Tag: Empowerment

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Suki Goodman, the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town, who also leads the Future of Work research programme under the South African Research Chair: Creation of Decent Work and Sustainable Livelihood. For the past three decades Prof. Goodman has progressively risen through the academic ranks at the University of Cape Town becoming Dean of the Faculty of Commerce in 2022. As a registered organisational psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), holding PhD, master’s and honours degrees in organisational psychology she strives to create a working environment that is life affirming and structured to maximise human potential. It is vital for institutions of higher learning to work with industry and government partners to develop qualifications that produce graduates that are fit for the world of work.    We discuss the role of universities as incubators of disrupters to nurture future innovators that will impact the world. Public institutions carry a massive responsibility to contribute to developing active conscientized analytical skilled citizens for the economy and society. We need to develop thought leaders, problem solvers, truth seekers, knowledge producers, as well as artists, dreamers and philosophers.   As a woman in leadership with a family, Prof. Goodman demonstrates how she consciously navigates between being a present parent and fulfilling her professional mandate, shifting constantly between these roles to ensure they receive the attention they deserve. She imparts some important words of wisdom, namely that building one’s self-belief is a fundamental lever to success; listening to what you want for you as opposed to what other people want for you, and taking the driver seat to control your narrative to the best of your ability; and surrounding yourself with people who are worthy of you.

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March 29, 2023

Prof. Suki Goodman – Dean Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Suki Goodman, the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town, who also leads the Future of Work research programme under...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Resia Pretorius, Department Head and Distinguished Research Professor in the Physiological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, at Stellenbosch University. She is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool. Additionally, she is Managing Director of BioCODE Technologies. Prof. Pretorius highlights the diverse research areas in her department that focus on a variety of illnesses and methodologies to study various conditions and identify solutions for them. Prof. Pretorius’s research centres on blood and blood related diseases, and more recently on clotting pathology in patients with Covid and long-Covid. We discuss the commercialisation of research and innovations at universities, acknowledging access to resources from a variety of institutional disciplines to support development, whether it be legal advice for patents or business skills to operate companies. For example, BioCODE Technologies, a spin of company of the University of Stellenbosch develops point-of-care smart sensing solutions that detect novel circulating inflammatory molecules in the blood. BioCODE also provides a place for students to have their first experience in industry and prepare them for the external job market. Women are making an impact in STEM, notably in physiological sciences. Although they may be equipped with the skills and capabilities they need access to opportunities to realise their full potential. To help women on their career paths Prof. Pretorius advises seeking out a mentor that is in or near your field of interest for support, direction and networking; she also recommends learning how to market yourself and speak the language of your prospective employer; going for interview training to present and sell yourself and create demand for your skills and services with a potential employer. In closing Prof. Pretorius reflects on the value of keeping an open mind, “to join the dots” in new ways and derive new outcomes. She also embodies that sentiment that if you find your passion and make it your vocation you will never “work” a day in your life, because you enjoy what you are doing. Tune in for more…

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March 8, 2023

Prof. Resia Pretorius – Head Physiological Sciences – Stellenbosch University

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Resia Pretorius, Department Head and Distinguished Research Professor in the Physiological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, at S...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Microsoft South Africa Lillian Barnard. Microsoft has a market capitalisation in the region of USD 1.78 trn, ranking second in the world. It owns multiple subsidiaries, including LinkedIn, Skype and Xbox, and approximately 1.4bn people across the globe use one or more Microsoft products or service. Ms Barnard shares some of her career milestones. She also notes a few of the challenges she experienced working in a male dominated ICT industry, and shares how women can overcome these issues. Her tips include: being confident and finding your voice to make your point; being aware that you are an intellectual equal to your male peers; and seeking help and mentorship to navigate your career path. For example, the South African chapter of Women@Microsoft is a mentorship instrument that spurs a culture which encourages gender equality in the workplace We note the importance of IT throughout society with an emphasis on digital transformation and the need for women to pursue careers in IT and take advantage of economic opportunities. It starts with demystifying what it means to have an IT career and exposing young women to technology, letting them touch it, see it and play with it. Ms Barnard closes with a few words of wisdom: 1. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don't let self-doubt hold you back from pursuing your dreams. 2.  Seek out mentors and allies who can support you in your journey. Don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance. 3.  Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Remember that failure is not the end, but a stepping stone on the path to success. 4.  Celebrate your successes and the successes of other women around you. Lift each other up and help create a world where all women can thrive. 5.   Finally, never forget the power of your own voice and the impact you can make in the world. You have the ability to shape your own destiny and to make a difference in the lives of those around you. So go out there and make your mark!

