Tag: WomeninMedicine

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Helené Basson, an orthopaedic surgeon in private practice at Life Eugene Marais Hospital in Pretoria, founder and CEO of Operation Healing Hands, and the driving force behind the Amici community choir. From restoring movement through surgery to opening doors to healthcare and bringing people together through music, her story reveals how a passion for people can shape a rich and purposeful life. A Calling Inspired by Her Father Dr Basson’s path into medicine began with watching her father, an orthopaedic surgeon whose enthusiasm for his work left a lasting impression. By the age of sixteen, she knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps. He encouraged her to explore medicine before committing to a speciality, and she later worked alongside him for seven years. Her advice to young people is simple: choose a career because it genuinely excites you and you are passionate about it, not merely because others believe you have the academic ability to pursue it. Restoring Movement — and Quality of Life Orthopaedics offers the variety that first drew Dr Basson to the profession: treating conditions affecting the spine and limbs, from fractures and ligament injuries to joint problems. Having initially specialised in paediatric orthopaedics, she went on to develop a practice combining spinal and general orthopaedic care. She finds fulfilment both in the precision of surgery and in getting to know patients, accompanying them through treatment and recovery. The Person Behind the Procedure One of Dr Basson’s moving reflections concerned an elderly patient whose severe complications prompted difficult conversations about surgery and palliative care. The experience reinforced a lesson that has stayed with Dr Basson: medicine is not simply about what can be done, but about what is right for the person receiving care. Knowing when to stop, recognising professional limits and seeking guidance are as important as knowing how to operate. Sometimes no treatment is treatment. Above all, patients and families need honest communication and a sense that someone is walking the journey with them. Women’s Bone Health: Looking Beyond the Fracture The conversation turns to osteoporosis and the importance of paying attention to bone health after menopause. Dr Basson highlights the danger of treating a fracture without considering an underlying bone-health problem, and encourages women to discuss assessment and treatment with their doctors. She also emphasises regular, manageable physical activity, including walking, as part of caring for bones, muscles and joints. Her message is to take prevention seriously rather than wait for another injury. Finding Her Place in Surgery Asked about gender barriers in surgery, Dr Basson offers a personal perspective: she did not experience gender-based obstacles during her own training. She recalls a team environment centred on caring for patients and lasting friendships with colleagues. The discussion also considers how greater representation can shift perceptions of women in the workplace. Her experience adds an encouraging voice to the conversation about women entering surgical specialities, without suggesting that every woman’s journey is the same. Operation Healing Hands: Small Contributions, Life-Changing Results Operation Healing Hands grew from the frustration of seeing a young mother living with the consequences of delayed fracture treatment and being unable to afford further surgery. What began as a Mandela Day initiative in 2016, helping around fourteen patients, became a full-time charity. Ten years on, Dr Basson reports that OHH has helped more than 1,700 patients. Its philosophy is that everyone does a little, and together they do a lot: doctors donate their expertise, while hospitals, suppliers and donors contribute to making surgery possible. Bridging the Gap in Access to Surgery The charity matches eligible patients with surgeons across different specialities, focusing on relatively low-risk cases that can be addressed through a single surgical procedure rather than ongoing treatment. Referrals and a partnership with the Atterbury Trust’s free clinic help connect patients to assessment and potential surgical support. Yet funding remains a constant challenge. Even with donated professional time and supplies, consumables and implants carry costs, and the need for surgery far exceeds the charity’s capacity. For Dr Basson, additional funding means the opportunity to help more people. Amici: Friendship, Music and Food for the Soul Beyond the operating theatre, Dr Basson finds joy and renewal in Amici, the community choir she started with friends when she was nineteen. Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, the choir welcomes singers without auditions and performs in churches, retirement homes and its own concerts. As the group grew, she pursued courses and learned from experienced musicians to develop her conducting skills. Music, friendship, faith and community come together in an activity she describes as food for the soul — a reminder that fulfilment need not be confined to a single profession. A Message to the Next Generation: Never Say Never The conversation closes with an invitation to girls and young women to find what they love and pursue it with commitment. Whether that passion lies in work, study, a hobby or helping others, Dr Basson believes it can provide the energy to keep going through difficult years. Her own journey shows how unexpected possibilities can emerge through learning, hard work and openness to change. Her message encapsulates hope fused with practical steps: never say never, follow your path, and live with passion. Tune in for more...

