somatology

SOMATOLOGY

Somatology is the science that deals with the physiological and anatomical study of the human body. This field of career has acquired a professional recognition from the South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP). I had an interview with a 26 years old professional who is working in this field, Phumudzo Mapheba-Ramasindi.

At the moment Phumudzo holds a managerial position at Moloko Strathavon hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. She Went to Maebani primary school and completed her matric at Kutama secondary school. She then went to study in Cape Town at Cape Technikon where she studied a 3 year National Diploma in Somatology. “In high school I was not sure what I wanted to do, but I have always being very fussy about my skin, always wanted to make sure my skin is looking good, then One day I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and that’s were I discovered there is a career like this one. This was during the time when I was still in high school. I then decided I want to do something related to skin care. I went and did more research on this field, what it’s all about, where and how long will it take me to do a qualification in that”

“When I completed my diploma I went to work at a cruise ship where I worked for Steiner (a beauty company, based in England). Steiner has a contract with a cruise line company and they recruit graduates from beauty school to go work on cruise ships. They used to do presentations at our school and that’s when I got the opportunity to apply for a training with them. When my training application was approved I had to go do the training courses in London. Immediately after my training I joined a cruise ship that was on a world cruise, I went to Europe before crossing over to America and then the Caribbean. The best experience was when I got allocated a world cruise tour in 2009, I flew to Los-Angeles and that’s when I travelled the whole world. By the time, I was doing massage, manicure and pedicure, waxing and facial therapy. I then got a special contract and was only concentrated on Facial therapy which is my specialisation and my personal favourite, as I am more of a skin treatment specialist as compared to the other fields”

Phumudzo also indicated that a career in Somatology offers multiple working opportunities, and this is evident from the path she travelled. “I have changed spectrum in my career, from a more hands-on approach to the management side of things.

“With an academic background in Somatology one can qualify and become a nail-expert, massage therapist, skin care therapist or even combine all those depending on where you are working”. For those who are business orientated you can also start your own salon or go as big as opening your own spa, gyms and health clubs. “Some also venture into working with plastic surgeons and dermatologists (at beauty clinics), and even as make-up artist (For television productions)”

A National Diploma in Somatology is also offered at other institutions such as the University of Johannesburg and the Durban University of Technology. In the 3 years of study you do subjects such as Applied Biological Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology, Aroma and body Therapy, Diathermy (Epilation), Facial Therapy, Reflecology Level, Biotics, Reflexology, Socio-Psychology, Soma-techniques etc, so this requires a love for biology amongst other subjects. The course incorporate both the theoretical and practical training before one goes to do a 1 year in service training. However an academic qualification is not only limited to a national diploma but one can go as far as acquiring a B-tech (Somatology degree) which is adding one more year to the program.

“I love working with a wide variety of people, which can be a bit challenging because people like good result, especially if they are paying a lot of money for it, but  good communication skills, empathy and tact” comes in handy with this type of a career” .

We hope this will help someone out there who is also considering a career in Somatology or other related fields and we would like to thank Phumudzo for making time to chart to us.

Bursaries related to Somatology and Institution contacts (2012)

·         John Deere Educational Trust Bursary Scheme (31 October 2011)

                Bursary enquiries: John Deere Educational, Bursary Depot, PO Box 32597, Braamfontein, 2017

·         SAWISE Hope Scholarship (30 November 2011)

                  PO Box 34085, Rhodes Gift, Cape Town, 7707, Jacquie.greenberg@uct.ac.za, www.sawise.org.za

·         Ekhuruleni Metropolitan Municipality Bursary Scheme (30 September 2011)

                 Enquiries: Tel: (011) 861-2440 / Corporate ETD, P.O. Box 4, ALBERTON, 1540. www.ekurhekeni.gov.za

·         Gauteng Department of Health Bursary Scheme (30 September 2011)

                  Development & Employee Wellness, Bursary Section, Private Bag x085, Marshalltown, 2107,www.gov.za

·         The Faculty Officer, Cape Technikon,

PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000. Tel. (021) 460-3176

·         SA Institute of Health and Beauty Therapists and SA Association of Health and Skincare Pro0fessionals, www.saahsp.co.za PO Box 318, Pinegowrie, 2123. Tel (011) 787-8709.

·         Department of Somatology. Durban University of Technology
PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, Tel: 031 373 2408, sharlf@dut.ac.za

·         University of Johannesburg Doornfontein Clinic, Health Training Centre 

Tel: +27 (0)11 559 6525, somaclinic@uj.ac.za, www.uj.ac.za