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Womanity - Women in Unity
Hosted by Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka Producer · EN
“Womanity – Women in Unity” is a weekly gender based programme produced by Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka
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Dr Olivia Matshabane: Neuroethicist – Department of Psychiatry at Stellenbosch University – Pioneer
1w ago00:40:00Tap to summarizeThis episode of Womanity celebrates Africa’s Women’s Day, which is commemorated annually on 31 July. This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr. Olivia Matshabane is a Neuroethicist and the Principal Investigator of the Africa Neuroethics Research Group in the SAMRC/SU Genomics of Brain Disorders Unit within the Department of Psychiatry at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Her groundbreaking work is helping to shape the ethical future of neuroscience, neuropsychiatric genomics and artificial intelligence across Africa. Turning Exclusion into Purpose Dr Matshabane shares the moment that transformed her career. While researching neuroethics, she realised there were virtually no African voices represented in the field. Rather than accepting this absence, she chose to become one of Africa’s first neuroethicists, creating opportunities for future generations of African researchers and ensuring that the continent has a voice in shaping global scientific debates. Her journey demonstrates how representation can inspire innovation, resilience and lasting change. What Exactly is Neuroethics? Although unfamiliar to many, neuroethics is becoming increasingly important in an AI-driven world. Dr Matshabane explains how the discipline explores questions such as: How should brain technologies be developed and used responsibly? Who owns our brain data? How do we protect mental privacy? Can technology influence our decisions without us realising it? What ethical safeguards should exist as neuroscience and AI become more intertwined? As technologies evolve rapidly, neuroethics is becoming essential for protecting human dignity, autonomy and privacy. Why African Perspectives Matter A key theme throughout our discussion is the importance of ensuring that Africa contributes to global conversations about science and technology. Dr Matshabane explains that concepts such as privacy, consent and decision-making are often understood differently across cultures. Some cultures may place greater emphasis on families and communities rather than purely individual rights, meaning ethical frameworks developed for a different context cannot simply be applied without adaptation. Accessibility is another key issue to consider when trying to create technologies that genuinely serve diverse populations. Building Ethical AI for Everyone Artificial intelligence offers enormous potential for improving healthcare, diagnosis and treatment. However, it also raises significant ethical concerns, like protecting sensitive mental health and neurological data; preventing commercial misuse of brain information; safeguarding cognitive liberty and freedom of thought; ensuring responsible innovation; and designing technologies that benefit society without reinforcing inequality. Arguably ethics must develop alongside technological innovation, not afterwards Research That is Changing Africa Dr Matshabane has several research projects underway, and she highlights one in particular, a multi-million rand, multi-country neuroethics research programme spanning South Africa and Kenya. The project brings together researchers, communities and individuals living with neurological conditions to help shape ethical guidelines that reflect African realities. Beyond the research itself, the project is building a new generation of African neuroethicists through mentorship, collaboration and capacity development across more than twelve African countries. The Power of Mentorship Throughout her career, women mentors opened doors, challenged Dr Matshabane to believe in herself and encouraged her to pursue opportunities she may never have imagined. Today, she is committed to paying that support forward by mentoring students, nurturing future researchers and creating opportunities for emerging scholars. Mentorship is bi-directional; both mentees and mentors benefit from the relationship. You are never too young to mentor someone else. Advice for Young Women Entering Science For young women considering careers in psychology, neuroscience, AI or ethics, Dr Matshabane offers practical advice: Build strong AI and digital literacy skills alongside ethics training. Learn to work across disciplines and collaborate with people from different fields. Understand Africa’s development priorities and align your work with solving real societal challenges. Know your strengths, values, purpose, and what gives you a sense of meaning. Protect your time by learning when to say “no.” Be bold enough to reach out to leaders, you may be surprised who responds Tune in for more…
Transcribe →Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola: African Feminist Imaginations – Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University – Feminism and Community Power
2w ago00:40:01Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola, an award-winning author, literary and cultural scholar, and the NRF SARChI Chair in African Feminist Imaginations at Nelson Mandela University. This conversation explores the power of imagination, the evolution of African feminism, and the importance of creating communities that enable women to thrive professionally. A Childhood Built on Books and Curiosity Professor Gqola reflects on growing up in a family where reading was simply part of everyday life. Weekly visits to the library, parents who nurtured curiosity, and a home where questions were encouraged cultivated a lifelong passion for literature and critical thinking. She explains how books opened worlds beyond day-to-day realities – new ideas, different perspectives – and laid the foundation for her academic journey. Finding Feminism Before Knowing Its Name Long before she understood the language of feminism, Professor Gqola was surrounded by remarkable women who challenged convention. From family members and community activists to influential writers she discovered later in life, these women shaped her understanding of courage, leadership and possibility. By the age of fifteen, she recognised that feminism simply gave a name to