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October 30, 2026

Dr Helené Basson – Orthopaedic Surgeon – Never Say Never

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Helené Basson, an orthopaedic surgeon in private practice at Life Eugene Marais Hospital in Pretoria, founder and CEO of Operation Healing Hands, and the d...

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Naadiyah Sterianos, a specialist trauma surgeon, academic and healthcare leader.  She serves as Trauma Director and Surgeon at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital, having previously worked at Netcare Alberton's Level I Trauma Unit, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Lectures at Wits and she is also the Deputy Secretary of the Trauma Society of South Africa.  From an under-resourced school education and an indirect route into medicine to leading a trauma service, her story is defined by purpose, perseverance and a refusal to accept that difficult beginnings determine final destinations. Purpose, Persistence and the Long Road into Medicine Dr Sterianos did not enter medicine directly after school. After initially being turned down, she completed a BSc and an honours degree before gaining admission. She also failed early in her university journey and later failed her first medical examination. Instead of treating failure as a verdict, she learned to see it as information: change the study method, adjust the mindset and find another route to the same destination. What sustained her was not simply career ambition, but a clear sense that medicine was her purpose. Lessons from the Shop Floor Working part-time as a salesperson while studying taught her patience, humility and how to deal with people who may be demanding or dismissive. Those lessons became unexpectedly valuable in trauma care, where patients can be frightened, intoxicated, disoriented or aggressive. Her experience reinforces a central idea in the interview: every part of a difficult journey can develop qualities that later become professional strengths. Choosing Trauma: Becoming the Calmest Person in the Room Dr Sterianos originally imagined becoming a pulmonologist, partly because of her own experience with asthma. Her direction changed after discovering that she preferred practical, hands-on medicine. A defining moment came while she was an intern at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where she watched a trauma surgeon calmly repair a stab wound to the heart while the rest of the theatre worked under intense pressure. She decided that she wanted to become the person who remains composed when everything is in crisis, gives direction and steadies the team. The Trauma Surgeon as Captain of the Ship Trauma care, she explains, is far more than repairing an injury. A severely injured patient may need neurosurgeons, orthopaedic and maxillofacial surgeons, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation teams and support from employers. While each specialist focuses on a particular injury, the trauma surgeon focuses on the whole patient and coordinates the journey back to the person’s pre-injury life. Public and Private Trauma: Different Worlds The interview reveals striking contrasts between sectors. Public hospitals encounter high volumes of penetrating trauma, including gunshot and stab wounds, while private care more often sees blunt trauma from vehicle crashes, workplace incidents and falls. Dr Sterianos recalls that a month-end Saturday night at Baragwanath could bring as many as 100 patients, about 30 seriously injured; in private practice, five patients can constitute a busy night. The differences in volume and injury profile are profound, but both settings demand coordination and sound clinical judgement. Treating the Person Behind the Injury One of the most memorable insights concerns an agitated patient waking after a serious accident. Staff initially saw aggression and non-cooperation; the patient later explained that his last memory was trying to escape the vehicle that struck him. Dr Sterianos realised that he was still responding to that remembered danger. Calm reassurance and psychological understanding could therefore be as important as medication or restraint. For her, holistic trauma care must address fear, distress and post-traumatic stress because mental wellbeing directly affects physical recovery. Women in Surgery: Beyond Limiting Stereotypes When Dr Sterianos began surgical training, women were less visible and were often pushed into one of two stereotypes: dependent and in need of rescue, or fiercely self-sufficient and difficult. Neither allowed a woman simply to be recognised as a capable surgeon. She sees encouraging change in the growing number of women entering surgery and leadership, but stresses that visibility matters. When younger doctors see women leading, they move from thinking “perhaps I can” to knowing “I will.” Leadership Means Taking People with You Teaching, mentoring and teamwork sit at the heart of Dr Sterianos’s approach to leadership. She believes a legacy cannot depend on one person; juniors must be empowered to continue the work and eventually surpass their mentors. Her late mentor, trauma surgeon Dr Vicky Jennings, modelled this by recognising her teaching ability, creating opportunities, introducing her to international colleagues and drawing her into a wider professional network. Dr Sterianos now aims to extend that same generosity to others. Building South African Trauma Knowledge Alongside clinical work, Dr Sterianos is committed to research and to strengthening South Africa’s academic voice. The country carries immense trauma experience, yet much clinical guidance still comes from American and European contexts. She argues that South African clinicians should publish what they see, shape locally relevant guidelines and share their expertise internationally. Her longer-term vision includes developing more trauma specialists and widening access beyond major metropolitan centres. Networks, Societies and Collective Influence Professional networks and societies provide belonging, collaboration and a route to larger influence, including policy and prevention. They connect people with shared purpose, but Dr Sterianos also values those who challenge familiar thinking. Conferences, professional societies and multidisciplinary relationships have helped her understand not only clinical medicine, but also the business, stakeholder and organisational dimensions involved in building a trauma service. Staying Grounded in a Demanding Career Trauma surgery involves long calls, emotional strain and a real risk of burnout. Dr Sterianos draws strength from family, purposeful time management and honest debriefing. Medical colleagues provide professional reflection and constructive feedback; her husband, who is outside medicine, offers perspective on what matters beyond the hospital. She describes both kinds of support as essential to remaining grounded. A Message to the Next Generation Her advice to young women considering surgery is direct: do it. Find a mentor, build a community of supportive and like-minded people, and do not allow setbacks to create lifelong regret. The conversation closes with a broader call to women and girls: no dream is too large or too small, and “no” need not be the end of the road. Turn dreams into action, take others with you, protect your peace and pursue the life you want with faith, resilience and persistence. Tune in for more...

