Former SANDF lieutenant and now occupational therapist, speaker and executive coach, Lesego Mashishi-Matlala, chats to us about her life and career.
By: Fundiswa Nkwanyana
1.What motivated you to take the roles of an occupational therapist, speaker and executive coach?
I am passionate about empowering and developing people. I love seeing them maximise their inherent skills and strengths towards achieving a quality life.
2. What does an occupational therapist do?
I analyse an individual’s occupational performance areas. I provide the necessary intervention for people suffering from any mental, physical or development condition. This enables them to function optimally in all occupational performance areas.
3. After completing your matric, you went through a youth development programme with the South African National Defence Force. How was life as a soldier?
I never thought that I would become a soldier. Going through the military skills development programme was an experience of a life time. I loved my time there. When I resigned, I was a lieutenant.
4. How did your childhood shape who you are today?
Having lived through the pain of losing both my parents at a young age, I have become more resilient. I am not easily shaken by life’s challenges, and I am not fearful of taking risks. When you have nothing left to lose, you have everything to gain.
5. How did you cope with the loss of your parents?
Having experienced lack of food, resources and finances at that time, I knew I had to strive to achieve a life of independence and abundance. I made a decision to flee from poverty after getting a taste of it.
6. You are also a mother and wife; how do you juggle all these demanding roles?
I married a liberal husband. We do not conform to traditional methods of managing a household. We break down the roles and share them equally. This ensures that we both have the equal opportunity to bond with our children, and ensure the well-being of our family, while pursuing our different business and career aspirations.
7. What motivated you to start hosting parenting workshops, and what topics do you address?
I wanted to create dialogue between medical professionals, parents and teachers so that collectively, we have a greater understanding of what to do to enhance our children’s development. I wanted to equip parents and teachers with medical and therapeutic knowledge that they can introduce in their different parenting styles for the benefit of their children.
8. How do you think technology has affected parenting and teaching?
I have seen the effects of technology first hand in my home. This is an issue that we need to address. Through my organisation Limitless Occupational Therapy Services, I will be hosting a workshop titled Technology, a friend or foe on 11 June at the Blue Valley Estate Conference Facility.
9.What is your motto?
Spread love and light in everything you do.
