Tag: Womeninbusiness

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks to Dr Rosemary Dallas,  a veterinarian in private practice who owns Alphen Veterinary Hospital in Constantia. She shares her journey into a career that embraces her multifaceted interests. Dr Rosemary Dallas traces her path into veterinary science back to her childhood in Botswana, where the absence of veterinary services shaped her sensitivity to animal welfare and planted the early seeds of a career dedicated to care, responsibility, and service. What began as an affinity for animals evolved into a calling that perfectly blended her analytical strengths with deep empathy. Choosing the Path — and Letting Doors Open Not initially a lifelong dream, veterinary science emerged as Rosemary’s chosen profession through persistence, opportunity, and intuition. Standing at the crossroads between engineering, accounting, and veterinary medicine, she reflects on how resilience and openness to unexpected opportunities ultimately defined her career trajectory. Science, Skill and a Curious Mind With interests spanning surgery, diagnostic imaging, and small-animal cardiology, Dr Dallas speaks to the importance of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity. Her fascination with cardiology reflects her love for precision, mechanics, and problem-solving — where engineering principles meet living systems. Owning a Practice, Serving a Community As the owner of Alphen Veterinary Hospital in Constantia, Dr Dallas shares how practice ownership was not a planned ambition but a gradual, values-driven journey. For her, leadership is about stewardship — supporting staff livelihoods, nurturing long-term client relationships, and becoming a trusted anchor within the community. Trust as the Cornerstone of Care In a profession often marked by emotional stress and financial pressure, trust is everything. Dr Dallas explains how long-standing relationships with clients — sometimes spanning generations — create safe spaces for decision-making, compassion, and shared responsibility in moments of vulnerability. Women, Work and a Culture of Care While not a deliberate strategy, Dr Dallas leads a largely female team, reflecting broader shifts within the profession. She reflects on how empathy, collaboration, and mutual support shape a workplace culture that prioritises both excellence and humanity — while acknowledging the need for balance and diversity. Prevention, Innovation and the Cost of Progress From vaccinations to advanced diagnostics and cardiology care, the conversation highlights the critical role of preventative medicine and technological advancement. Dr Dallas candidly discusses the ethical tension between cutting-edge care and affordability, and her wish to practise in a world where money did not complicate compassion. Stories That Stay With You Memorable cases — from a rescued puppy needing multidisciplinary care to a dramatic tennis-ball surgery — illustrate the humility, teamwork, and courage required in veterinary practice. These stories reveal a profession that constantly tests limits, builds resilience, and delivers profound reward. Opportunities for Women in Veterinary Science Dr Dallas outlines the expanding landscape of opportunities for women, from clinical practice and specialisation to online consulting, industry roles, and academia. Flexibility, she notes, is becoming increasingly possible — but staff retention and burnout remain global challenges requiring intentional change. Faith, Values and Staying the Course Reflecting on her personal philosophy, Dr Dallas shares how faith, integrity, and perseverance have shaped her definition of success. Caring deeply for people, never giving up on better solutions, and walking humbly have guided both her leadership and her life. Words to the Next Generation Closing with a message to girls across the continent, Dr Dallas encourages young women to show up fully, bring value in every space, and strive to be the best version of themselves — reminding listeners that kindness, intellect, and commitment are powerful forces for change. Tune in for more…

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January 29, 2026

Dr Rosemary Dallas – Veterinarian: Alphen Veterinary Hospital – Be Your Best

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks to Dr Rosemary Dallas,  a veterinarian in private practice who owns Alphen Veterinary Hospital in Constantia. She shares her journey into a career that embraces h...

