Tag: Women

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 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 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...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Riëtte de Kock, who lectures in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, the Faculty of Natural Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria. The Department of Consumer and Food Sciences provides relevant, world-class education and training for future leaders in consumer science, food science, culinary science and nutrition, and takes in students from across the continent, like Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, Lesotho, Uganda and South Africa.  According to the WEF Agriculture makes up 35% of Africa’s GDP and employs about half of its people. Food and agriculture is a vital part of the continent’s economy. Prof. de Kock has a particular interest on the optimisation of the sensory properties of food and beverages (taste, smell, texture, appearance, sound) that contribute to the nutrition status and well-being of consumers in sub-Saharan Africa. One aspect of her research is optimising the shelf life of wholegrain maize meal. She emphasises the importance of participating in professional networks to keep abreast of new knowledge and developments in your field and cultivating social connections with peers. She is a member of several associations such as Vice President: South African Association for Food Science Technology www.saafost.org.za; Representative for University of Pretoria as Associate member: South African Association for the Flavour and Fragrance Industry (SAAFFI) www.saaffi.co.za; Representative for University of Pretoria as Associate member: South African Meat Processors Association www.sampa.org.za; Chair: Africa Network for Sensory Evaluation Research ANSWER https://answernetwork.org/. She imparts an important learning for self-development, namely the more you share the more you grow and teams make you stronger. Tune in for more…

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June 15, 2023

Prof. Riëtte de Kock – Department of Consumer and Food Sciences – University of Pretoria

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Riëtte de Kock, who lectures in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, the Faculty of Natural Agricultural Sciences at the University...

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 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...

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 ...

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