values she had already embraced. The Power of African Feminist Imagination Professor Gqola holds the SARChi Chair in African Feminist Imaginations. What does this mean? Rather than viewing literature, music, art, film and activism as separate disciplines, she explains how imagination flows across them all, creating new ways of thinking about freedom, identity and justice. She argues that imagination does far more than reflect society, it actively helps co-create it. Stories, music and artistic expression influence how we see ourselves, what we believe is possible, and how societies evolve. Why African Feminism Matters Professor Gqola offers a nuanced perspective on African feminism, describing it as deeply connected to Africa’s histories, cultures and diversity while remaining part of a broader global feminist movement. She highlights that African feminism values difference as a source of collective strength rather than division. It embraces complexity, intersectionality and Pan-African solidarity while continually adapting to new social and political realities rather than relying on past solutions. Breaking Barriers in Academia Drawing on her own career, Professor Gqola shares the realities of often being the first, or only, Black woman in senior academic spaces. While many celebrate these milestones, she reminds listeners that being “the first” often reveals the systemic barriers that have excluded others. Her goal, she says, has never been to remain exceptional but to ensure many more women follow, making the “first” eventually unremarkable, be the 300th instead. Building Communities That Help Women Thrive One of Professor Gqola’s pieces of advice emphasies community. She encourages women to intentionally create supportive networks where ideas can be challenged honestly, growth is encouraged, and isolation is replaced with belonging. These trusted communities become spaces for rigorous thinking, mutual encouragement and collective advancement. Importantly, she believes that once these spaces are created, women have a responsibility to sustain them for future generations. Protecting Your Dreams As the interview draws to a close, Professor Gqola encourages young women and girls to protect their dreams before sharing them too widely, recognising that even well-meaning people can unintentionally diminish aspirations. She urges young women to nurture belief in themselves, remain true to their ambitions, and trust that somewhere in the world there are many others who share similar dreams and aspirations. No one is truly alone, and communities of like-minded women can, and will, be found. Look for your tribe. Tune in for more…
Transcribe →Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim: Pro Vice-Chancellor for Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal; President of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS); Co-founder CAPRISA – Pioneer
3w ago00:40:00Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, one of the world’s foremost infectious disease epidemiologists, whose pioneering work has transformed HIV prevention for women and shaped global public health. She is the Co-founder and Associate Scientific Director of CAPRISA, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at Columbia University in New York, and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She also serves as President of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and is the UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV. From growing up during apartheid to becoming a globally respected scientist, Professor Abdool Karim shares part of her journey that led her to dedicate more than four decades to tackling one of the world’s greatest health challenges – HIV. Along the way, she reflects on the role of curiosity, social justice, perseverance and collaboration in driving scientific breakthroughs that have saved countless lives. Changing the Global Understanding of HIV One of the defining moments of her career came when her early research uncovered a striking reality: young women in Southern Africa were becoming infected with HIV years earlier and at significantly higher rates than men. At a time when the global HIV conversation focused largely on men-to-men infection, blood transfusion and injectable drug users, her findings challenged conventional thinking and placed women’s vulnerability firmly on the international agenda. Professor Abdool Karim explains how gender inequality, biological factors and social circumstances combine to create unique risks for women, highlighting why addressing HIV requires far more than medical interventions alone. For example, non-consensual sex, unprotected intercourse and although a woman may be monogamous, if her partner has multiple partners, this negatively impacts on her safety and prevention of sexually transmitted disease. Creating Prevention Tools Women Could Control Recognising that existing HIV prevention methods relied heavily on male cooperation, Professor Abdool Karim and her colleagues embarked on an 18-year scientific journey to develop prevention methods women could use independently. That persistence ultimately led to a landmark breakthrough: proving that antiretroviral medication could prevent HIV infection before exposure, paving the way for today’s pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). She also discusses the exciting promise of long-acting HIV prevention injections that could dramatically improve protection for women and other high-risk groups around the world. Science Alone Isn’t Enough While celebrating remarkable scientific advances, Professor Abdool Karim emphasises that discoveries only matter if they reach the people who need them most. She reflects on the importance of activism, global partnerships and sustained investment to ensure that innovation translates into real-world impact at scale. With ambitious global HIV targets still within reach, she warns that declining funding and complacency threaten decades of progress. Building Africa’s Next Generation of Scientists Beyond her own research achievements, Professor Abdool Karim considers her greatest legacy to be the thousands of researchers she has mentored throughout Africa. She shares why creating opportunities for women in science has a multiplier effect, which not only strengthens research capacity but also positively transforms families, communities and future generations. Her advice to young women is both practical and inspiring: believe that you belong, pursue your