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks to Dr Azwifaneli Nemushungwa, an economist from the Department of Economics at the University of Venda. We delve into her personal and professional journey, her passion for education, and her commitment to empowering generations of women. A Career in the Male-Dominated Field of Economics Dr. Nemushungwa was drawn to economics by an innate curiosity about "how the world works" and complex concepts like buying, selling, and inflation, even though subjects like economics were rare in her disadvantaged background. Her path into the field was not straightforward.  She felt a passion for the subject and was drawn to a BCom degree by a feeling that led her to ask, "What is BCom?". Her first lecturer, Prof. Rachel Jafta, taught economics with such passion that Dr. Nemushungwa "fell in love with economics" and was inspired to become a lecturer herself. Overcoming Adversity and the Power of Self-Belief Dr. Nemushungwa faced significant challenges, including coming from a very poor family in a rural area. She found that discouragement only fuelled her determination. For example, while she was teaching, she faced doubts from those around her but held onto a "burning dream" to further her education. She felt she was made of a "rare species" that used criticism as motivation. Education as the Key to Women's Empowerment Dr. Nemushungwa strongly advocates for education as the most powerful tool for empowering young women. Challenging Stigma: She confronts the proverb that a woman's place is in the kitchen and the cultural stigma that educated women are to be feared by men, particularly in rural areas. Financial Independence: The most important benefit of education is financial independence, which she believes is the "best thing in life" for a woman. Fighting Gender-Based Violence: She identifies the "spirit of dependency" on a husband as an underlying factor in gender-based violence, stressing that education gives women the power to demand respect. The Banana Tree Analogy: She shares an inspiring analogy about two trees: a banana tree that bows down when carrying fruit (representing a well-educated, humble woman) and a tall, arrogant pawpaw tree that is easily blown down (representing arrogance). Economic Participation and the Entrepreneurial Mindset Addressing the high unemployment rate among young women in South Africa (nearly 50% in 2024 ) and the global gender gap in economic participation, Dr. Nemushungwa emphasizes a necessary shift from a "job seeker" to a "job creator” mentality. Entrepreneurship is Key: She states that women are "unlikely to be absorbed" in the formal sectors (government, private sector) and that the best way for them to participate is by becoming entrepreneurs. University Initiatives: The University of Venda has an Entrepreneurship Centre and focuses on entrepreneurship as one of its four pillars (alongside community engagement, teaching and learning, and research). The goal is to teach students to create jobs for themselves. Real-World Success: She shares inspiring examples of women in Limpopo, which has fertile soil, who have established successful farming businesses. Dr. Nemushungwa concludes with a powerful message for young women. The world is your oyster; you can create whatever you want. Reject the stigma that women are unequal to men. Embrace an emancipation in your mind and ask, "If a man can do it, why can't I do it? Why not me?". Tune in for more…

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December 5, 2025

Dr Azwifaneli Nemushungwa – Department of Economics, University of Venda – Determination

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks to Dr Azwifaneli Nemushungwa, an economist from the Department of Economics at the University of Venda. We delve into her personal and professional journey, her pa...

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Sarah Babb, she is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science, and co-founder and MD of Stimm. Dr. Babb’s passion for leading change through complexity began during South Africa’s democratic transition, where her involvement in student politics ignited a passion for justice, equality, and systemic change. Drawing on over 25 years of experience across academia, business, and social impact, she reflects on how women continue to navigate leadership in a world that grows ever more complex. Despite representing 50% of the population and 46% of its workforce, too few women are occupying top positions in business. Statistics from a 2023 report of the top 40 JSE listed companies shows that only 10% of CEOs were women, only 25% of executive roles and 35% of board positions are held by women. Dr Babb unpacks the persistent gender gaps that hold women back from executive positions, ranging from entrenched stereotypes of “male” leadership to unpaid care work, to the confidence shaking effects of imposter syndrome. Yet she highlights how women’s natural strengths like empathy, collaboration, and human connection are increasingly vital in workplaces driven by AI, digital transformation, and global disruption. The conversation also illuminates a lesser-discussed gender dimension: neurodivergence in women. Dr. Babb explains how girls and women are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to masking behaviours and diagnostic biases, delaying recognition of conditions such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. Whilst these conditions can challenge affected individuals because they deviate from mainstream expectations, neurodiverse individuals bring unique strengths, sometimes in creativity, deep problem-solving, innovation, and resilience, which can enrich teams and organizations. From her own late ADHD diagnosis to the inspiration of her mother and grandmother, trailblazing women who carved new paths in restrictive times, Dr. Babb’s story is deeply personal and profoundly motivating. She calls on women to continually reinvent themselves, support one another in breaking glass ceilings, and claim their space in building workplaces and societies that are both digitally advanced and humanity-centred. Her closing message to women and girls everywhere is one of determination and hope: “Don’t give up. Keep stepping into the new version of your shiniest, noblest self; because there’s always more.” Tune in for more…

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September 5, 2025

Dr Sarah Babb – Adjunct Faculty GIBS – Self-Reinvention

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Sarah Babb, she is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science, and co-founder and MD of Stimm. Dr. Ba...