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March 1, 2023

CEO Microsoft South Africa – Lillian Barnard – Women in IT

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Microsoft South Africa Lillian Barnard. Microsoft has a market capitalisation in the region of USD 1.78 trn, ranking second in the worl...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to soprano Pretty Yende, who has made her mark in the world of opera, performing in Paris, Berlin, London, Vienna, Milan, New York, Barcelona and many more cities. As a sixteen-year old Pretty was contemplating her future as an accountant, until one evening a  British Airways television advert featuring Delibes’ Flower Duet exposed her to the sound of opera, touching her heart in an extraordinary way. Studying at the South African College of Music she entered and won international competitions and went on to graduate from the Academia Teatro La Scala in Milan. Shortly afterwards she was asked to step in for a colleague and starred in the role of Adèle in Rossini's Le comte Ory at the New York’s Metropolitan Opera.  She walks us through some of the milestones in her career and memorable characters she has played. She shares insights into some of the challenges she has experienced and the grounding that faith, family and friends provide; the #prettyarmy. In closing Pretty reminds us that we are all born unique and each of us have our instruments to share with the world, and echoes Nelson Mandela’s words, “There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

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February 22, 2023

South African Operatic Soprano – Pretty Yende

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to soprano Pretty Yende, who has made her mark in the world of opera, performing in Paris, Berlin, London, Vienna, Milan, New York, Barcelona and man...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe, who is Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University. We discuss some of her responsibilities in this role, from teaching and developing a curriculum that meets the criteria of the Pharmacy Council to managing the pharmacology division. Prof. Mothibe shares a few of her pharmacology research interests, which includes indigenous knowledge systems - focussing on the pharmacology and toxicology of medicinal plants/herbal medicines particularly African Traditional Medicine. She also discusses her work with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to better regulate commercial products that arise from traditional medicine that are safe and efficacious. Prof. Mothibe is a member of several professional organisations, namely South African Society for Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (SASBCP); South African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE); Toxicology Society of South Africa (TOXSA) and South African Society of Clinical Pharmacy (SASOCP). She shares how being part of various professional bodies accelerated her development, exposed her to peers and leaders, and enabled her to be part of steering the future of disciplines. Education has played a prominent role throughout Prof. Mothibe’s career, and she reminds us that life is not a straight line, there will be challenges in our paths as well as opportunities, but if you keep focussing on your dreams the vision will come to fruition. Tune in for more…

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February 8, 2023

Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe – Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Mmamosheledi (Mamza) Mothibe, who is Head of the Division of Pharmacology, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, at Rhodes University. We discuss s...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to authentic, energetic and ever passionate Rami Chuene, who wears several professional caps – successful actress, singer, author and philanthropist to name a few. She takes us back in time, twenty-five years ago, to the moment that the entertainment bug bit and released her creative aspirations. Rami gives a reality check on some of the practicalities of the entertainment industry, what it means to be a freelancer, taking ownership of your creative work and minimising exploitation. We discuss stories from her memoir, “We Kissed the Sun and Embraced the Moon”, which covers impactful moments in her life, everything from bedwetting to rising above sexual abuse and becoming victorious. In 2020 Rami, launched the Rami Chuene Foundation, whose mantra is “Do Good Where You Are” and she unpacks this philosophy showing how people can help one another with what they have in the present. Energy in all forms can be a powerful multiplier of positive benefits. Tune in for more…

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January 13, 2023

Rami Chuene – Actress, Singer, Author and Philanthropist

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to authentic, energetic and ever passionate Rami Chuene, who wears several professional caps – successful actress, singer, author and philanthropis...

Welcome to Womanity Women in Unity, this is our final broadcast of 2022, and we use this show to share some of the lessons learned from female leaders about leadership. Our first guest in this feature is the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, who is also the Vice President of Zambia’s ruling party, the United Party for National Development.  Vice President Nalumango shares how her life path has been navigated by the drive to fight all forms of injustice, like social inequity, poverty alleviation, access to justice and empowering women to occupy their rightful spaces. She also reaffirms that education is the greatest equalizer and reminds those that think education is too expensive to try the cost of ignorance. There is an underrepresentation of female CEOs on listed companies in South Africa, but the women who hold these posts have a great sense of purpose to show that women CEOs are tremendous assets to any organisation and realise that through mentorship more women will rise to the top of corporate hierarchies. Our next guest is the CEO of the Clicks Group, Bertina Engelbrecht. She sees the role of leaders as removing obstacles that stand in the way of people’s performance, providing the resources for people to do their jobs well and motivating them to derive solutions for themselves. On the topic of education Ms Englebrecht notes that education empowers people and is a way of reaffirming and building confidence; furthermore, when a girl child is educated her life and her family’s changes for the better. Our last guest is the CEO of Anglo American Platinum, Natascha Viljoen, who also sits on the Anglo American Platinum Board and the Group Management Committee of Anglo American PLC.  She reflects on factors that led to her career in mining from getting “the smell of the place” as a child going on site trips with her father, who worked on gold mines and drawing on this energy, to a love of science and math which fuelled her interest in a technical career, specifically in mining. She notes that women introduce different perspectives, which in turn reshapes the workplace, contributes to diversity and innovation. We hope that this selection of leaders inspires you to own your journeys. You have been listening to Womanity Women in Unity, best wishes for the festive season. Be Safe.

