Advocating for the Protectors: PhD Graduate’s Mission to Support South Africa’s Police
Graduating with a PhD in Criminology and Forensic Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is not only a pinnacle of academic success for Dr Thandanani Ngidi, but also a deeply personal and purposeful journey rooted in justice, compassion and her own lived experience.
Now a lecturer in the College of Law within the Department of Corrections Management at the University of South Africa (Unisa), Ngidi’s work is driven by a commitment to social justice and meaningful change. Her doctoral research, which explores support systems available to police officers within the South African Police Service (SAPS), shines a critical light on the often-overlooked mental and emotional well-being of those tasked with protecting society.
Her inspiration began at home. “My father is a dedicated policeman, and watching him serve every day motivated me to explore this field,” she explains.
That personal connection would later shape her study, ‘An Exploration of the Support Systems Available to South African Police Officers, Visible Policing and the Investigation Division: A Study of Durban Central Office, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’. The research gives voice to the lived realities of officers working in high-pressure environments such as Durban Central.
Through a qualitative, phenomenological approach, Ngidi uncovered the profound psychological toll experienced by officers, particularly those in Visible Policing and Investigation Division units. While Visible Policing officers are often first responders to traumatic crime scenes, facing public pressure and exposure to violence, investigators carry the weight of piecing together complex cases, often reliving trauma through interviews and evidence gathering.
Across both divisions, one theme remained constant: limited access to meaningful support. “Officers are exposed to trauma daily, yet many feel their mental well-being is not a priority,” she says. Her findings reveal that while structures such as Employee Health and Wellness programmes exist, they are often inaccessible, reactive, or perceived as ineffective. Stigma surrounding mental health further discourages officers from seeking help.
Perhaps most striking was the emotional resignation she encountered.
“Many officers have made peace with the idea that their mental health is not prioritised,” Ngidi reflects. “Some suffer in silence, while others turn to informal support or unhealthy coping mechanisms.”
Her research calls for a shift towards more holistic, proactive and accessible support systems including ongoing mental health interventions, the de-stigmatisation of psychological care, and an organisational culture that prioritises well-being.
She argues that supporting police officers is not only a matter of individual care, but is also essential to building safer, more effective communities.
Completing her PhD was itself a journey marked by resilience and motivation. Ngidi credits both her father and her young son, Lunele, as her greatest sources of strength.
“While I was collecting data, I was pregnant,” she shares. “There were moments when it was difficult, but I felt like we were doing it together. He gave me the strength to keep going.”
She also pays tribute to her supervisor, Professor Shanta Balgobind Singh, whom she affectionately calls ‘Mama Singh’.
“She has been more than a supervisor, she has been a pillar of support, both academically and emotionally,” Ngidi says.
As she steps into the next chapter of her academic and professional journey, Ngidi remains committed to advocacy, research and community engagement. Her message is clear: meaningful change begins with understanding, and with giving a voice to those who often suffer in silence.
“I want to be remembered as someone who planted seeds of change,” she says. “Because one day, those seeds will grow into a more just and equal society.”
Words: Lorna Charles–Wright
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