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October 23, 2026

Dr Naadiyah Sterianos – Trauma Director and Trauma Surgeon – Resilience

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Naadiyah Sterianos, a specialist trauma surgeon, academic and healthcare leader.  She serves as Trauma Director and Surgeon at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital, h...

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Malini Bhana, a specialist general surgeon focused on hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery, one of medicine’s most intricate and demanding fields. From an early interest in research to discovering the practical, problem-solving power of surgery, Dr Bhana’s journey reflects curiosity, discipline and a commitment to helping patients through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Finding Her Place in the Operating Theatre Initially drawn to the academic and research side of medicine, Dr Bhana could not imagine herself in clinical work. That changed during internship. Despite warnings that surgery would be gruelling, she found a field that matched the way she thinks: assess the problem, plan a solution, act decisively and help the patient recover. The hands-on nature of the work made everything fall into place. The Precision and Challenge of HPB Surgery After being captivated by the speed and adrenaline of trauma surgery, Dr Bhana was drawn to the deeper planning and technical precision of HPB procedures involving the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. These complex operations demand detailed anatomical knowledge, meticulous preparation and sustained concentration. For her, that difficulty is precisely part of the appeal. A Defining Whipple Procedure One patient remains unforgettable: the first person on whom Dr Bhana performed a Whipple procedure independently during her fellowship. The six-to-eight-hour operation for pancreatic cancer involves removing several structures and performing a complex reconstruction. Guiding that patient from diagnosis through surgery, recovery and discharge marked the moment she felt she had achieved a long-held professional goal. Laser Focus, Stamina and Humanity Long operations require both physical fitness and an extraordinary ability to focus. Dr Bhana explains that when a life is in her hands, the patient on the table becomes the only priority. Yet she does not see emotional investment as a weakness. Caring deeply must be balanced with clear decision-making, perspective, trusted colleagues, opportunities to debrief and a life beyond medicine. Women’s Health: Symptoms That Should Not Be Dismissed The conversation offers an important health message for women. Dr Bhana discusses women’s greater susceptibility to gallstones and certain liver adenomas, and cautions against dismissing persistent upper or right-sided abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. Her message is simple: listen to your body, seek medical advice and do not ignore symptoms that continue. Rethinking a Profession Built Around Extreme Hours Although more women are entering surgery, Dr Bhana is candid about the structural obstacles that remain. Training, on-call duties and unpredictable operations do not fit neatly around family responsibilities, while extreme fatigue can become unsafe for clinicians and patients alike. Flexible programmes are emerging, but the challenge is to create sustainable pathways without depriving trainees of essential experience. Representation Changes What Women Believe Is Possible For Dr Bhana, gender equality is about more than equal numbers. It means a workplace where gender does not limit opportunity or diminish the value placed on someone’s contribution. Seeing women perform complex surgery, lead professional bodies and speak on international platforms can expand other women’s sense of what is possible. Opportunity should be open to all, with achievement grounded in skill and merit. Mentorship Opens Doors Mentors played a decisive part in Dr Bhana becoming an HPB surgeon. To her, mentorship goes far beyond teaching technique: it is having someone who believes in you, helps you navigate difficult decisions and encourages you to pursue opportunities you may not recognise in yourself. Her involvement in teaching, the European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association and the HPB Insights podcast allows her to pass that support forward while connecting with a wider international community. Bringing Specialist Care Closer to Home Establishing her own practice at Mediclinic Limpopo has given Dr Bhana the opportunity to shape care around meticulous preparation, continuity and individual attention rather than volume. It also brings scarce specialist services closer to patients who previously had to travel to Johannesburg or Pretoria, allowing them to remain nearer to the families and support networks that matter during treatment. Define Success for Yourself Dr Bhana credits a supportive family, inspiring women, hard work and the freedom to follow what she loves. Her closing message to girls and young women is to take opportunities, resist other people’s limitations and define success on their own terms. A meaningful life can hold ambition and personal fulfilment together and when no one like you is visible in the room, sometimes the task is to become the first and open the door for those who follow. Tune in for more…

