example, as a country, we may experience collective trauma triggered by events such as a sudden shutdown, leading to fear and potential violence. Historical trauma is another aspect, as individuals can carry the unresolved pain of previous generations. This work is crucial because the intensity of our pain can be intertwined with the pain of our ancestors, impacting future generations.
Additionally, trauma can be embedded within our systems and structures. We often overlook structural trauma, where institutions and organisations may perpetuate traumatisation. For instance, the treatment of women in hospitals can be traumatic in and of itself. This is an overview of what we mean when we talk about trauma.
CAM: Thank you for explaining the broad clusters. I understood that for someone who is aware of their trauma, it’s easier for triggers to affect them. However, what about those who do not remember what happened? They may have experienced something when they were very young, and their mind has blocked the memory. Yet, they continue to experience the effects of the trauma. What type of trauma is this, and how can a person recognise that they have been traumatised or are struggling with trauma?
Nomfundo: That’s a crucial question, and I’m glad you brought up the concept of unlocking trauma. The medulla, the term I use to refer to the brainstem, specifically the reptilian brain, where our survival instincts reside, is responsible for our fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses when faced with a threat or traumatic experience. When trauma occurs, these responses get activated, and the memory of the trauma gets stored in the body.
To unlock trauma, we need to engage the medulla and release the stored energy and emotions associated with the trauma. One technique that can help with this is somatic experiencing. Somatic experiencing is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the body’s physical sensations and allows the body to complete the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses that may have been interrupted during the traumatic event.
By tuning into the body and its sensations, we can begin to notice any areas of tension, discomfort, or blocked energy. Through gentle exploration and guidance from a trained professional, we can gradually release and discharge the stored energy in a safe and regulated manner. This process allows the nervous system to reset and restore balance.
Another powerful tool in unlocking trauma is through storytelling and narrative therapy. Sharing our stories and experiences in a supportive and empathetic environment can help us gain insights, make connections, and bring awareness to the trauma we may have forgotten or repressed. By giving voice to our experiences, we can begin to integrate and make meaning of them, which is essential for the healing process.
It’s important to note that unlocking trauma is a gradual and individualised journey. It requires patience, self-compassion, and the support of trusted professionals or a supportive community. The process may involve various therapeutic modalities, including body-based approaches, talk therapy, expressive arts, and mindfulness practices.
CAM: Let’s step into the healing space. You ran a mentorship programme called Black Womxn in Leadership. Many women and men in leadership are active in society but we carry a lot of wounding. What are some of the classical signs, traits, or manifestations of trauma wounding?
Nomfundo: That’s an important question, and I’m glad you brought up the topic of women in leadership. When it comes to women in leadership roles, there can be signs that indicate they are carrying trauma. It’s important to note that these signs can vary from person to person, but there are some common patterns to look out for.
One sign is the constant need for validation and approval. Trauma can create a deep sense of insecurity and self-doubt, leading to a constant seeking of external validation to feel worthy or competent. This can manifest as seeking recognition and praise for every accomplishment or being overly concerned with others’ opinions.
Another sign is the difficulty in setting boundaries and saying no. Women who have experienced trauma may struggle with asserting themselves and prioritising their own needs. They may have a fear of disappointing others or facing rejection, which can lead to an inability to establish healthy boundaries in work or personal relationships.
Perfectionism is another common sign. Trauma can create a belief that one’s worth is tied to achievements and performance. Women in leadership roles may put immense pressure on themselves to excel in every aspect of their work, often at the expense of their well-being. This perfectionistic mindset can be exhausting and unsustainable.
Avoidance and numbing behaviours can also be indicators of trauma. Some women may engage in behaviours such as overworking, excessive busyness, or substance abuse to avoid facing and processing painful emotions associated with their trauma. These coping mechanisms provide temporary relief but hinder true healing.
In the community space, signs of trauma in men can include emotional disconnection or emotional volatility. Men who have experienced trauma may struggle to express their emotions or have difficulty managing intense feelings, leading to emotional numbness or outbursts of anger or irritability.
Isolation and withdrawal from social interactions can also be signs of trauma in men. They may distance themselves from others to protect themselves from further pain or to avoid triggering situations. This can result in a sense of loneliness and disconnection.
It’s important to remember that these signs are not definitive proof of trauma, as they can also be influenced by other factors. However, if someone displays these signs, it may be beneficial to explore the possibility of underlying trauma and provide them with appropriate support and resources.
