Sheetal Vallabh attended Roedean School from 1986 until her Matric year in 1994. Of her experience at Roedean she says: “Roedean provided an environment in which individuality was respected, dynamic thinking encouraged, and meaningful relationships valued. This, together with a strong academic foundation served me well at university and in the working world.  I was fortunate to have inspiring teachers and great group of girls (who are now extraordinary women) to have shared my experiences with.” After matriculating from Roedean, Sheetal completed her BA, LLB at UCT and then returned to Johannesburg to serve her articles at Webber Wentzel Bowens (now, Webber Wentzel). She then went on to complete her LLM in Media Law at Wits while lecturing on a part-time basis in the Law department. She then accepted a position as an Associate at Edward Nathan and Friedland (now, Edward Nathan Sonnenburgs) in their Telecommunications, Media and Technology department. Sheetal then changed the direction of her career by studying what she felt she was really called to do – psychology. While studying psychology she continued lecturing at Wits. Sheetal then went on to complete her Masters in Clinical Psychology at UCT.

Her change in her career path has allowed her to integrate the disciplines of psychology and law as she now practices as a clinical psychologist and a family and divorce mediator. She has furthered her training in child-inclusive divorce mediations in South Africa and Australia.

 

Sheetal is affiliated to the Family Life Centre where she involved in their mediation training. She is also a founding member of the NGO, Lawyers against Abuse. She feels passionate about the protection and implementation of human rights and this will always form part of her life’s work.

 

In 2007, Sheetal was awarded the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship for her personal and academic achievements.