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October 1, 2026

Dr Malini Bhana – Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgeon – Follow Your Heart

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Malini Bhana, a specialist general surgeon focused on hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery, one of medicine’s most intricate and demanding fields. From an...

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with neurosurgeon Dr Lauren Ford, whose work spans traumatic brain injury, neurosurgical oncology and spinal surgery. From a childhood fascination with medicine to a career operating at millimetre-level precision, Dr Ford shares the experiences, relationships and determination that shaped her path. The conversation moves beyond the operating theatre to explore women’s neurological health, compassionate patient care, the realities of a demanding surgical career and the importance of perseverance. When the Speciality Chooses You Dr Ford says she always wanted to be a doctor. Early encounters with serious illness; her own childhood medical emergency and her younger brother’s recovery from multi-organ failure and a stroke, gave that ambition a deeply personal foundation. Her fascination with the brain and nervous system began early, and by Grade 9 she was already imagining the seemingly impossible. In her words, neurosurgery ultimately “chose” her. Where Millimetres Matter Neurosurgery demands extraordinary accuracy: a deviation of one or two millimetres can have catastrophic consequences. Dr Ford explains how magnifying loupes, microscopes, careful positioning and steady hands support delicate brain procedures, while spinal surgery calls for a different kind of physical endurance. Across both, technical excellence must be matched by calm judgement and an acute awareness of what is at stake. “Time Is Brain” Working in high-volume public hospitals exposed Dr Ford to severe trauma and unforgettable emergencies, such as men walking into casualty with bottles in their heads or knives in their necks. She describes the urgency of treating brain bleeds, where every delay can worsen the outcome, and recalls an 89-year-old patient who survived after an emergency procedure and still returns to visit her. These cases capture the intensity of the field, and the profound reward of seeing a patient walk out of hospital when there was once very little hope. Patients Are Never Just Numbers For Dr Ford, medicine is as much about connection as intervention. She speaks movingly about a young patient whom she operated on three times, making sure the child, not only her parents, understood what was happening. Their continuing bond reflects her belief that good care means walking a path with patients and families, including through the uncertainty and grief that can accompany brain tumours. A Female Lens on Neurological Health The interview highlights neurological conditions that may affect women differently or more frequently, including meningiomas, aneurysms, carpal tunnel syndrome, prolactinomas and benign intracranial hypertension. Dr Ford encourages women to pay attention to new or unexplained symptoms such as changes in smell or vision and severe pressure headaches, while stressing that symptoms and treatment depend on the individual and the location of the condition. Women in a Demanding Surgical World Neurosurgery is becoming more inclusive, but its long hours and relentless demands still create particular pressures for women balancing professional and family responsibilities. Dr Ford reflects on entering a field with very few female specialists and seeing more women now qualify each year. She also argues that women bring valuable dimensions to medicine, including empathy, communication and a willingness to sit with patients through difficult moments. Success Is Built on Support Behind Dr Ford’s achievements is a strong network: a supportive partner, a close-knit family, faith, mentors and accomplished women who model purposeful lives. She protects her own balance through exercise, singing in a community choir and making room for interests beyond medicine. Her experience in private practice has also required her to learn new skill sets of leadership, finance and business management, without losing the compassionate heart of a doctor. A Message to the Next Generation The conversation closes with a simple, powerful message: do not give up. Dr Ford was not accepted into medicine in the first round, but she kept applying, kept working and stayed true to the career she wanted. For girls considering science, medicine or surgery, her advice is to choose subjects carefully, pursue excellence, seek practical exposure and work hard. Passion may open the door, but perseverance carries you through it. Tune in for more…