CAM: Thank you, Nomfundo, for shedding light on the signs that may indicate trauma in women in leadership roles and men within the community space.
Nomfundo: Yes, it’s important to recognise the intersectionality of trauma, particularly when considering patriarchy and racism. These experiences can contribute to historical trauma, and for black women, there is an added layer of pain due to the combination of these oppressions. Patriarchy sends a message that women are lesser, attacking our sense of worth and causing soul wounds. This can result in narcissistic injury, where individuals find different ways to protect themselves from the pain.
One way to protect oneself is through posturing and aggressive behaviour, known as an inflated ego. On the other hand, some may adopt a deflated ego, compromising boundaries and allowing others to take advantage, sometimes fluctuating between the two. Our society, influenced by patriarchy, often pushes women towards operating from a deflated ego. This can lead to feelings of imposter syndrome, where women in positions of power don’t fully embrace their authority and struggle with a sense of belonging.
Understanding the impact of patriarchy is crucial. Engaging in trauma work allows us to drop judgment and appreciate the challenges faced by women in positions of power in a deeply wounded and patriarchal society. It requires analysing and challenging negative messages about ourselves and our worth. Stepping into power can reveal the depth of our wounds, as power exposes narcissistic injury. Leadership shines a spotlight on us, making it difficult to hide.
Supporting women in power means moving away from judgment and exploring ways to provide coaching and assistance. We need to acknowledge the influence of patriarchy and racism, which can lead to assimilation and losing one’s authentic self. It’s common to feel pressure to conform to the expectations of those in power, which can be a challenge when success requires aligning with a mainstream that may view women as either weak or overly aggressive.
In my own experience, I struggled in my 20s, feeling invisible as I attempted to emulate those in power. It took some time for me to realise that I had lost sight of myself. It’s essential to create spaces that honour and support the unique experiences of black women in leadership, understanding the complexities they face in a wounded context.
That’s why I was thrilled when the mental wellness initiative began to support black women executives, recognising the intricate dynamics of being a leader in such a context.
When it comes to leadership, the focus of my organisation is twofold. Firstly, it is about helping people become mentally well and transforming trauma. We provide skills and tools to identify, respond to, and transform trauma. Secondly, I emphasise leadership because I believe it plays a crucial role in our context. There is deep-seated leadership wounding at various levels, and I see two places where solutions can emerge: at the family level and the leadership level. Transforming families and addressing wounded leadership is vital.
I often discuss the concept of wounded leadership in a traumata context. It is essential to ensure that our personal wounds do not hinder the work we want to accomplish. Many of us who work in spaces like sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are survivors ourselves. There is something personal that draws us to this work. However, if we are not aware, our own wounds can impact the organisations we create and the work we do. This is similar to what has happened in South Africa, where passionate individuals helped build the country but carried their wounds into leadership roles. If these wounds are not healed and leaders continue to operate from a place of bleeding, it affects the country as a whole. This is why we witness the issues we see today. It is a delicate area where empathy needs to be activated without judgment, while also recognising the cost of doing this work.
CAM: Speaking of SGBV, your recently released findings state that Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape region in South Africa, has been labelled the rape capital of South Africa, which is quite alarming. I recall reading a report by SAPS at the end of last year, where rape and sexual assaults were identified as the most common and highest-reported forms of gender-based violence. How has Lusikisiki become the rape capital?
Nomfundo: Yeah, it has been an honour to be part of this project. We collaborated with the Old Mutual Foundation, and I want to express my gratitude to Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Ms. Nocawe Mafu, for addressing us and speaking with Lhasa from Old Mutual. She expressed her concern about what is happening in the Lusikisiki. The communities there face unique challenges as women, even though they are still connected to their traditional village roots despite rapid urbanisation. We were surprised to find that the 16-year-old age group had the highest incidence of sexual and gender-based violence while Thohoyandou ranked fifth based on the statistics, we obtained during the summit in November 2022. This led her to request our assistance.
Most of my work revolves around trauma-informed approaches to SGBV. It is important to distinguish between trauma-focused SGBV and trauma-informed SGBV. Trauma-focused work involves understanding trauma, supporting survivors in their healing process, and capacitating organisations involved in this field. There are several organisations doing this work that also need support and training in trauma. The trauma-informed approach, on the other hand, acknowledges that everyone, including staff members, managers, and board members, has been affected by trauma. It requires applying a trauma lens in all aspects, from working with survivors to developing policies and engaging with the board. We were invited to provide this work in Lusikisiki.