In DiCHiPi UNFiLTERED, we’re joined by mental health expert, Dr. Batetshi Matenge, who dives deep into the importance of mental well-being

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Curious, compassionate, and committed — Dr Batetshi Matenge is a clinical psychologist making waves across South Africa, Botswana, and the United Kingdom. With registrations in all three countries, her work blends deep clinical expertise with a fierce dedication to community healing and empowerment.

From a young age, Dr Matenge was driven by a simple yet profound question: “Why do people behave the way they do?” Her childhood curiosity wasn’t just a phase — it was the spark that lit the path to her career. “I was always fascinated by how two people could grow up in the same home, yet become completely different individuals,” she reflects. This innate drive to understand the human mind led her straight into the world of psychology.

While studying for her BA, a chance conversation with a lecturer became a life-defining moment. He saw her potential and told her she’d become a psychologist — and he didn’t just stop there. He mentored her all the way through to her master’s degree at the prestigious University of Cape Town. Since then, Dr Matenge has earned several postgraduate qualifications and built a thriving career in clinical psychology.

But her impact goes far beyond the therapy room

Dr Matenge is a passionate advocate for mental health access and educational equity. In 2017, she founded an education foundation focused on empowering disadvantaged adolescent girls — helping them claim their right to education and a brighter future. Her advocacy extends to some of the country’s most difficult mental health crises. As part of the team responding to the Life Esidimeni tragedy, she played a crucial role in supporting affected families and contributing to the legal case that followed — work that earned international recognition. In 2019, she and her team were honoured with a Community Award in Psychoanalysis and Law at the International Psychoanalysis Association conference in the UK.

Whether she’s offering support in the clinic, standing up for justice, or mentoring the next generation, Dr Matenge embodies what it means to lead with heart and purpose.

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