Tag: gender equality

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Ntanganedzeni Olivia Mapholi, who heads up the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Agriculture and food feature prominently in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals because of the role they have in the economy and environment, and the impact they have on sustainability, climate and biodiversity, as well as nutrition and health. UNISA’s Department of Agriculture and Animal Health plays a significant role in developing people, processes and products for the agricultural sector in Africa. Prof. Mapholi emphasises the close link between academic research to advance farming practices in the field, such as increasing milk production, breeding tick resistant cattle, helping farmers overcome swine fever and more. In terms of women in leadership, UNISA’s first female Vice Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula is a role model to female academics, inspiring them to realise their ambitions and make a difference in their disciplines that contribute beyond country borders. Mentorship is an important tool to guide women’s development, as is knowledge through education that furthers your passion. UNISA is a distance learning institution which enables students to study flexibly from anywhere in the world. Tune in for more…

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July 6, 2023

Prof. Ntanganedzeni Olivia Mapholi – Head of Agriculture and Animal Health at the University of South Africa  

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Ntanganedzeni Olivia Mapholi, who heads up the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Agricul...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Bernadette Sunjka, who heads up the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand. Engineering is one of the four STEM subjects that contribute towards innovation and development and Dr Sunjka emphasises applications of industrial engineering to help students solve research problems, particularly in the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector. For example, improving the efficiency of poultry farmers; helping SME businesses contract sustainably with fast moving consumer goods companies; and evaluating the hydrogen supply chain in the energy sector. In a country, like South Africa, with the official unemployment rate exceeding 40%, entrepreneurship is a means of creating livelihoods and shifts the narrative from job seekers to job creators. Yet, the biggest constraint to entrepreneurs is financial resources. Dr. Sunja shares some of her views on education (beyond pure knowledge gain), extending to developing self-confidence, enabling graduates to have choices to plot their career trajectories, to learn transferrable skills and apply these skills to various contexts for dynamic careers. She reminds people to believe in themselves and have the courage to find and pursue their purpose. Tune in for more…

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June 29, 2023

Dr Bernadette Sunjka –  Head of the Industrial Engineering Stream within the School of Mechanical, Industrial & Aeronautical Engineering – University of Witwatersrand

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Bernadette Sunjka, who heads up the Industrial Engineering Stream within the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering at th...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Liezl van Dyk, who is the Executive Dean for the Faculty of Engineering at North-West University. The faculty’s vision is to change the world for the better. Prof. van Dyk shares some of the success factors that went into the development of the Faculty’s solar car, which won the Structural Design Award in Sasol Solar Challenge 2022. This project combined different disciplines within engineering (like chemical, mechanical, technical, computer, electrical and industrial engineering) as well as project management and team work. The faculty actively considers real world problems and the means to solve them. Prof. van Dyk remarks on some of the programmes that North-West University has in place to encourage and empower young people to pursue STEM subjects that start in school. For example, the Ikateleng programme provides additional support to children to nurture their potential. Others include Femmgineering and InnovatHER. Prof. van Dyk shares and important lesson of self - be yourself, know yourself and keep learning about yourself. She emphasises that all of us can all be part of solutions to change the world for the better. Tune in for more…

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June 22, 2023

Prof. Liezl van Dyk: Executive Dean – Faculty of Engineering at North-West University

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Liezl van Dyk, who is the Executive Dean for the Faculty of Engineering at North-West University. The faculty’s vision is to change the wor...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Marianne Vanderschuren, the Deputy Dean Transformation and Social Responsiveness in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town. The civil engineering discipline tends to be associated with large scale infrastructure, like high-rise buildings, bridges, water management, and transportation systems, such as roads, railways, canals, harbours and airports. Prof. Vanderschuren has a particular interest in transportation. One of her research areas addresses gender safety in public spaces, which acknowledges that women in Africa face sexual harassment and violence during their commutes. This research considers how females can travel more safely through social and infrastructure interventions. Social interventions include travelling with people they know (passengers and drivers), and having access to security applications either on their phone or physical buttons to raise an alarm. Infrastructure-wise CCTV cameras, proper lighting and reducing deserted areas aid the safety of female commuters. Prof. Vanderschuren shares some of her motivations to pursue a career in civil engineering with an emphasis on transport, noting that the field is gradually transforming from a male biased one to accepting women. She is a member of several professional organisations and highlights the value of these networks for the growth of individuals and development of the collective. Prof. Vanderschuren encourages women to believe in themselves and pursue their passion, reminding people that is ok to be the outlier as long as you stay true to yourself. Tune in for more…

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June 8, 2023

Prof. Marianne Vanderschuren, Deputy Dean Transformation and Social Responsiveness in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Marianne Vanderschuren, the Deputy Dean Transformation and Social Responsiveness in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of ...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to award winning South African actress Kim Engelbrecht whose recent television work has included the American science fiction drama Raised by Wolves and playing the lead in the South African production Reyka, a role which earned her the award for Best Actress in the South African Film and Television Awards as well as a Best Actress nomination of the international Emmy Awards. Kim walks us through some of the milestones in her career and eventually channelling her efforts to focus on acting and hone her skills for the craft. Her roles tend to oscillate between heavy drama and science fiction genres. She aims to bring her characters to life according to the visions of the writer and director. She advises people who want to pursue a career in acting to follow their hearts, staying as close to the fire as possible, developing their abilities and eventually landing a breakthrough part that springboards their career. Tune in for more…

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June 1, 2023

Award Winning South African Actress Kim Engelbrecht

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to award winning South African actress Kim Engelbrecht whose recent television work has included the American science fiction drama Raised by Wolves an...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South African actress Mogau Motlhatswi, who currently acts in the daily South African soap opera Skeem Saam. Skeem Saam tells stories that reflect the daily realities experienced by people and offers solutions to some of their challenges. For example, discussing government grants and teenage pregnancies. Mogau describes aspects about the character she plays, Mapitsi Magongwa, and how important it is that women are appropriately portrayed in media, that their voices are heard and adequately represented. Mogau studied audiovisual communication at the University of Johannesburg and emphasises the importance of tertiary education from networking to knowledge gain. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Tune in for more….

