Vibrant Mercy Sepadi, 29, the Operational Manager at Region F’s Environmental Health Directorate, is among the Mail & Guardian (M&G) newspaper’s highly acclaimed 200 Young South African leaders to watch out for in 2022. Each year, the weekly investigative newspaper asks its readers to nominate young people under the age of 35 who have achieved extraordinary success and are outstanding in their fields.
The prestigious list, which is published once a year, recognises talent in the fields of arts and culture, politics and government, education, the environment, business, civil society, film and media, health, justice and law, science and technology, and sport.
The M&G’s coveted accolade celebrates young people — as the architects of South Africa's inclusive and equal future — who positively impact the world through future-focused innovation and passion, recognising them as the leaders of the current generation.
She was nominated for being a trailblazer in environmental health. Her job entails overseeing the work of 27 employees, including five Environmental Health Practitioners, two Pollution Control Officers, and 20 Pest Control Officers.
Sepadi graduated from the University of Johannesburg with a BTech degree in Environmental Health and a Master’s in Public Health, the first in her family to do so. She is currently pursuing a PhD in health sciences with UJ, “assessing the respiratory health risk and impacts amongst informal street food vendors in Johannesburg, South Africa”.
Her vision is to bring commitment, integrity, and competitiveness to the workplace while contributing to the growth of the industry she works in. She enjoys her work and strives to add value wherever she finds herself.
“Difficulties come in various forms, but as a person, you need to find ways to keep on going and to motivate yourself while at it,” she says.
Sepadi has published four academic articles in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her research findings at various international conferences. Her knowledge has earned her positions as a tutor, moderator, guest lecturer, and dissertation examiner for the Bachelor of Environmental Health and Master of Public Health programmes.
“As women, we need to continue aiming for leadership positions. Our situation is mostly understood by us. If we do not occupy strategic positions, we will forever struggle to be heard,” she says.
She is part of a mentorship programme that runs between Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra and Saint Stithians High School in Sandton. The project is designed to bring together pupils from various socioeconomic backgrounds to share their experiences and form friendships.
Her mentorship project also focuses on improving pupils’ self-assurance and well-being. She serves as a role model by exposing students to a variety of stimulating environments.
“Rather than a predetermined expectation to live up to, the programme strives to create positive motivational experiences for learners to imagine the possibilities they can live with,” she says.
Sepadi’s engagements have extended beyond the borders of the country. She is a member of the Women’s Economic Imperative, a global initiative to empower women to achieve economic equality by maximising their potential in the global labour force and as entrepreneurs.
She is also a member of Pan African Women in Health, which brings together leaders who share a common goal to increase and improve women’s opportunities as well as develop the next generation of African female health leaders and actors.
“The next generation of women should not go through the struggles the women of today are going through,” she says.
Sepadi has established a WhatsApp group that assists struggling graduates find work opportunities. She also helps graduates with their CVs and interview preparations. Many of these graduates came to her through lecturers, friends, and families. She has helped a lot of people find jobs through her initiative.
Follow Sepadi on Twitter – @marcispady
Written by Lesego Lala
02/08/2022
