Tag: Women in leadership

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Ambassador of Austria to South Africa, Romana Königsbrun, who is also accredited to nine other countries in the region: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Ambassador Königsbrun shares some of the landmarks in her career, remarking on the positive impact of good bosses. Mentors nurture development and encourage mentees to stretch beyond their comfort zones and embrace opportunities for growth. Sometimes women are reluctant to apply for positions where they do not yet possess all the capabilities of a role, which is a disservice to themselves, rather see this as a chance to acquire new skills and advance yourself. Austria is involved in several projects in Africa, which include the renewable energy sector (SOLTRAIN), support for the interparliamentary forum for SADC and advocacy for women’s rights. Part of the Austrian Development Co-operation’s focus is on gender equality, for example, in relation to gender-based violence (GBV) it has programs to improve victim protection, where public prosecutors, judges and police receive training to sensitise them to various facets of GBV. Additionally, Austria has collaborated with SADC to create model law on GBV. This provides scalable benefits, where countries do not have to derive their own laws and can instead use systems that have already been created. Ambassador Königsbrun remarks on the importance of sisterhood and building relationships throughout your life. Networks are valuable constructs that you need to invest into; they are reciprocal. Women of today should look out for the next generation, offer them guidance so they can rise to their full potential. Tune in for more…

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November 15, 2023

Ambassador of Austria to South Africa, Romana Königsbrun

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Ambassador of Austria to South Africa, Romana Königsbrun, who is also accredited to nine other countries in the region: Angola, Botswana, Eswa...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Ayanda Mafuleka – CEO FASSET (Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority) who has partnered with The International Women’s Forum South Africa (“IWFSA”) to deliver the Women in Leadership Programme or Women Legacy Programme (“WLP”), which aims to develop 1000 women in the financial sector over a 3-year period. Women are underrepresented in the financial services sector, currently there are less than 10% black female chartered accountants in South Africa. FASSET aims to increase the flow of entrants into the finance sector and has partnerships with several institutions. Every sector of industry has a need for finance professionals. FASSET has several programs in place as well as bursaries that are listed on their website. Ms Mafuleka encourages people to pursue professional qualifications. We discuss some of the programs that are in place for women, such as the Women Creating Wealth program with the Graça Machel Trust, which is an entrepreneurship program designed to equip women with confidence, skills and networks to grow their businesses and shift from income generation to wealth creation. Ms Mafuleka walks us through her career journey and factors that have contributed to her success, from being raised by strong women, to aspiring to be different, to working hard, to dreaming big and manifesting intentions where passion meets purpose. As a women leader she consciously draws people up with her and grows the sisterhood. Tune in for more…

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November 9, 2023

Ayanda Mafuleka CEO Financial Accounting Services Seta

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Ayanda Mafuleka – CEO FASSET (Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority) who has partnered with The International W...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Liana Roodt who is a specialist general surgeon with a passion for cutting-edge breast care and surgery including breast conserving cancer surgery. Part of her practice’s value proposition is to offer not just surgery but access to a complete package of breast and personal health. During a cancer journey, at times patients are at their most vulnerable, but also at their absolute bravest and courageous. In recognition of breast cancer awareness month, this show continues to raise awareness of breast cancer and living with breast cancer. Statistically one out of every eight women will face a breast cancer diagnosis during her lifetime. The high incidence of breast cancer makes it one of the most researched types of cancers which leads to improvements in diagnosis and treatment. For some people receiving a cancer diagnosis is a point of confronting their mortality, dealing with fear and then going through the process of grief (denial, anger, acceptance). For women, who are generally care providers in the home, there is a necessary adjustment where they shift roles to be taken care of. In Dr. Roodt’s practice she emphasises holistic treatment that is interdisciplinary, including access to a psychologist, physiotherapist, body talk therapist, nutritionist, somatic therapist etc... This basket of services comes at cost, which may be financed in the private health sector for those with medical aid. However, the majority of the South African population rely on the public health sector, where there are often long waiting times for breast cancer patients to receive treatment. To help address this need Dr Roodt created Project Flamingo where on a weekly basis surgeons and anesthetists volunteer their time and skills at key academic hospitals in the Western and Eastern Cape to conduct lifesaving operations. There are several ways that people can support Project Flamingo, from monetary donations to packing pamper packs to volunteering their time. Tune in for more… Take action for breast cancer awareness, for yourself and others, support and help women today.

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November 2, 2023

Breast cancer awareness with specialist surgeon Dr Liana Roodt

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Liana Roodt who is a specialist general surgeon with a passion for cutting-edge breast care and surgery including breast conserving cancer surg...

