The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) mourns the passing of Professor Josephine Naidoo, who was awarded the distinguished honour of PsySSA Fellow in 2018. At the time of her passing, she was a Professor Emerita in the Department of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. South African born and Wits University educated, Professor Naidoo was initially a school teacher in Durban and later spent a few years lecturing in Psychology at Pius XII University College in Lesotho.
During the late 1950s, Professor Naidoo sought to connect with fellow psychologists in South Africa and applied for membership in the then-prevailing South African Psychological Association (SAPA). However, she was denied membership because of her skin colour. Unwilling to accept this racial injustice, she travelled to Johannesburg to confront the president of the association, only to find that the association remained steadfast in its support of apartheid policies.
Undeterred, Professor Naidoo’s pursuit of knowledge and justice led her to receive a scholarship to the University of Illinois. Shortly after, she relocated to Canada, where she built a remarkable career in cross-cultural psychology. Ironically, five years after her application was rejected, SAPA’s successor, the Psychological Association of South Africa (PASA), recognised the need for transformation and sought to include a Black member in order to meet the membership requirements of the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS). By this time, however, Professor Naidoo had already left the country, further highlighting the missed opportunities for apartheid-era South African Psychology to evolve earlier.
Professor Josephine Naidoo will forever hold a place in the history of South African Psychology as a trailblazer, and serves as an enduring inspiration to future generations, demonstrating that no barrier—whether personal or systemic—can obstruct the path of progress and success. PsySSA extends its heartfelt condolences to Professor Naidoo’s family and loved ones, wishing them strength and comfort during this difficult time.