passion fearlessly, and never allow others to define your potential. Authentic Leadership with Integrity Drawing on decades of leadership across international scientific organisations, Professor Abdool Karim offers her insights into authentic leadership. She argues that leadership is less about authority and more about stewardship, of being guided by integrity, humility, listening deeply, and creating opportunities for others to thrive. For her, great leaders amplify the voices of those who are often unheard while building environments where collaboration and ethical decision-making flourish. The Power of Curiosity and Community Professor Abdool Karim reflects warmly on the family, teachers and mentors who nurtured her natural curiosity from childhood. She recalls a family memory of discovering electricity by putting her fingers into a wall socket and the excitement this sparked, which led her to attend school a year earlier. She credits these early influences, together with the unwavering partnership of her husband and the support of family and colleagues, for enabling her to balance an extraordinary career with a rich personal life. She also highlights the importance of resilience and finding lessons even in criticism, determining that some people exhibit behaviours that are examples not to follow, remaining patient through setbacks, and always staying focused on the larger purpose. A Vision for Humanity’s Future Looking ahead, Professor Abdool Karim shares her optimism about the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence, scientific innovation and global collaboration. At the same time, she cautions that these advances must serve all of humanity, reducing inequalities rather than widening them. Her vision extends far beyond today’s challenges, calling for a future where science contributes not only to better health, but also to sustainable development, economic opportunity and planetary wellbeing. Professor Abdool Karim closes the show with memorable words of wisdom: “Never underestimate the power of being underestimated.” Tune in for more…
Transcribe →Dr Nontobeko Ntombela: Wits School of Arts, Wits University – Trust Your Inner Voice
4w ago00:40:01Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Nontobeko Ntombela, curator, scholar, educator, champion of African Art and Co-Deputy Head of the Wits School of Arts at Wits University. A Journey Shaped by Curiosity Dr Ntombela reflects on her unexpected path into the art world, describing how a love for creativity, inspired by her father’s sketches and her aunt’s basket weaving, eventually led her to become one of South Africa’s leading curators. She shares how working with community artists challenged everything she had learnt through formal education and taught her to value lived experience alongside academic knowledge. Recovering the Stories of Black Women Artists One of Dr Ntombela’s landmark exhibitions, When Rain Clouds Gather: South African Black Women Artists 1940–2000, gave long-overdue recognition to generations of remarkable women artists. Her research showed that the first recognised black woman artist in South Africa was Gladys Mgudlandlu, through her work in the 1960s. Part of the challenge in artistic recognition is how art is defined, how women’s contributions are defined, and understanding the types of conditions women had to navigate. The Art and Purpose of Curating The world of curating may be a mystery for some. Dr Ntombela shares insights into the role of a curator that goes beyond simply organising exhibitions to storyteller, researcher and custodian of cultural memory who asks important questions through carefully assembled collections. She also explains the evolving role of independent curators in post-apartheid South Africa and bringing together artists, institutions and communities to create meaningful public conversations. Motherhood, Leadership and Living with Purpose Real life is messy. Dr Ntombela reflects on juggling academic leadership, public service and motherhood. Rather than presenting the illusion of perfect balance, she speaks honestly about the complexity of navigating multiple responsibilities while striving to lead by example for her children and students alike. Her reflections on the quiet strength of her mother and grandmother provide a moving reminder that leadership exists in many forms and can expressed through resilience, humility and service. Following the Voice Within Closing the interview, Dr Ntombela shares wise advice for girls and women considering their own futures. Encouraging listeners to trust their intuition, embrace hard work, and pursue paths that may not yet be clearly defined, she reminds us that many of today’s careers and tomorrow’s opportunities did not exist a generation ago. Success often comes not from following well-worn roads, but from having the courage to create your own. Tune in for more…
Transcribe →Dr Refiloe Lepere: Wits School of Education, Wits University – Multiplicity
Jul 300:40:01Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Refiloe Lepere, an award-winning gender scholar, storyteller, performer, community-accountable theatre maker, and lecturer at the Wits School of Education. Dr. Lepere uses storytelling and performance to explore Black feminist aesthetics, racial justice, identity, and joy. Growing Up in a Community that Created Artists Dr Lepere reflects on her childhood in Soweto, where neighbours, teachers, artists and family members collectively nurtured creativity. She shares how dance, storytelling, music and books became the foundation of her career, demonstrating the role that communities played in shaping her development. Black Feminist Aesthetics and the Importance of Black Joy We explore Dr Lepere’s pioneering work on Black feminist aesthetics and why she believes the everyday creativity of Black women deserves greater recognition. Rather than defining Black experiences solely through struggle and lamentation, she advocates celebrating joy, imagination, beauty, and the richness of everyday life as equally powerful forms of expression and truths. Breaking Out of Society’s Boxes One of the topics raised in this interview is how education and institutions often encourage conformity instead of individuality. Dr Lepere challenges conventional ideas of success and specialisation, arguing that people are naturally multi-dimensional and should not have to sacrifice parts of themselves to fit into predetermined categories. Creating Theatre that Heals Communities