The 10th of October marks World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is “Mental health is a universal human right”. This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Alicia Porter, who is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Charlotte Maxete Academic Hospital and lectures in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand. Some of her areas of interest include child and adolescent mental health, woman’s mental health, mental health in the workplace and burnout. Dr Porter also volunteers for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), which is at the forefront of patient advocacy, education and addressing misconceptions of mental illness. Dr Porter is a mental health advocate and believes in mental health promotion and primary prevention, she remarks that anxiety and depression are some of the more common mental health issues that patients experience, and often mental health conditions manifest in the body. She considers a child’s first 1000 days of life, so nine months in utero and the first two years as the most important period in anyone’s life because it sets the trajectory for their future. Her practice applies a multi-disciplinary holistic approach to treating children that includes family. Some of her tips for women to optimise their mental health include making self-care a lifestyle, knowing who you are through self-awareness and connecting with each other. Dr Porter exercises a pay it forward philosophy with the intention that her ceiling becomes the next generation’s floor. She reminds us that we are the sum total of who we surround ourselves with; so we should be conscious about who we choose to connect to and the effect that this has on helping us progress in our lives.   Tune in for more….

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October 5, 2023

Dr. Alicia Porter – Psychiatrist – Charlotte Maxete Academic Hospital (WITS)

The 10th of October marks World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is “Mental health is a universal human right”. This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Alicia Porter, ...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Minister of Justice from the Republic of Namibia, Yvonne Dausab. Prior to this appointment she served as the Chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission, and previously occupied the role of  Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Namibia. Minister Dausab shares some of the factors that contributed to her pursuit of a career in law, including historical context, particularly living through Apartheid as a tool of oppression that used laws to implement its systems, experiencing the trauma of a family member being murdered and residing in an environment threatened by criminal activity. Under Minister Dausab’s leadership the Ministry of Justice drives a significant legislature agenda, both informed by other ministries and its own activities, additionally it aims to fulfil to key strategic objectives namely the provision of legal services and access to justice. In terms of access to justice, initiatives include improving access to legal aid for people who need representation, developing the small claims court system and establishing  community. Some of Minister Dausab’s leadership strategies encompass supporting other women, focussing on key areas of your mandate and avoiding distractions, building relationships across party and gender lines to understand different points of view, reading widely, participating in activities that bring out your strengths and showing up. Namibia has made significant strides in promoting gender equality and women's rights. For example, both Namibia’s prime minister and deputy prime minister are women. A few of the reasons for Namibia strength in the gender equality stakes follow. Firstly, the ruling party took a decision to have a policy entrenched in their constitution that said there must be 50/50 representation in any activity that the SWAPO party undertakes. Secondly, Namibia actively participates in international and regional levels in promoting gender equality. Thirdly, Namibia has very good policies and recently reviewed its national gender policy to assess how has the country has progressed and is presently developing a new gender policy for the next ten years. Tune in for more...

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September 20, 2023

The Minister of Justice from the Republic of Namibia – Yvonne Dausab

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Minister of Justice from the Republic of Namibia, Yvonne Dausab. Prior to this appointment she served as the Chairperson of the Law Reform and ...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Kerstin Jordaan, who is a Professor in Mathematics in the Department of Decision Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA), and part time Executive Director of the South African Mathematics Foundation. She holds an NRF B rating and is one of only three women in the country to hold a B rating for mathematics. Prof Jordaan gives some insight into the multidisciplinary nature of decision science and reflects on the role of AI and machine learning in evolving the field, particularly when it comes to analysing huge amounts of data.  Mathematics is a fundamental subject; however not enough people are studying mathematics to satisfy the job market in industry or academia.  Prof Jordaan discusses some of the grassroot projects in place that attempt to drive mathematics education to make a meaningful difference in South Africa. These initiatives bring together mathematics educators, be that professionals working at university or teachers at schools or universities that educate teachers. In our conversation on leadership we remark that women are under-represented at the top of the academic hierarchy. Mentorship is an important mechanism to nurture and steer a person’s development. Prof Jordaan shares experiences of mentorship opening opportunities for people to advance and remarks on the importance of pursuing a purpose that is bigger than yourself. Tune in for more…

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September 14, 2023

Prof Kerstin Jordaan – Professor in Mathematics in the Department of Decision Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA)

