Professor Veonna Goliath is a qualified social worker and clinical psychologist with more than 20 years of combined professional experience, primarily in the fields of mental health and addiction recovery. She has also dedicated 20 years to full-time academia, teaching in the disciplines of psychology and social work, before transitioning to full-time private practice as a clinical psychologist in February 2026.

 

Professor Goliath has made significant contributions to higher education, research and professional development. She has supervised more than 25 Master’s studies and three PhD candidates to completion and has published more than 12 articles in accredited academic journals. She has also presented at numerous local and international conferences and has co-facilitated the Substance Abuse Prevention: A Carefronting Approach short learning programme at more than eight higher education institutions.

 

She is a graduate of the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and Nelson Mandela University (NMU). She is also a Research Associate in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Development Professions, and serves as a practitioner-consultant to the Hope Revolution Vision. She maintains a close relationship with the University’s Engagement Office as a friend and supporter of community engagement initiatives.

 

Professor Goliath is deeply committed to supporting individuals to experience a sense of fullness and purpose in life and to encouraging people to continually rediscover and develop the best version of themselves. Her work is grounded in the belief that personal growth and self-awareness can strengthen the meaningful contributions individuals make within the communities and spaces in which they are privileged to serve.

 

Born and raised in Salt Lake in the Northern Areas, Professor Goliath attended Van der Kemp Primary School and Bethelsdorp High School. She is married to David Goliath, with whom she has two daughters, Abigail, a visual animator, and Phoebe, a second-year performing arts student.