This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Malvina Bartmanski, a clinical psychologist in private practice who brings a holistic approach to understanding the mind-body connection. With expertise spanning psychodynamic and somatic therapies, Dr. Bartmanski shares her professional and personal journey, shedding light on the transformative power of psychology in helping people foster healthier relationships with themselves and others. Dr. Bartmanski reflects on her intuitive calling to pursue psychology, a passion ignited at the age of 12. Her journey has been one of deep introspection and curiosity, driven not only by the desire to understand others but also to explore her own inner world. An Integrative Approach to Healing Dr. Bartmanski’s approach to healing is deeply integrative, blending psychodynamic therapy, somatic therapy, and other modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She highlights how somatic therapy, in particular, addresses the impact of trauma on the body and helps regulate the nervous system—a critical area of focus in post-pandemic mental health. With the nervous system at the forefront of many psychological discussions today, Dr. Bartmanski explains how physical symptoms, such as those seen in autoimmune conditions, often stem from nervous system dysregulation. She reassures listeners that anxiety, as part of the fight, flight, or freeze response, is a normal reaction to abnormal experiences—and that healing is possible through self-regulation and holistic care. Psychology and the Mind-Body Connection Dr. Bartmanski explores the profound interplay between mental and physical health, particularly through her work with autoimmune conditions. By understanding how our psychological states influence physical well-being, she encourages listeners to embrace the interconnectedness of mind and body in their healing journeys. Becoming a Psychologist: The Gruelling Path For aspiring psychologists, Dr. Bartmanski provides a candid look at the rigorous process of becoming a clinical psychologist, from the competitive master’s selection week to the emotional and intellectual demands of the profession. There are often just a handful of positions open to students, yet hundreds of applicants apply. She shares insights into the lesser-known aspects of the field, including the business acumen required to run a private practice. Financial planning, marketing, and building a client base are just a few of the skills psychologists must master to succeed in private practice. Building Sustainable Habits and Achieving Goals Drawing from her clinical expertise, Dr. Bartmanski discusses why resolutions often fail—typically due to vague or immeasurable goals. She advises listeners to set specific, sustainable habits and practice patience in pursuit of their ambitions. She also touches on how self-limiting beliefs and default modes of functioning can hinder progress, and how adaptability and discipline are essential for overcoming these barriers. Redefining Success and Following Your Calling For Dr. Bartmanski, success is a fluid and evolving concept. She encourages listeners to believe in themselves, embrace authenticity, and live in alignment with their unique purpose. Her message is one of hope: no matter the obstacles, there is always a way to achieve your goals. By following your calling, you express and experience different parts of yourself. For example, one of Dr Bartmanski's leaps of faith was establishing Lala Palm Safari, a specialist safari travel company that offers tailor-made, once-in-a-lifetime wellness-infused safaris. With her profound insights into mental health, personal growth, and the pursuit of meaning, Dr. Malvina Bartmanski leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: “There is a light and purpose inside all of us. Believe in yourself, follow your calling, and live what feels right for you.” Tune in for more...

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January 22, 2025

Dr. Malvina Bartmanski – Clinical Psychologist – Mind Body Oneness

This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Malvina Bartmanski, a clinical psychologist in private practice who brings a holistic approach to understanding the mind-body connection. Wi...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Patricia Lindelwa Makoni, from the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) Department of Finance, Risk Management and Banking. UNISA is Africa’s largest distance learning institution, with over 400,000 students, representing over 100 different countries. Every year more than 54,000 graduates receive qualifications from UNISA. Prof Makoni’s research interests include international finance, financial market development, corporate finance and development finance. She supervises doctoral students from diverse regions including Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United States. Their research topics include infrastructure development, international finance and aid, micro small and medium enterprises, and more. Reflecting on her work, Prof Makoni shares her insights on the challenges of financial exclusion faced by women in rural environments. She emphasises that financial inclusion is not just about access to financial products, its also about understanding the entire value chain. This includes everything from business development and market entry strategies to effective pricing and distribution channels. She believes that empowering women with this holistic knowledge is key to sustainable economic development. Beyond her academic endeavours, Prof. Makoni talks about managing the balance between the various facets of her life. She highlights the importance of making our assets and capital work for us—extending beyond just financial capital to social capital (our networks and relationships) and human capital (our skills, knowledge, and desire to learn). When these elements are combined, they create a powerful force for personal and professional growth. Tune in for more….