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September 25, 2026

Dr Lauren Ford – Neurosurgeon – Solutionist

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with neurosurgeon Dr Lauren Ford, whose work spans traumatic brain injury, neurosurgical oncology and spinal surgery. From a childhood fascination with medicine to ...

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Melody Sun, a general ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon in private practice. Dr Sun’s career brings together medicine, technology and the precision of delicate surgery, driven by a deep interest in the human body, a commitment to problem-solving and a passion for restoring vision. Her path into medicine began with curiosity and courage. Growing up in a family where illness was often associated with fear, Dr Sun wanted to understand how modern medicine can treat disease. For her, medicine encompasses the body’s intricate systems, the people it treats, compassion and helping patients overcome uncertainty. Finding Her Way into Ophthalmology Although ophthalmology was not a major focus during her medical training, a suggestion from her father helped open the door to the speciality. What began as a recommendation became a field she embraced fully. Dr Sun describes the eye as both a world of its own and a window into the rest of the body, making ophthalmology a discipline that combines medical insight with surgical precision. The Precision and Impact of Restoring Sight As a refractive surgeon, Dr Sun works in an area of ophthalmology focused on reducing patients’ dependence on glasses or contact lenses. She explains procedures such as laser vision correction, implantable contact lenses and modern cataract surgery in accessible terms, showing how advances in technology and surgical planning can transform daily life. Cataract surgery, in particular, can restore independence and dignity to patients who may have lost the ability to navigate, groom themselves or recognise their loved ones clearly. Women in a Specialised Surgical Field The conversation explores the realities of building a career as a woman in a demanding surgical speciality. Dr Sun reflects on the importance of kindness, encouragement and mentorship, recalling how supportive colleagues helped build her confidence as she learned cataract surgery. She also speaks honestly about pregnancy, motherhood and training, noting that women often have to navigate career milestones alongside family decisions, and that support within the workplace can make a profound difference. Women’s Eye Health Matters Applying a gender lens to eye health, Dr Sun highlights conditions that may affect women more frequently, including dry eye linked to hormonal changes, pregnancy-related vision changes and eye complications associated with autoimmune disease. We discuss the relatively low allocation of research funding towards women’s health, which emphasises reproductive health, and we argue that women’s health should not be reduced to reproductive health alone. Greater awareness, advocacy and research funding are needed to understand how different conditions affect women across the whole body. Building a Practice and a Life with Purpose Beyond clinical work, Dr Sun is also building her own clinic, a process she describes as humbling, uncertain and outside her comfort zone. Yet it also represents freedom: the freedom to shape patient care, build something of her own and bring her personal vision into practice. Her reflections on balance are grounded in realism rather than perfection. She emphasises organisation, prioritisation and the need for women not to neglect themselves while managing career, family and responsibility. The conversation closes with a message of resilience and boldness. Dr Sun encourages girls and women to build strong foundations, especially in maths and science if they are considering medicine, but also to remember that they do not need to have their whole lives figured out early. Her advice is to find your “why”, keep going when the path becomes difficult, appreciate the journey and be audacious enough to ask for what you want, because the worst answer is simply no. Tune in for more...

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September 4, 2026

Dr Melody Sun – Ophthalmologist and Refractive Surgeon – Grow

This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Melody Sun, a general ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon in private practice. Dr Sun’s career brings together medicine, technology and the precision o...

