Tag: gender equality

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to a woman of several firsts Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Currently, she serves as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) (first woman and first African to do so); previously, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala twice served as Nigeria's Finance Minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions. She is a global finance expert, economist and international development professional with over 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. She sits on numerous boards, has published several books and won multiple awards. We discuss some of the key milestones in her life’s journey. Her early years were grounded in rural village life and during her teens the Nigerian civil war caused her family to lose everything and start afresh. She studied economics with the intent to become a developmental economist to help poor people in developing countries and earned a Ph.D. in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, 1981). During her tenure as Nigeria’s Finance Minister she succeeded to implement reforms that tripled the growth of the economy, fought corruption and cleared thirty billion dollars of external debt. All her roles have enabled her to fulfil her dream of being able to have a material impact on peoples’ lives in an effort to change them for the better. Women in leadership have the added responsibility of trying to use the position that they are in to introduce other women into their organisation, to mentor women and open opportunities.  Ask the question, how you are setting the example in the organisation you lead? Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, together with Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia wrote the book, “Women and Leadership - Real Lives, Real Lessons” and analysed the lived experiences of female leaders, to derive 10 key lessons for women aspiring to a leadership position.

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April 5, 2023

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the Director-General of the World Trade Organization

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to a woman of several firsts Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Currently, she serves as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) (first woman and...

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 Michèle Ramsay, who is a Professor in Human Genetics, holds the SARCHI Chair for Genomics and Bioinformatics of African Populations at the University of the Witwatersrand and is a director of The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience. The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) is a multi-disciplinary research institute dedicated to investigating genetic variation amongst African populations and the impact of genetic variation on health and disease. Research undertaken by SBIMB has an impact on African Science through its focus on African populations living in Africa addressing human genetics, interactions with the environment and implications for health and disease. Prof. Ramsay discusses some of the research projects that she is involved with, such as H3 Africa, which is one of the bigger symposiums considering the 3Hs of human, hereditary and health; which encompasses 40 different projects covers 35 African countries aimed at understanding genetic variation and the impact it has on health. This is a pioneering field that women are very much a part of and Prof. Ramsay is mindful of female inclusion and for women to strike their own personal balance between family and work. She emphasises that SBIMB operates in teams where members support one another, acknowledging that different types of support will be required during various phases of people’s careers. In terms of leadership, Prof Ramsay encourages women to take up leadership roles and understand the power that comes with positions of leadership from access to resources and determining where they are allocated to being able to influence institutional culture in a top down approach to drive transformation and create opportunities for women. Prof. Ramsay has served as the immediate past-president of the African Society of Human Genetics and the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies, as well as co-chair of the International Hundred Thousand+ Cohorts Consortium (IHCC) and several other structures. In closing Prof. Ramsay encourages women to follow their dreams, be true to themselves, nurture body and mind and as each person fulfils their path they should enrich the lives of others.

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March 15, 2023

Professor Michèle Ramsay – Director of The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Michèle Ramsay, who is a Professor in Human Genetics, holds the SARCHI Chair for Genomics and Bioinformatics of African Populations at t...

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 Dr. Susan Coetzer, who is a specialist geriatrician and specialist physician in private practice. She is vice-president of the South African Geriatrics Society. Human life expectancy is on the rise, in part thanks to healthier lifestyles and improved medical care. In South Africa male life expectancy is 59 and females 65. As people progress through various life stages they have different needs, with health taking a higher priority. The five main ailments affecting older people include: osteoporosis, dementia and brain disorders, iatrogenesis, incontinence and delirium. Aging women tend to be at higher risk of osteoporosis, frailty and dementia. To help reduce the risks of age-related conditions Dr. Coetzer recommends staying physically active, stimulating your mind, and limiting your intake of alcohol and smoking - your future self will always thank you. Tune in for more…

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February 2, 2023

Dr. Susan Coetzer – specialist geriatrician and specialist physician

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Susan Coetzer, who is a specialist geriatrician and specialist physician in private practice. She is vice-president of the South African Geriat...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and leader of the political party “Good”, Patricia de Lille. Minister de Lille shares some of her mandates to manage, maintain and grow government’s land and property assets, a portfolio valued at approximately R5trillion. During her time as mayor of Cape Town the region experienced severe drought and with a major concern of day zero – where taps would run dry. She shares some of the interventions she applied to identify alternative water sources instead of solely relying on rain water and campaigning for the public to curb their water consumption and take responsibility for the collective community to think about water as a finite resource. Minister de Lille is one of the only women to launch a political party in South Africa. She attributes her longevity and achievements in politics to applying the rule of the game and standing firm on her principles, one of which is fearing no on. Tune in for more…

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January 19, 2023

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure – Patricia de Lille

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and leader of the political party “Good”, Patricia de Lille. Minister de Lille shares some of ...

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...

The start of a new year symbolises new beginnings. Motivation can be a powerful catalyst to pursue your goals and seek changes that perhaps challenge society’s expectations. Today’s collection of vignettes are about pursuing passions and being instigators of change. We hear from Professor Caroline Ncube who heads up the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Cape Town, Dr Heide Hackman Director of Future Africa and Strategic Advisor on Transdisciplinarity and Global Knowledge Networks at the University of Pretoria and Judge Carol Sibya from the KwaZulu Natal division of the High Court. Professor Caroline Ncube demonstrates how education has impacted on her own family,  where each generation did better than the previous one and the reason for that frequently hinged on the education  that they had acquired. She discusses building support systems and recognizing that as we go through life we pass certain stages and that you need to accept the stage at where you are and then just operate within the realm of what is possible within that stage and as you progress to other stages. Lastly, she reminds young women to seize the moment, the continent is wide open, reach out, take it. Our next guest is Dr Heide Hackman, who is the Director and Advisor on Transdisciplinarity and Global Knowledge Networks at the Future Africa Institute at the University of Pretoria. Dr Hackman shares some insight into her leadership style, which includes being inspirational (thinking BIG), being an effective enabler and decision maker, being authentic, connecting to people on a human level, and leading by example - don’t be afraid to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty, it’s team work. Our final guest is High Court Judge Carol Sibiya, who hails from the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court. We start the discussion with an emphasis on law as an instrument to bring change, particularly in terms of gender equality gains. We remark on the progress of women’s rights in South Africa and the positive effects that representation of women in different spaces has on people’s psyche, to understand the breadth of possibilities available to them. In closing, she states the one thing she would like to instill in every person is never accept a different voice telling you what you cannot do.  Believe in yourself and do your best whatever the circumstances and when you fail (which will invariably happen) pick yourself up. Sometimes it might mean going back to the drawing board, sometimes it might just mean going at it again.  But never accept failure as the final answer.  We hope that this selection of journeys inspires you to pursue and own your unique space. Best wishes for 2023.

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January 5, 2023

2023 New Year: Women in Leadership: Reach for the Stars

The start of a new year symbolises new beginnings. Motivation can be a powerful catalyst to pursue your goals and seek changes that perhaps challenge society’s expectations. Today’s collection of vignettes are about...

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