Our Story
IMERSE is a leading non-governmental organization focused on promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorders in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Established in 2013, IMERSE was formed as a response to numerous reports of mental health distress and suicide. Drawing from models developed in low-resource settings throughout the world, IMERSE has worked to provide key stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage mental health issues that arise within communities
We have worked with nurses, health care outreach workers, teachers, student leaders, government and community leaders, and the general public. IMERSE representatives have appeared on Swazi television, radio, newspapers, and on social media to spread awareness, information, and necessary mental health skills throughout the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Our Vision
A world where people are knowledgeable about mental health, are equipped with relevant skills to take charge of their mental health and are supportive of those affected with mental disorders .
Our Mission
Promote mental health by building capacity of individuals, families, and communities in their surroundings to be able to:
Identify and deliver front-line mental healthcare to an individual developing or in a mental health crisis;
Support those suffering from mental health problems.
IMERSE's Board and Staff
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled board members and staff are the backbone of IMERSE. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. Read on to learn more about our incredible team members.
Dr. Qhing Qhing Dlamini
Board Chair
Dr Qhing Qhing Dlamini is a medical doctor and public health specialist with over 35 years of experience in health systems strengthening (HSS), maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) and disease prevention & control (HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria). She holds a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degree from the University of Natal in South Africa and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of California, Berkeley, USA.
Dr Dlamini has worked in several senior management positions in the Ministry of Health, Swaziland, where she retired as Director of Health Services, and over the years with several international agencies and development partners in her home country and outside. She has worked for the World Health Organization as MCH/FP Adviser based in Zimbabwe and for the Commonwealth Secretariat, London as Special Adviser and Head of the Health Department, based in the United Kingdom. Since December 2000 to date, Dr Dlamini has been working as a Health Development Consultant and Public Health Specialist in sub-Saharan Africa with a variety of development agencies in HIV & AIDS, TB, Malaria and most recently COVID-19; MCH/FP/PHC and HSS. She serves in a number of Boards including the Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS), and the Swaziland Network for Early Childhood Development (SNECD).
Dr. Jonathan Dlamini
Vice Chiar
Dr Jonathan Dlamini is a private physician, running a private practice at Lulama Clinic in Manzini. Dr. Dlamini is also a trained psychiatric nurse, and other physicians commonly refer patients with psychiatric needs to Dr. Dlamini. Dr. Dlamini is a vocal advocate for mental health in Swaziland, and has spoken on Swazi radio about mental health. Dr. Dlamini serves on the FLAS Board.
Danicia Phiri
Board Treasurer
Ms Phiri is an Information systems analyst in the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Eswatini. She works as an information systems coordinator for the strategic Information department in the Ministry. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Eswatini and a Master of Science in Information Technology Management (MscIT) from the Carnegie Mellon University in Adelaide, Australia.
Sizakele Dlamini
IMERSE Board Member
Sizakele Dlamini is currently an Industrial-Organisational Psychologist and the Head of Psychology Department at Eswatini Medical Christian University. She holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial-Organisational Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Bachelor of Psychology Honours in Industrial psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Industrial Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
She has been affiliated at PSHACC (Public Sector HIV/AIDS Coordinating Committee). This is a subunit of the Ministry of Public Service in Swaziland that promotes a healthy and productive workforce that effectively delivers public services. She has been involved in facilitating several workshops to the Swaziland Teaching Service Commission on employee wellness. She is a consultant at Logotherapy Health and Wellness Consultancy, as well as at Viwa Psychology services.
Lomagugu Dlamini
IMERSE Board Member
A seasoned and experienced psychiatric nurse who has worked at the National Psychiatric Referral Hospital, Mbabane Clinic, Raleigh Fitkins Memorial Hospital, Mkhiwa Clinic and Botswana’s Molepolole clinic. She works as a counselling nurse at Philani Clinic and offer psychiatric counselling across various private and public clinics in the country. She attends to clients referred by several organizations, clinics and individuals from the public and private sector. She also conducts organizational wellness programs.
Vumile Dlamini
IMERSE Board Member
A holder of Bachelor of Education degree, from the University of Eswatini, Ms. Vumile Dlamini is a Field Supervisor at the Sebenta National Institute (SNI) where she coordinates countrywide SNI field operations, providing Non-Formal Education and functional literacy for vulnerable groups (including children, adolescents and young people) and carrying out data collection and analysis on enrollment in SNI classes highlighting, distribution of learners according to geographical location, ages, programmes and gender.
She had previously worked as a consultant with UNICEF, Life Skills Education, provided guidance to the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, on Innovative community based programmes supporting children (especially OVCs).
She has also been closely involved with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth and NGO partners on the Education sector’s response to HIV with a focus on development, implementation and monitoring of various programs that are aimed at HIV prevention for in and out of school children, adolescents and young people and supported the Ministry of Education and partners in the design, implementation and monitoring of innovative Life Skills for HIV prevention initiatives.
A member of several Technical Working Groups including the Ministry of Health coordinated ASRH Technical Working Group, the Ministry of Education and Training’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education Technical Working Group and an advocate for comprehensive HIV prevention programs through the dissemination of findings from findings from international and national surveys (e.g. DHS, MICS and SACMEQ).
She is a member of the Management and Advisory Board of the Common Wealth Youth Programme being implemented by the Swaziland National Youth Council in partnership with the Ministry of Education and other partners in selected schools.
Lungile Dlamini
IMERSE Board Member
A learning and development specialist, specializing in management of training, with over 10 years industry experience in talent development. Lungile Dlamini has an experience in human resources management, training and development Quality Management Systems.
She holds a BA Honors in Human Resources Development, BA Degree in Psychology. She also holds a Life Coach Practitioner Diploma.
She is a founder of Achievers; a community for young people going through a mentorship program that covers career guidance and other life skills programs.
Mbongeni Hlophe
IMERSE Program Coordinator and Board Secretary
A compassionate and technically skilled mental health advocate and practitioner who effectively engages with children, young people, families and communities for positive change, Mbongeni Hlophe holds a Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) from the Eswatini Medical Christian University and holds a certificate in children and adolescents’ special needs: Early identification and management.
Mbongeni has served as a Programs Officer at the Swaziland Network for Early Childhood Development (SNECD), where he advocated for the prioritization of a holistic Early Childhood Development (ECD) at the community level and nationally. Mbongeni has organized and facilitated community sensitization and advocacy outreach activities, coordination meetings, and ECD practitioners’ capacity building workshops.
He is a member of the rural health motivators (RHM) team and civil society’s organizations umbrella body, CANGO (Coordination Assembly for NGOs)’s Noncommunicable disease Consortium.