Drawing on more than forty original performance works staged across Africa, Europe and North America, Dr Lepere explains how storytelling can become an act of healing. She discusses creating theatre with communities rather than simply for audiences, giving voice to women, domestic workers and young people while using performance to explore gender, justice, memory and collective healing. Redefining Leadership Through Collective Care Moving beyond traditional models of leadership, Dr Lepere introduces the concept of collective leadership; one rooted in collaboration, consultation and humanity rather than hierarchy. She also shares her powerful philosophy of “livability”, arguing that successful organisations should create space for people’s lives, families and wellbeing alongside professional achievement. Education as a Tool for Building New Worlds For Dr Lepere, education extends far beyond qualifications. She describes reading and learning as acts of world-building that expose us to new possibilities, broaden our perspectives and remind us that our experiences are shared by others. Education, she believes, empowers us not only with knowledge but with entirely new ways of seeing ourselves and the world. Choosing Yourself The interview concludes with a memorable message for girls and women everywhere: stop waiting to be chosen. Dr Lepere encourages women to volunteer, ask questions, take up space, speak confidently and make themselves visible. Her closing challenge is to choose yourself and not wait for others to choose you. Tune in for more…
Transcribe →CEO Raubex Group: Felicia Msiza – Leading with Integrity
Jun 2500:40:00Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Felicia Msiza, CEO of the Raubex Group, a JSE-listed company, to explore aspects of her leadership journey, the impact of infrastructure development on communities, and her passion for empowering future generations. From Governance Expert to CEO Ms Msiza reflects on her journey from serving as a non-executive director on the Raubex board in 2011 to becoming CEO in 2022. She shares how years of experience in governance, risk management, auditing, and executive leadership equipped her to transition from oversight into operational leadership. For Ms Msiza, leadership is about more than strategy and performance; it is about setting direction, inspiring confidence, and bringing people along on the journey. She discusses how experiences across both the public and private sectors taught her the importance of accountability, adaptability, and making decisions under pressure. Integrity: The Foundation of Leadership A recurring theme throughout the conversation is integrity. Ms Msiza explains that true leadership requires doing the right thing, even when no one is watching; the truth always holds. Drawing from her experience in both government and corporate environments, she argues that integrity is essential to rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions, and driving sustainable progress. She also highlights the importance of servant leadership, emphasising that leaders exist to serve employees, stakeholders, communities, and society. Staying True to Yourself as a Leader Ms Msiza shares her personal leadership philosophy: remain authentic and grounded in your values. She speaks candidly about the pressures of entering environments, where you may feel compelled to conform to existing cultures and expectations. Her message is clear, women do not need to sacrifice who they are to succeed. Instead, they should lead with confidence, create clarity, empower teams, and remain true to their own identities. The Power of Infrastructure Ms Msiza paints a compelling picture of infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth and social transformation. She discusses opportunities in roads, rail, water, logistics, energy, and public-private partnerships across Southern Africa. She also highlights landmark projects that Raubex has developed, including the Senqu Bridge in Lesotho and the Beitbridge Border Post development on the Zimbabwe side, illustrating how infrastructure improves trade, reduces inefficiencies, creates jobs, and strengthens economies. For example, the Beitbridge Border Post has reduced processing trucks from days to within four hours. Her vision for Raubex is to continue building a resilient, diversified, and high-performing infrastructure group that delivers lasting value across the continent. Creating Opportunities for Young People Youth development is a subject close to Ms Msiza’s heart. She explains how the infrastructure sector serves as a powerful job creator and economic multiplier. Through initiatives such as the Raubex Academy, bursary programmes, mentorship opportunities, and subcontractor development, the company is actively creating pathways for young people to enter the workforce and build sustainable careers. In a country where youth unemployment sits at 60.9% for 15-24 year olds and 40.6% for 25-34 year olds, these initiatives are critical to South Africa’s economy and its people’s livelihoods. Ms Msiza’s believes that addressing youth unemployment requires collaboration between industry, government, and educational institutions, with infrastructure investment playing a central role. Encouraging More Women into Construction As a female CEO in a traditionally male-dominated sector, Ms Msizais passionate about attracting more women into engineering, construction, and infrastructure careers. She challenges young women to pursue mathematics, science, engineering, and technical disciplines, stressing that construction is no longer a space reserved for men. With evolving workplace policies and increasing opportunities, she believes women can thrive, lead, and make a meaningful impact in the sector. Her message is simple: “We need more women in these spaces.” Education as a Pathway to Empowerment Ms Msiza credits education as one of the most important foundations of her success. From her undergraduate studies to postgraduate qualifications and a master’s degree, education provided her with knowledge, confidence, and a platform to build her career. She encourages young people to invest in learning, pursue excellence, and combine academic achievement with practical experience. She remarks that education opens doors and gives individuals a voice and the ability to shape their futures. The Women Who Shaped Her When reflecting on the women who influenced her life, Ms Msiza pays tribute to her late grandmother and her mother. She