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Sebastiana Kalula, emeritus associate professor, specialist physician in geriatric medicine, Director of the Albertina and Walter Sisulu Institute of Ageing in Africa, and Co-Director of the International Longevity Centre South Africa at the University of Cape Town. As global life expectancy rises, Dr Kalula unpacks one of the most pressing issues of our time: how to ensure that longer lives are also healthier, dignified, and equitable — especially for women. From Rural Zambia to Global Leadership in Ageing Dr Kalula reflects on her journey from growing up in rural eastern Zambia, supported by parents who valued education despite not having had the opportunity themselves, to qualifying in medicine and eventually discovering geriatric medicine in the UK. What began as a practical career pathway became a calling. She describes geriatrics as a specialty that blends science and humanity — one that looks beyond a single disease to consider the whole person: physical health, mental well-being, social context, and functional ability. Her career has since positioned her at the forefront of ageing research and advocacy across Africa, where the demographic shift toward older populations is accelerating rapidly. Health Span vs. Lifespan: A Critical Distinction One of the most powerful insights from the conversation is Dr Kalula’s emphasis on extending health span rather than simply lifespan. Living longer, she cautions, is not the goal if those additional years are marked by disability and poor quality of life. She explains that while genetics contribute approximately 25% to longevity, the majority of our health outcomes are shaped by social determinants: education, income, access to healthcare, safe environments, and lifestyle choices. The conditions in which we are born, grow, work and age profoundly shape how long, and how well, we live. Her practical advice is clear: Prioritise whole foods over processed diets Stay physically active at every age Protect sleep and manage stress Remain socially connected Invest in preventive healthcare early in life Healthy ageing, she reminds us, is a life-course process, not a switch we flip at 60. The Gendered Reality of Ageing in Africa Dr Kalula explains that women live longer than men, which means they carry a disproportionate burden of age-related conditions such as dementia. But biology tells only part of the story. Lifetime inequalities, such as limited access to education, unpaid caregiving roles, economic insecurity, and widowhood, compound women’s vulnerability in later life. Chronic stress, she explains, elevates cortisol levels, weakens immunity, increases inflammation, and raises the risk of conditions such as diabetes and vascular disease, all of which can contribute to cognitive decline. In the African context, the challenges can be even more severe. Widowed older women often face social exclusion, loneliness, poverty, and in some communities, even harmful stigma. The emotional and psychological toll of these realities can itself increase dementia risk. Dr Kalula calls for stronger legal protections, income security through pensions, age-friendly healthcare systems, and, critically, better age- and gender-disaggregated data to inform policy. Dementia, Vascular Health and Prevention The conversation also tackles dementia — a growing global health concern. Dr Kalula highlights that in Africa, vascular disease (including strokes and poor circulation to the brain) is a major contributor to dementia. This underscores the importance of managing blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors early in life. She also emphasises the importance of brain stimulation. Education, meaningful work, continuous learning, and challenging routines all help maintain cognitive reserve. The brain, like the body, needs exercise. Leadership, Mentorship and Building Sustainable Success Beyond medicine, Dr Kalula shares powerful reflections on leadership. She speaks about the importance of mentorship at every stage of life, humility in leadership, and building respectful teams where others can flourish.  She is also a member of the African Research on Ageing Network (AFRAN), the Global Aging Research Network (GARN), the South African Geriatrics Society (SAGS) and the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG Balancing an academic medical career with family life required resilience, clarity of priorities, reliable childcare, and strong support systems at home and work. “No one succeeds alone,” she reflects, emphasising the value of quality friendships and supportive networks. Her philosophy of success moves beyond achievement to sustainability, well-being, and community impact. A Call to Action for Women In her closing message to girls and women, Dr Kalula encourages continuous self-development: Be the best version of yourself wherever you are Seek mentors Keep learning Challenge your mind Compete against yourself, not others Define where you want to be — and work toward it deliberately Ageing, she reminds us, is universal: “We are all getting there, if we are lucky.” The question is whether we will build societies that allow women to age with dignity, inclusion, and vitality. Tune in for more

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February 19, 2026

Dr. Sebastiana Kalula – Specialist Physician in Geriatric Medicine, UCT – Invest in your healthspan

This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Sebastiana Kalula, emeritus associate professor, specialist physician in geriatric medicine, Director of the Albertina and Walter Sisulu Institute of Agein...