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May 18, 2023

South African Actress Mogau Motlhatswi Activating Social Justice

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South African actress Mogau Motlhatswi, who currently acts in the daily South African soap opera Skeem Saam. Skeem Saam tells stories that reflect t...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to is Dr Elsa Thirion-Venter, who is the director and co-owner of MarkData, an independent marketing and strategic insights, consulting, and development company.  She is a registered Research Psychologist at the Health Professions Council. She is also a Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) Accredited Researcher (SAR). Through research Dr Thirion-Venter surfaces human insights, brings unheard voices to the forefront and makes a difference in people’s lives. She shares some of the challenges she has experienced as a female business owner and how she utilises servant leadership to steer her organisation and serve her team. We reflect on some of the mechanisms to increase the penetration of women into leadership positions, one being the need to simultaneously transform society’s stereotypes of women and for women to change limiting beliefs about themselves. Part of self-development is achieved through education, not just the acquisition of academic knowledge but for personal growth and attaining soft skills to equip one with coping tools for life. Tune in for more…

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May 10, 2023

Dr Elsa Thirion-Venter – Research Director – MarkData

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Elsa Thirion-Venter, who is the director and co-owner of MarkData, an independent marketing and strategic insights, consulting, and development ...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Lebo Mashile who is an award-winning poet, author, actress, and producer. She reflects on her journey into the creative arts, which deviated from her initial academic pursuits to study law and international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand. As an actress her film credits include Hotel Rwanda, and on the stage The Quiet Violence of Dreams. On the publishing side she won the NOMA Award for Publishing in Africa for her premier collection in A Ribbon of Rhythm (Oshun) and in 2008 she released Flying Above the Sky, her second book of poetry. One of her theatrical productions is Venus vs Modernity: The Life of Saartjie Baartman,  and we draw some enduring parallels of challenges that women still face today, such as power imbalances and unequal pay for performing the same work as their male counterparts.   Resilience and relevance are a couple of drivers in the creative space and Lebo proactively curates her skills, in particular communication and connection, to be a versatile asset who is capable of creating employment across the creative spectrum, that has enabled her contributions to span 33 countries to date. Every piece you create is part of your legacy and incorporates memories into your work.  Tune in for more…

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May 4, 2023

Award Winning Poet, Actress, Author and Producer – Lebo Mashile

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Lebo Mashile who is an award-winning poet, author, actress, and producer. She reflects on her journey into the creative arts, which deviated from h...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Ghada El-Kamah who is a Professor of Clinical Genetics, coordinator of The Hereditary Blood Disorders (HBD) and Genodermatoses clinics and research team, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute (HGGRI) at the National Research Centre (NRC), which is mainly involved in the study of medical genetics with a focus on inherited rare disorders, dysmorphology, community genetics, science management and genetic education. She shares some of her motivations to pursue a career in the field of human genetics, noting the role the discipline plays in treating vulnerable groups of people. The field of genetics is broadening and today every aspect of medicine includes genetics. Prof. El-Kamah is a member of several professional organisations and highlights the value of these networks for the growth of individuals and development of the collective, ultimately in pursuit of helping patients. Prof. El-Kamah encourages women to follow their dreams and develop their own style of leadership to become unique individuals.

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April 26, 2023

Prof. Ghada El-Kamah – Clinical Genetics – National Research Centre – Egypt

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Ghada El-Kamah who is a Professor of Clinical Genetics, coordinator of The Hereditary Blood Disorders (HBD) and Genodermatoses clinics and re...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Rokhaya Ndiaye Diallo, who is a professor in Human Genetics and holds the chair of Human Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal. She is a founding member and general secretary of the Senegalese Society for Human Genetics (S2GH), a member of the executive committee of the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) and the H3Africa consortium, and she is leading the Senegalese Reference genome project SEN-GENOME. We discuss tertiary education as an enabler and equalizer. Education at public universities in Senegal is free for Senegalese citizens. This policy produces an informed society of educated young people that can problem solve for the economic development of the country and creates equal opportunity where people are not precluded from advancing themselves because of affordability. Prof Ndiaye emphasises the importance of healthcare in Africa and the lack of human and infrastructure resources to make good healthcare sustainable. She notes that human genetics is the future of health for the continent. She runs several genetics related projects, including breast cancer genetics and the SEN-GENOME project, which aims to create a reference genome for Senegal, with the goal of establishing personalized medicine to individuals. To help close gender gaps Prof Ndiaye suggests that women are given appropriate support to balance the practicalities of motherhood and career progression, have access to mentors to help their development, be eligible for funding to finance their research and have a planned career trajectory to advance their professional goals. Tune in for more.

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April 19, 2023

Prof Rokhaya Diallo – Chair of Human Genetics at the Cheikh Anta Diop University – Senegal

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Rokhaya Ndiaye Diallo, who is a professor in Human Genetics and holds the chair of Human Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odo...

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