describes her grandmother as a community leader who demonstrated that leadership is about service rather than titles. Her mother modelled hard work, resilience, and the ability to balance career, family, and community responsibilities. Together, these women instilled in her a commitment to purpose, dignity, service, and leaving a positive legacy wherever she goes. Your Opportunity Opens the Door Wide for Others In her closing message, Ms Msiza encourages girls and young women to reject limitations placed upon them by others. She reminds listeners that being the first woman in a space does not mean they do not belong; it means they have an opportunity to create pathways for those who follow. Through courage, preparation, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence, women can transform industries, communities, and nations. “Africa needs women’s voices, leadership, courage, and excellence. Lead with purpose, hold on to your values, and never underestimate the power of a woman who knows who she is and is willing to work for the future she believes in.” Felicia Msiza Tune in for more
Transcribe →Professor Sharlene Khan – School of the Arts – WITS University – Use Your Gifts
Jun 1900:39:46Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Prof. Sharlene Khan, an acclaimed South African visual artist, writer, researcher and Associate Professor from the Wits School of the Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand. Through a deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Prof. Khan shares how creativity, storytelling and critical thinking have shaped her journey from a childhood marked by hardship to becoming a respected artist, academic and advocate for African feminisms. Finding Freedom Through Creativity Prof. Khan reflects on growing up in Durban in a money-scarce home marked by violence, where art, books and imagination became powerful tools for survival and self-expression. She recounts how drawing, storytelling and literature offered an escape from difficult circumstances, giving her a vehicle to express retribution against perpetrators. What emerged was not only a passion for creativity, but a lifelong commitment to understanding the world through art and using that understanding to challenge inequality, gender-based violence and injustice. Art That Tells the Stories We Often Overlook Much of Prof. Khan’s artistic work focuses on identity, race, gender, class and belonging in post-apartheid South Africa. Rather than creating decorative art, she uses her practice to explore complex social realities and amplify stories that are often overlooked. Drawing from her own family history, she discusses how themes of poverty, informal trade, migration, resilience and gender-based violence have informed her work. Her art shines a light on the dignity, courage and humanity of ordinary people whose experiences are rarely represented in mainstream narratives. Honouring Women’s Voices Across Generations One of the most moving aspects of the conversation centres on the stories of Prof. Khan’s mother (Devi Khan) and grandmother. Through artworks inspired by family memories, letters and archival materials, she has created powerful tributes to women whose lives were shaped by hardship, cruelty, resilience and determination (Watch “When the Moon Waxes…”) These authentic, deeply personal narratives become universal stories, revealing how the intersections of gender, race, class and history continue to shape the lives of women today. In sharing these experiences, Prof. Khan demonstrates the transformative power of storytelling as both remembrance and resistance. When Art Creates Human Connection Prof. Khan shares remarkable experiences of exhibiting her work internationally, describing how audiences from vastly different cultural backgrounds have connected emotionally with her stories. Whether in galleries, museums, conferences or biennales, her work has inspired people to reflect on their own experiences and engage in conversations about identity, trauma, healing and belonging. In her opinion, the value of art lies not in commercial success, but in its ability to create empathy, foster dialogue and remind us of our shared humanity. Why the Humanities Matter More Than Ever In an era increasingly dominated by technology, artificial intelligence and STEM disciplines, Prof. Khan makes a compelling case for the continued importance of the humanities. She argues that the humanities cultivate critical thinking, imagination and empathy; skills that are essential for understanding ourselves and others. Through literature, art, history and cultural studies, we learn to question assumptions, appreciate diverse perspectives and imagine alternative futures. She spotlights how the humanities challenge the status quo and help societies grapple with complex ethical, social and political issues. Opportunities and Challenges in the Arts The discussion also explores the realities of pursuing a career in the arts. Prof. Khan speaks candidly about the challenges artists face in South Africa, including limited funding, a contracting arts market and the difficulties of sustaining a creative career. At the same time, she highlights the diverse opportunities available to arts graduates. The skills developed through artistic training, such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and empathy, are valuable across a wide range of professions, from education and research to media, culture, business and beyond. A Message of Hope for Women and Girls As the interview draws to a close, Prof. Khan offers a heartfelt message to women and girls across Africa. Acknowledging the difficulties many face, she encourages listeners to trust their journeys, embrace uncertainty and remain open to life’s unexpected possibilities. Her powerful reminder is that while life can be challenging, it is also filled with opportunities for growth, connection and transformation. By believing in their abilities and continuing to move forward, women can create meaningful lives and contribute to positive change in their communities and beyond. “Life is hard, but life is also unbearably kind.” Tune in for more…
Transcribe →Professor Sophie Von Der Heyden – Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University