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December 28, 2022

2022 Women leaders: Inspiring you to own your journey

Welcome to Womanity Women in Unity, this is our final broadcast of 2022, and we use this show to share some of the lessons learned from female leaders about leadership. Our first guest in this feature is the Vice Presid...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Delmaine Christians who represents the Democratic Alliance party in parliament and is a member of the select committee on education and technology, sports, arts and culture (NCOP Committee) and the select committee on Health Social and Services (NCOP Committee) We discuss her journey into politics from the education sector, which laid a strong foundation for her role in parliament. Playing an oversight role in local, provincial and national processes to identify faults in the current system and finding solutions to resolve challenges. For instance, the knock-on effect electricity cuts (loadshedding) have on water access for the Dikgatlong community in the Northern Cape province. We discuss the economic cost of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa as well as the social and psychological damage it causes to victims. Although government has allocated funding to address GBV not enough is being done to curb it, including resources in the police, health and social services. Unfortunately, many women get lost in the system and do not receive appropriate care which impacts their recovery. Ms Christians considers education, grit, perseverance and developing a thick skin as some of the factors that contributed to her success. Tune in for more.

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November 23, 2022

Delmaine Christians – Member of Parliament representing the Democratic Alliance

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Delmaine Christians who represents the Democratic Alliance party in parliament and is a member of the select committee on education and technology, ...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Clicks Group Bertina Engelbrecht. Clicks is a leading health and beauty retailer listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with over 800 stores and more than 600 in-store pharmacies and a loyalty programme exceeding 9.7 million active members. Ms Engelbrecht shares some of her career milestones with local and multinational corporates and her three core building blocks of fairness, equity and justice. We remark on common challenges that women experience in the boardroom and solutions; from showing up as an effective contributor to making your voice heard through quality preparation. She sees the role of leaders as removing obstacles that stand in the way of people’s performance, providing the resources for people to do their jobs well and motivating them to derive solutions for themselves. There is an underrepresentation of female CEOs on listed companies, but the women who hold these posts have a great sense of purpose to show that women CEOs are tremendous assets to any organisation and realise that through mentorship more women will rise to the top of corporate hierarchies. On the topic of education Ms Englebrecht notes that education empowers people and is a way of reaffirming and building confidence; furthermore, when a girl child is educated her life and her family’s changes for the better. #Womeninleadership Tune in for more….

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November 3, 2022

Bertina Engelbrecht – CEO Clicks Group: Women leading from the front

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Clicks Group Bertina Engelbrecht. Clicks is a leading health and beauty retailer listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with over 800...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Mimmy Martha Gondwe, who is a member of parliament representing the Democratic Alliance and member of the Portfolio Committee of Public Service as well as Administration and the Joint Constitutional Review Committee. Dr. Gondwe refers to herself as a reluctant politician. She is driven to make a difference in people’s lives and veered from law to politics as the vehicle that could deliver meaningful impact on people. We discuss the importance of women playing active roles in politics from voting to participating in political structures. Political decisions have economic consequences which affect the lives of women, and thus its vital that their voices are heard, especially since they represent more than fifty percent of the population. We acknowledge that gender inequalities still exist and mention patriarchy as an impediment to progress. However, we consider that through socialisation, shifting mindsets, gender sensitivity training, changing legislative frameworks and education as mechanisms to reduce inequality and enable women to play their full roles in society. Dr. Gondwe emphasises the power of education in the hands of women, reflecting that you don’t have the choice of which family you are born into or the economic circumstances that you are brought up in, but education helps women make the right choices for themselves to become the person they want to be and build the lives they envisioned. Tune in for more…

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October 5, 2022

Dr. Mimmy Martha Gondwe – Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament and Member of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Mimmy Martha Gondwe, who is a member of parliament representing the Democratic Alliance and member of the Portfolio Committee of Public Service ...

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