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...

In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka  speaks with Dr. Lori Eddy, a counselling psychologist in private practice, as part of Womanity’s commemoration of World Mental Health Day. Our discussion journeys into the heart of what it means to be human, to hurt, to heal, and to grow; offering an illuminating perspective on how the mind recovers, rebuilds, and reclaims balance. Dr. Eddy unpacks the role of counselling psychology from its clinical counterpart. While clinical psychology often focuses on acute or severe mental disorders treated in hospital settings, counselling psychology embraces a holistic, wellness-oriented approach aimed at helping individuals move from crisis to growth, from surviving to thriving. It is about working with the full spectrum of human experience: navigating anxiety, burnout, grief, and trauma, but also encouraging self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. Dr. Eddy helps people become their best selves and live their best life. Motivated by empathy and a lifelong curiosity about human emotion and behavior, Dr. Eddy describes how psychology offered her both a framework for understanding others and a path to facilitate positive change. She views her therapeutic relationships as sacred, safe spaces built on trust, compassion, and non-judgment — spaces where clients can confront vulnerability and reemerge stronger. Part of the conversation explores the therapeutic modalities Dr. Eddy uses in her practice. She introduces  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). A groundbreaking, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals heal from trauma by reprocessing distressing memories. Dr. Eddy explains how EMDR mimics the brain’s natural memory integration processes that occur during REM sleep, allowing traumatic memories to be safely revisited, reframed, and neutralized. She illustrates the power of EMDR through a remarkable real-life case. A 17-year-old girl, wheelchair-bound due to unexplained leg paralysis (conversion disorder), had exhausted every medical option before being referred to Dr. Eddy. Using EMDR, the young woman gradually unearthed long-suppressed memories of childhood sexual abuse. Through the therapy, she reprocessed her trauma, released her self-blame, and ultimately recovered full mobility. Today, she is thriving — a university graduate with a career in education and a positive outlook on life. Dr. Eddy also shares a second case that resonates deeply with many women. It tells of a high-performing executive — a woman who appeared to have everything under control but was internally unraveling. Plagued by exhaustion, anxiety, and self-doubt, she dismissed her mental health struggles as weakness. Through therapy, she learned that mental health deserves the same legitimacy as physical health, and that strength also lies in acknowledging when you’re not okay. This journey, Dr. Eddy notes, reflects a pattern she sees often among women who shoulder unrealistic expectations, both societal and self-imposed, to “do it all.” Her message is clear: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Reflecting on her personal journey, Dr. Eddy credits three women who shaped her strength and perseverance — her mother, grandmother, and academic supervisor. Her grandmother, who raised a disabled child in an era when disability carried heavy stigma, modeled unconditional love and resilience. Her mother, who has navigated loss and caretaking with grace, continues to embody compassion and grit. “As the conversation draws to a close, Dr. Eddy shares a message of empowerment and compassion for women everywhere: “Self-care is not selfish. Give yourself permission to put yourself in your own equation. When you invest in your mental health, everyone around you benefits. Mental health really does matter — and there’s nothing weak about reaching out for help.” Through her stories, insights, and gentle wisdom, Dr. Lori Eddy reminds us that healing begins with awareness, courage, and compassion — for ourselves and for others. This episode stands as a heartfelt call to destigmatize mental illness, embrace vulnerability, and honor the strength it takes to heal. Tune in for more…

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October 30, 2025

Dr Lori Eddy – Counselling Psychologist – Thrive

In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka  speaks with Dr. Lori Eddy, a counselling psychologist in private practice, as part of Womanity’s commemoration of World Mental Health Day. Our dis...