Jun 1100:40:00Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Sophie Von Der Heyden from the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University and the Von Der Heyden Laboratory. She is a leading marine molecular ecologist, renowned for her pioneering work in aquatic biodiversity, conservation genomics, and climate change research. From East Berlin to the Oceans of Africa Professor von der Heyden’s story begins far from the shores and aquatic ecosystems that would eventually define her career. Growing up in East Berlin, she credits her early fascination with nature to family influences, particularly her brother, who introduced her to exploring and observing wildlife. She reflects on the freedom she experienced as a child; freedom to explore, question, and discover, which she believes laid the foundations for her curiosity-driven approach to science. Why Aquatic Ecosystems Matter Professor von der Heyden explains why aquatic ecosystems continue to captivate her. Oceans, rivers, estuaries, and wetlands remain among the least understood environments on Earth, despite their immense importance to biodiversity, climate regulation, and human livelihoods. She describes Africa as a continent rich with scientific opportunity because so much remains undiscovered. While limited funding and research capacity present challenges, they also create extraordinary opportunities for innovation and discovery. Her work is driven by a desire to contribute pieces to the larger scientific puzzle that ultimately supports better conservation, management, and restoration of vulnerable ecosystems. Building Knowledge Through the Von der Heyden Lab As founder and leader of the Von der Heyden Lab, Professor von der Heyden is passionate about developing the next generation of scientists. While groundbreaking discoveries are important, she emphasises that one of her most significant contributions has been building scientific capacity in Africa. Her laboratory has helped introduce and advance molecular ecology and genomic techniques across the continent, enabling African researchers to address environmental challenges using cutting-edge scientific tools. Through mentorship, teaching, and collaboration, she seeks to create opportunities for emerging scientists while strengthening Africa’s ability to conduct world-class biodiversity research. Climate Change Beneath the Surface While climate change is often discussed in terms of weather events, agriculture, and rising temperatures on land, Professor von der Heyden highlights the profound effects occurring beneath the water’s surface. She explains how rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and changing environmental conditions are affecting marine and freshwater species. Many organisms are being forced to shift their geographical ranges in search of suitable habitats, while others, particularly species restricted to estuaries or isolated ecosystems, have nowhere to go. The conversation also explores concepts such as “coastal squeeze,” where natural habitats like salt marshes and seagrass meadows become trapped between rising seas and human development. These combined pressures illustrate the complex and interconnected nature of environmental challenges. Finding Hope Through Action Despite the seriousness of climate change, Professor von der Heyden stresses the importance of focusing on solutions rather than despair. She encourages individuals to consider practical actions that reduce their environmental footprint, including: Reducing unnecessary travel Walking and using sustainable transport where possible Supporting locally produced food (food has travel miles too) Being conscious of consumption habits Reducing waste and packaging Understanding personal carbon footprints She shares a memorable teaching exercise where students compared their carbon footprints with those of their grandparents, often discovering that previous generations lived significantly more sustainable lifestyles despite having fewer resources. Her message is clear: meaningful change begins with informed, conscious choices Women in Science: Progress and Remaining Challenges Professor von der Heyden reflects positively on the growing participation of women in marine sciences and STEM fields. Over the course of her career, she has witnessed significant increases in female representation and leadership within scientific disciplines. However, she notes that important challenges remain, particularly around retaining talented women in research careers. Balancing professional ambitions with family responsibilities, caregiving, and personal wellbeing continues to be a reality for many women. She advocates for supportive environments, mentorship, and institutional cultures that enable women to flourish at different stages of their careers. Preparing Young People for an Uncertain Future The discussion also turns to education and the future of work. Professor von der Heyden argues that today’s careers are far less linear than in previous generations. In a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, she believes the most valuable skills are: Critical thinking Problem-solving Numerical literacy Adaptability Communication and interpersonal skills While technical knowledge remains important, she suggests that the ability to evaluate information, think independently, and build meaningful human connections will become even more critical in the future. Balancing Science, Family and Life As a mother of three and a successful academic leader, Professor von der Heyden speaks candidly about the realities of balancing family life with a demanding career. She acknowledges the guilt and uncertainty she experienced as a young researcher and parent, but emphasises that balance evolves over time rather than being perfectly achieved. One of her pieces of advice is to accept help when it is offered. She credits much of her success and well-being to the community she has built around her; family, friends, colleagues, and mentors who have provided support throughout different stages of her life. Her perspective challenges the notion that success is achieved alone, highlighting the importance of relationships, collaboration, and mutual support. A Message to Women and Girls Closing the interview, Professor von der Heyden offers heartfelt advice to women and girls pursuing their ambitions: Be comfortable with who you are. Trust yourself and your abilities. Build meaningful relationships. Accept support when it is offered. Stay open to learning from others. Be adaptable when circumstances change. Work hard, but also be kind—to yourself and to others. Her final message beautifully captures the spirit of the conversation: “Be kind, work hard, and believe in who you are.”
