Jenna De Gouveia Nunes

Speech & Language Therapist

* insert greetings in South Africa’s 11 official languages, plus Portuguese *

I was born and raised a Portuguese South African in the City of Gold, Johannesburg. Contrary to some beliefs, I did not ride an elephant to school but did live a life much more privileged than many South African children with the support of two hard-working parents who gave us the wings to fly.

My first “flight” took me to study in the most beautiful city in the world, Cape Town. There I attended Africa’s #1 university and, 4 years later, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with Honours. Clinical experience was a vital component in my studies from as early as our second year beginning with children.

After my studies, my next “flight” was nearer to home, where I worked in a local government hospital for a year as the Acting Head of Department for Speech and Language Therapy. I developed the department and managed a caseload of both in-patients and out-patients of varying ages (neonatal to geriatric) but, as per the demands of the community, I had a majority paediatric caseload, which is where my heart lies. Working in a multidisciplinary team too was an invaluable experience.

South Africa’s multilingual and multicultural “Rainbow Nation” has instilled in me the conscious effort to provide services that are individualistic. Working with children is not only my area of greatest experience but also that which I feel is most significant. I chose speech and language therapy (after my mermaid-aspirations ceased) to help children and their families bridge the frustrations that accompany communication difficulties. 

My latest “flight” has landed me in London. When the sun decides to come out, you’ll find me in a park taking a walk. Otherwise, I’m reading a book or trying to find the cheapest, front-row West End ticket!