Biography
Hailing from the small town of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, Bomikazi Lupindo is a Clinical Psychologist and Rhodes Scholar (South Africa-at-Large constituency) currently pursuing a DPhil in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. She completed her undergraduate and honours degrees in psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal with first-class distinctions and earned her master’s degree at the University of Cape Town with upper second-class honours. Alongside her academic pursuits, Bomikazi continues to work as a trauma-focused psychologist, bringing her expertise to individuals and communities in need.
With extensive clinical experience across public health and correctional systems, Bomikazi has worked with children, families, adolescents, and adults, particularly those impacted by trauma. Her research and professional interests lie at the intersection of trauma and forensic psychology. Her DPhil focuses on developing interventions to address the impact of adolescents' exposure to community and school violence, a pressing issue in many South African communities.
Bomikazi is deeply committed to the transformative power of mental health in fostering critical consciousness, empowerment, and societal change. Passionate about improving access to mental health services for minority and vulnerable groups, she co-founded Mind Matters NPO, an organization dedicated to mental health advocacy, education, and capacity building. Through Mind Matters, Bomikazi provides psychoeducation, combats mental health stigma, and implements school-based interventions to support youth and young adults. She also leverages social media platforms to extend her advocacy work and amplify awareness around mental health.
With an empathetic, collaborative, and thoughtful approach, Bomikazi works tirelessly to create sustainable, community-driven solutions to pressing social challenges, guided by her vision of a more inclusive and equitable future.