Transcribe →Professor Mashiko Setshedi – Head of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital
Jun 400:57:53Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Mashiko Setshedi, Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, she is a leading gastroenterologist, educator, and researcher shaping the future of healthcare in South Africa and developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. From Aspiring Lawyer to Medical Leader Prof. Setshedi shares the unexpected path that led her into medicine. Initially intending to pursue a career in law, a medical school acceptance changed the course of her life. What followed was a deep passion for medicine and a career-defining moment when two influential female professors recognised her potential and encouraged her to pursue internal medicine. Exploring the “Second Brain”: The Fascinating World of Gastroenterology Prof. Setshedi explains why the gastrointestinal system is often referred to as the body’s “second brain,” emphasising its critical role in immunity, nutrition, disease prevention and overall wellbeing. She discusses groundbreaking advances in the field, including: Precision medicine tailored to individual patients. New treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. Minimally invasive procedures replacing traditional surgery. AI-assisted diagnostic technologies that improve accuracy and patient outcomes. Choosing Leadership Over Comfort Prof. Setshedi’s reflects on the difficult decision to step away from some of her direct clinical and research ambitions to lead an entire department. While the move required sacrifice, it ultimately aligned with a deeper sense of purpose: creating lasting impact through education, staff development, culture-building and institutional transformation. Her experience illustrates that leadership often requires embracing opportunities before we feel fully ready for them. Rebuilding Culture Through Compassion and Collaboration Having inherited a high-performing department, Prof. Setshedi chose not to focus solely on technical excellence. Instead, she identified a deeper need: healing and reconnecting a community affected by years of disruption, including student protests, leadership losses, the COVID-19 pandemic and resource constraints. Her leadership philosophy centres on: Collaboration over hierarchy. Listening before directing. Creating environments where people feel valued and heard. Building cultures of belonging, trust and inclusion. She argues that when people feel supported and connected, excellence naturally follows. Transforming Medical Education for a New Generation Teaching remains one of Prof. Setshedi’s greatest passions. She speaks candidly about the need to rethink how doctors are trained, moving away from outdated teaching methods based on intimidation and hierarchy. Her vision for medical education includes: Human-centred learning. Greater empathy and cultural competence. Stronger partnerships between doctors and patients. Curriculum reform that reflects African realities. Using AI to streamline learning and reduce information overload. She believes future healthcare professionals must not only be clinically competent but also deeply compassionate, understanding that medicine is fundamentally a profession of service. Women in Leadership: Progress and Persistent Challenges In our discussion on gender representation in medicine, Prof. Setshedi notes that women often equal or outnumber men at undergraduate level, yet remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions. She explores several contributing factors: Limited succession planning. Lack of sponsorship and advocacy. Structural barriers. Women’s tendency to underestimate their own readiness for leadership roles. Importantly, she calls for intentional efforts to identify, support and develop future women leaders, emphasising that talent alone is not enough without opportunity and encouragement. Defining Success on Your Own Terms When asked about the keys to her success, Prof. Setshedi offers a powerful perspective: success must be personally defined. Rather than measuring achievement through external markers, she encourages individuals to ask: “Am I a better person today than I was yesterday?” For her, true success lies in continuous growth, meaningful contribution and service to others. She cautions against comparing oneself to others and instead advocates “running your own race” while remaining true to your values and purpose. A Message to Young Women Across Africa Closing the conversation, Prof. Setshedi delivers an uplifting message to girls and young women: Believe in your abilities. Do not allow self-doubt to define your future. Learn from the experiences of others. Embrace your individuality. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Seek support when needed and remain open to growth. Every woman possesses unique gifts and perspectives that the world needs. Success begins when we stop comparing ourselves to others and start believing in our own potential. Tune in for more…
Transcribe →Prof Stephanie Cawood – former Director of the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State – Mandelaism