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August 30, 2024

Prof Patricia Makoni – Department of Finance – University of South Africa – Financial Inclusion

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Patricia Lindelwa Makoni, from the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) Department of Finance, Risk Management and Banking. UNISA is Africa...

This week on Womanity - Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Rachel Jafta, a Professor of Economics at Stellenbosch University and Director at Naspers / Prosus. Professor Jafta believes economics is fundamentally about people. Her diverse research covers topics like International Trade, Industrial Organisation, Technological Change, R&D, Affirmative Action, and Black Economic Empowerment. In this insightful conversation, she emphasizes how a nation's wellbeing hinges on the participation of its entire population in the economy, highlighting the detrimental effects of excluding women. She also sheds light on the opportunities brought by digitalisation, which could unlock global markets for female entrepreneurs, and the potential of a single African market to expand opportunities for women. She notes the work that Naspers Labs does to equip youth with digital skills training to access the digital economy, not just as job seekers but as entrepreneurs.   Professor Jafta also explores the key barriers women face: access to markets, finance, networks, and knowledge. She shares an example from India, where individuals without collateral use track records in place of credit profiles, illustrating innovative ways to address financial access issues. Reflecting on her own journey, Prof. Jafta recalls how education was a priority in her family, even though her parents didn’t attend school, they ensured that their six children were educated.  Prof Jafta had supportive teachers and one of them thought she should enroll for a university degree, at a time when it was not the norm for girls to go to university.  After graduating she wanted to go to Mexico but was unable to, due to Apartheid travel restrictions, and so, at the tender of age of 23, she applied to be a junior lecturer at the University of Venda but instead ended up pioneering the formation of its economics department. Reflecting on this experience she views it as a valuable opportunity for leadership and institutional legacy building.  Her parting advice? "Never underestimate your potential, be kind to yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask for help—because if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no!" Tune in for more on this inspiring episode! #WomenInLeadership #Economics #GenderEquality #Empowerment #DigitalEconomy #WomenInTrade #Womanity

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August 15, 2024

Prof Rachel Jafta – Stellenbosch University – Director at Naspers – People Economics

This week on Womanity - Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Rachel Jafta, a Professor of Economics at Stellenbosch University and Director at Naspers / Prosus. Professor Jafta believes econo...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Amanda Dempsey who leads the School of Accounting at the University of Johannesburg, prior to this role she served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences at the University of Johannesburg. She is a Chartered Accountant registered with SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants), holds a BCom and MCom in accounting. This year she received the SAICA Chairman’s Difference Makers Award for Academia. She reflects on pivotal moments and values that have shaped her as a person and contributed to her career path. For example, establishing a strong network of female friends that have been cheerleaders for each other and encouraged professional growth. Prof. Dempsey highlights how women’s rights in the workforce have transformed since the 1980s, for example, she couldn’t join the institution’s pension fund, she was not entitled to a medical aid allowance and did not receive a housing subsidy. Today she chairs the University of Johannesburg’s pension fund which manages approximately R4bn. Prof. Dempsey is conscious about nation building and developing people’s potential. One of the pioneering programmes she was involved with is the Thuthuka programme, which aims to produce black chartered accountants that contributes to the economic and social upliftment of themselves and South Africa. This professional qualification enables women to choose jobs that fit their lifestyles and ambitions, whether it’s a career in corporate or being self-employed. Part of Prof. Dempsey’s success has been viewing challenges as opportunities and embracing every opportunity that comes her way. They open more doors. One of her mottos in life is “Just Do It”. Tune in for more…

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November 23, 2023

Professor Amanda Dempsey: Head of the School of Accounting at the University of Johannesburg

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Amanda Dempsey who leads the School of Accounting at the University of Johannesburg, prior to this role she served as Executive Dean of the F...

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