In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr. Colinda Linde, a clinical psychologist who is celebrating 33 years in practice. This conversation commemorates World Mental Health Day, and Dr Linde shares some of the unique challenges facing women today. Dr. Linde kicks off the discussion with shocking statistics from the South African context, revealing that only 5% of the national health budget is dedicated to mental health, despite global figures indicating that one in three people struggles with their mental well-being. South Africa's resources are severely limited: there are only about 3,000 registered clinical psychologists and 780 psychiatrists for the approximately 20 million people who need support. Dr. Linde, who also does advocacy work through the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) , stresses that World Mental Health Day serves as a vital reminder to take mental well-being as seriously as physical health. Driven by a passion to break down stigma and improve access to support, she advocates for people to take their mental health as seriously as their physical health. Furthermore, there are insufficient numbers of mental health practitioners. The interview delves into Dr. Linde's journey in psychology, which allowed her to converge multiple interests into a fulfilling field and also opened a career that provided autonomy. Throughout our conversation, she emphasises creating options for yourself. She has a philosophy that ‘there is a tool for everything — you just need to match the tool to the person, problem or situation. One of her main therapeutic modalities is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based approach. She explains that, unlike traditional psychoanalytic work, CBT is collaborative, skills-based, and focused on the "here and now," teaching clients how to manage the powerful link between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This practical approach is proven to be highly effective for issues like anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout, with the ultimate goal of training people to not need therapy. Dr. Linde tackles the complex life of the modern woman. From the physical and hormonal shifts of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, to the societal pressures of balancing a career (her "first child") with family life, she highlights how women's brains, which "spotlight and then floodlight" everything, lead to constant activation. She introduces her own term for the modern working mother: the "Voldemort Woman"—she who should not be named—a woman with no established role model for juggling a beloved career, motherhood, marriage, and self-care. Dr. Linde closes the conversation with two powerful mantras: Unlearn and Relearn: Inspired by Alvin Toffler, she urges women to continuously "learn, unlearn, and relearn" and to forge a path that truly resonates with them. Balanced Self-Care: Quoting Maya Angelou, she reminds women that they have "two hands, one for helping others and one for helping yourself," stressing the importance of balancing giving out with what they receive. Tune in for more…

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October 24, 2025

Dr Colinda Linde – Clinical Psychologist – Create Options

In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr. Colinda Linde, a clinical psychologist who is celebrating 33 years in practice. This conversation commemorates World Mental Health Day...

In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka  speaks with Dr. Giada Del Fabbro, a forensic and clinical psychologist whose career explores the intersection between human emotion, mental health, and the law. This conversation forms part of Womanity’s tribute to World Mental Health Day, highlighting the vital message that “there is no health without mental health Dr. Del Fabbro begins by sharing how her fascination with human behaviour – why people do what they do – led her into the world of psychology. Initially drawn to clinical practice for its focus on healing and resilience, she later expanded into forensic psychology, where the complexities of the human mind meet the formal structures of the courtroom. She describes her work in the legal sphere as being an “interpreter between the human psyche and the legal system,”. While the demand for forensic psychologists in South Africa is high, there remains a shortage of practitioners, particularly in public service. The work is emotionally demanding and intellectually exacting – often requiring a delicate balance between objectivity, compassion, and ethical integrity. Dr. Del Fabbro juggles multiple professional roles — from therapy and medico-legal assessments to teaching and supervision. For Dr. Del Fabbro, this variety is not a burden but a design choice. It allows her to keep her work dynamic and intellectually stimulating. She relies on strict boundary setting and compartmentalisation, ensuring that empathy guides her therapy sessions while analytical precision defines her forensic work. Each role requires a different hat, and maintaining those distinctions helps prevent emotional fatigue and professional burnout. On the broader topic of women’s mental health, Dr. Del Fabbro identifies three recurring challenges she encounters in her practice: the anxiety–perfectionism trap, identity loss, and relational dynamics. To counter these pressures, she encourages women to shift their mindset from doing to being. This means embracing radical self-compassion, replacing inner criticism with kindness, setting non-negotiable boundaries to protect emotional energy, and reconnecting with the body through mindful movement. “Stress is stored physically,” she reminds us, and small acts like stretching, breath work, or dancing can release emotional tension and restore balance. In closing, Dr. Del Fabbro offers an empowering message to all women: “Your voice is your power. Prioritise education and emotional health. Find mentors who see your potential, not your limitations. Be brave, be kind to yourself, and never hesitate to step into your full potential.”

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October 21, 2025

Dr Giada Del Fabbro, a Forensic & Clinical Psychologist – Your Voice is Your Power

In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka  speaks with Dr. Giada Del Fabbro, a forensic and clinical psychologist whose career explores the intersection between human emotion, mental health, ...

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