May 2800:40:00Tap to summarizeThis week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Stephanie Cawood, an interdisciplinary scholar and former Director of the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State. This conversation journeys into the intersections of African identity, feminism, education, leadership, memory, and social transformation Drawing from her experiences as a founding member and former director of the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State, Professor Cawood shares the personal and academic experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to Africa-centred scholarship and gender justice. Originally founded in 2007 as the Centre for Africa Studies, the institution focused on postgraduate research and social justice scholarship relating to Africa’s politics, cultures, histories, and global relationships. Over time, gender studies became increasingly integrated into its work, leading to a formal repositioning of the centre to foreground both African and gender scholarship. A Childhood Spark that Grew into a Scholarly Mission Professor Cawood reflects on how her awareness of gender inequality began in childhood, long before she had the language to explain it. Growing up with a strong pride in being African, she recalls feeling uncomfortable when witnessing women being treated differently and recognising early on that inequality was deeply embedded in society. These formative experiences later evolved into a scholarly journey focused on both Africa Studies and Gender Studies. Two fields she describes as “cognate allies” because both challenge historical prejudices, inequalities, and inherited systems of exclusion. Breaking Academic Silos Through Interdisciplinary Thinking Professor Cawood describes herself as an “interdisciplinarian” and “epistemic traveller”; someone who crosses disciplines, methodologies, and intellectual boundaries in pursuit of deeper understanding. She shares how innovation often emerges when scholars move beyond traditional silos and embrace cross-disciplinary thinking. Professor Cawood explains that understanding how people create meaning in their lives requires insights from multiple fields including culture, memory, heritage, gender, geography, ecology, and politics. This openness to intellectual exploration has shaped her work on sacred sites, ecological memory, and spatial identity, all connected through what she describes as “pragmatic constructivism”, the idea of placing the body back into the environment and understanding human experiences within specific spatial and social contexts Leadership Rooted in Consensus and Humanity Reflecting on her years as director, Professor Cawood discusses her philosophy of leadership, inspired in part by her doctoral research on Nelson Mandela. She speaks about Mandela’s concept of leadership as “a shepherd leading from behind”; a style grounded in consensus-building, collaboration, and bringing people along rather than dominating them. The discussion explores the challenges of leading within academic environments that often remain highly masculine in structure and culture. Rather than adopting authoritarian approaches, Professor Cawood explains how she learned to strategically position ideas, build academic and business cases, and cultivate support for transformative institutional change. Under this leadership approach, the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies became one of the university’s most successful and productive research centres. Reframing Feminism in African Contexts In this conversation, we discuss African feminism and the complexities surrounding the term “feminist.” Defining feminism fundamentally as a belief in equality. However, Professor Cawood also explains why many younger African women remain hesitant to identify as feminists due to perceptions that feminism is Western, anti-men, or disconnected from African traditions and family structures. African feminist thought is diverse. It includes concepts such as womanism, motherism, and stiwanism; African-centred frameworks that emphasise complementarity, social transformation, culture, motherhood, and communal wellbeing. Rather than presenting feminism as a singular ideology, we highlight the richness and plurality of African feminisms, each shaped by different cultural and social realities across the continent. Importantly, Professor Cawood notes that many women already live deeply feminist lives through their actions, resilience, leadership, and agency, even if they do not use the term itself. Education as the Key to Gender Equality Turning toward global gender equality, the discussion references findings from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, which estimates that economic and political gender parity remain generations away. Professor Cawood identifies education as the single most important intervention for accelerating gender equality, particularly ensuring equal educational access for girls across Africa. At the same time, she acknowledges the immense structural challenges facing the continent, including instability, insecurity, poverty, food insecurity, and conflict in regions such as the Sahel and the DRC. While education has transformative potential, sustainable change requires peace, stability, dignity, and coordinated continental responses. A Message of Integrity, Kindness and Hope Closing the conversation, Professor Cawood offers an inspiring message to girls and women across Africa. In a world often marked by division and uncertainty, she encourages listeners to remain grounded in integrity, kindness, tolerance, and respect; even when confronted by disagreement or adversity. Meaningful change begins when ordinary individuals consistently choose to do the right thing. Tune in for more…
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