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Kerstin Jordaan, who is a Professor in Mathematics in the Department of Decision Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA), and part ...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Soma Naidoo from the Free State Division of the High Court, who shares part of her journey to the bench. In early childhood Judge Naidoo came face-to-face with injustices of apartheid and was aware that the “law” was the instrument of discrimination, these experiences motivated her to change the “law”. Her path was not easy, but she stayed the course pursuing excellence in all her endeavours and proving her worth. Judge Naidoo shares some of the impactful cases she has worked on from criminal, to political, to industrial and domestic matters. Arriving at a judgement and suitable sentence is no easy task, and sometimes judges are faced with the worst aspects of humanity, but justice must still be metered out impartially. She mentions some of the strategies she uses to debrief and look out for her well-being as well as colleagues. Judge Naidoo offers several pieces of advice to aspirant lawyers and judges, which include networking, pursuing their academic studies and seeking mentorship to guide and support them throughout their careers. She also mentions a poem, called the “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann, which is an inspirational prose that offers sound philosophies for living a good life, regardless of age.   Tune in for more…

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September 6, 2023

Judge Soma Naidoo from the Free State Division of the High Court

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Soma Naidoo from the Free State Division of the High Court, who shares part of her journey to the bench. In early childhood Judge Naidoo cam...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Raylene Keightley, a permanent judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, who is currently serving as Acting Judge for the Supreme Court of Appeal. Judge Keightley has an accomplished academic career and her transition into practice was prompted by an opportunity from the National Prosecuting Authority’s role in a new act for the prevention of organised crime and establishing the asset forfeiture unit which deals with the seizure of criminal assets. Judge Keightley shares some of the types of legal suits she deals with, such as emotive cases with family law and the urgency of burial matters; and in her job as a judge to do her best within the ambit of the law without fear or favour and to show compassion and dignity towards litigants. The South African judiciary has transformed over the years to represent race and gender demographics of the country. One of the mechanisms for advancing the development of women judges is the South African Chapter of The International Association of Women’s Judges. The sisterhood among members, enables judges and magistrates to learn about each other and get to know one another and continue to develop.   Justice Keightley reminds women that they are strong in their core, they must believe in themselves and to know what their substance is and pursue it. Tune in for more…

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August 30, 2023

Judge Raylene Keightley from the Gauteng Division of the High Court

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Raylene Keightley, a permanent judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, who is currently serving as Acting Judge for the Supreme Cour...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Sharon Chesiwe from the Free State division of the High Court. When Judge Chesiwe graduated from high school her career options, as a black woman in South Africa, were limited; primarily to teaching and nursing. For more than a decade Judge Chesiwe followed a nursing track and eventually transitioned into law. She explained her decision to shift careers was partly motivated by incidents of injustice she had observed whilst she was a nurse, for example, pay disparity between people of different races. She realised that the only way to fight these injustices was through the law. Judge Chesiwe is passionate about family law and ensuring that people who come before her are treated with humility and respect. South African women have had a very real struggle in the journey to equality to move past the point where they were regarded as minors under the custodianship of their father or husband. Women need to keep pushing forwards and owning their constitutional rights. Women need to be involved in the drafting of policies that impact them, e.g. sexual harassment policies in the workplace. Judge Chesiwe reminds women to appreciate their strength and have the confidence to know that they can do anything. Tune in for more…

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August 16, 2023

Judge Sharon Chesiwe – Free State division of the High Court

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Sharon Chesiwe from the Free State division of the High Court. When Judge Chesiwe graduated from high school her career options, as a black w...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Temi Lydia Leshoro from the Department of Economics at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who has a special interest in macroeconomic studies. She sheds light on the pressing economic issues faced by South Africa. The nation grapples with the daunting triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality, compounded by energy insecurity, crime, corruption, and skill shortages. Prof Leshoro considers how macroeconomic policies can be tailored to consider gender-specific needs and priorities through five key areas. She emphasizes the significance of equal access to opportunities, advocating for policies that encompass education, training, employment, and support for unpaid care work, including parental leave. Additionally, she highlights the importance of financial inclusion and property rights for women. We discuss the role modelling effect that women in leadership exert, which motivates women to pursue their ambitions with confidence. With Women's Month in focus, Prof Leshoro encourages women to recognise their strengths, their resilience and tap into their limitless potential to fulfil their aspirations. She reminds each woman to embrace her uniqueness as a source of power and capacity for greatness. In rising as individuals women must foster sisterhood, together we are an unstoppable force. Happy Women’s Day Tune in for more….

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August 10, 2023

Prof Temi Lydia Leshoro from the Department of Economics – University of South Africa (UNISA)

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Temi Lydia Leshoro from the Department of Economics at the University of South Africa (UNISA), who has a special interest in macroeconomic stu...

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