Womanity - Women in Unity

Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka Producer
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“Womanity – Women in Unity” is a weekly gender based programme produced by Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka

  1. 4d ago

    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 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…

  2. Sep 25

    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 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…

  3. Sep 17

    Dr. Bello Madinatu, Department of Theatre and Film – University of Cape Coast, Ghana – Resilience

    This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr Madinatu Bello, a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Her work explores indigenous cultural traditions, gender dynamics, theatre, performance, heritage, peacebuilding and sustainability, revealing how the arts can preserve memory, challenge exclusion and help communities imagine more equitable futures. Where Art Becomes Memory Dr Bello traces her artistic journey back to a childhood shaped by communal rituals, performance and cultural festivals. For her, drumming, dance and theatre were never simply entertainment; they were the ways communities remembered their histories, negotiated power and transmitted identity across generations. This early immersion in living culture shaped her path through the humanities, theatre arts and music education. Culture, Gender and the Politics of Exclusion A central theme in the conversation is how culture can both sustain communities and reproduce gendered barriers. Dr Bello explains how indigenous drumming traditions have often excluded women through spiritual and ritual explanations, positioning men as custodians of authority while women are expected to sing, clap or dance in support. Her research asks what happens when women refuse the margins and claim the master drum as a space of leadership. The Resilience of Female Master Drummers Rather than confront tradition only through open resistance, the female master drummers Dr Bello studies use discipline, excellence and presence as strategy. They practise extensively, outplay expectations, draw on family and community networks, and enter spaces where their skill can no longer be denied. One insight from the interview is that cultural expectations shift not only when someone shouts the loudest, but when someone refuses to disappear. Arts as Social Change, Healing and Peacebuilding Dr Bello argues that the arts become transformative when they function as mirrors, memories, mediators and foundations for development. She reflects on decolonial practice as the reclamation of indigenous forms, on performance as a peacebuilding space where rival groups can share rhythm before agreement, and on culture as a basis for sustainability. In her view, when culture dies, something vital in the community dies with it. Navigating Academia as a Woman The conversation also turns to Dr Bello’s own experiences in academia, where she worked for many years as the only woman in her department. She speaks candidly about the quieter forms of bias women can face: having to prove they were not favoured, encountering sarcasm about their achievements, and navigating delays or resistance in professional progression. Her response has been to let the quality of her work speak, to outperform her own previous standards, and to draw strength from supportive male colleagues who understand her vision. Education, Opportunity and Confidence Education has been a defining force in Dr Bello’s life. Coming from a family where her father ensured that his six daughters had educational opportunities, she used schooling as a foundation for intellectual confidence and professional growth. Fellowships such as the ACLS African Humanities Program and the SSRC Africa Peacebuilding Network expanded her research, helping her move from viewing culture as a subject of study to understanding it as an instrument for policy, conflict transformation and social imagination. Girls’ Education and Breaking Cycles of Poverty Reflecting on Ghana, Dr Bello notes that access to schooling has improved, but completion remains a crucial challenge for girls, especially in rural and poorer communities. Financial pressure, pregnancy and early marriage can interrupt education, yet she also sees signs of transformation as women and families increasingly understand education as a deliberate mechanism for breaking cycles of poverty. Educated girls and women create ripple effects that strengthen families, communities and future generations. Women Who Opened the Way Dr Bello honours the women who shaped her path, beginning with her mother, whose academic excellence inspired her own ambition. She also credits influential teachers who nurtured her love of English, literature and the arts, as well as the late Antoinette, the female master drummer whose presence at university helped open an entirely new research direction. Their example has inspired Dr Bello to become a support system for younger women building their own creative and academic journeys. A Message to Girls and Women The interview closes with a strong reminder that every girl and woman has the right to be the main star of her own story. Dr Bello encourages young women to trust their instincts, be disciplined, build meaningful networks and refuse to let others define the limits of their lives. Through learning, creating and questioning, women generate impact that extends beyond themselves into their families, communities and the continent. Tune in for more…

  4. Sep 10

    Emeritus Professor Jill Adler, Mathematics Education – University of the Witwatersrand

    This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Emeritus Professor Jill Adler from Wits University, an internationally acclaimed mathematics education scholar whose career has been shaped by teaching, research, activism and a deep commitment to social justice. From studying mathematics and psychology at Wits and seeing herself first as a teacher, to becoming an A-rated researcher, academic leader and international voice in mathematics education, Prof Adler’s journey shows how education can become a powerful instrument for transformation. From Classroom Teacher to Social Activist Prof Adler reflects on the formative experiences that shaped her early commitment to education and social good. A year in the United States during the Vietnam War and student protest movements changed how she understood politics, race and justice. Returning to South Africa, during her university vacations, she became involved in voluntary service work in rural communities, building schools and clinics and beginning what she describes as a life of social activism. Breaking Barriers in Mathematics Education Her career unfolded in a landscape marked by apartheid, gender inequality and entrenched assumptions about what counted as serious academic work. As a woman mathematics educator working in a science faculty, she had to challenge scepticism about education as a research field. One defining moment came when she applied for a professorship to develop mathematics education at Wits, deciding that she was “as good as these guys” and stepping into a role that would help build the field. Creating Pathways for the Teachers We Have A prominent theme in the conversation is Prof Adler’s insistence that systems must respond to real people and real conditions. She describes establishing a new honours programme for mathematics teachers who had come through colleges of education and needed a different route into postgraduate study. Her goal was not to design for an idealised system, but to develop leadership among the teachers already working in South African schools. Maths Is for Everyone Speaking to stereotypes that discourage girls from seeing themselves as mathematicians, scientists or engineers, Prof Adler argues that the problem begins with wider perceptions of mathematics itself. Mathematics is abstract, but it is not a closed world reserved for a few. It can and should be made meaningful for all learners through better teaching, richer classroom activity and a shift away from memorising rules towards understanding mathematics as a way of thinking, proving and acting. Opening Doors for Girls in STEM Prof Adler acknowledges that gendered barriers remain, where women still encounter invisible ceilings. Yet she also offers an encouraging message: mathematics opens doors. For girls who enjoy mathematics, she urges them to push further, ignore limiting noise and recognise that strong mathematical capability can create opportunities not only for themselves, but for others who follow. Language as a Resource, Not a Problem One of the most compelling sections explores Prof Adler’s influential work on teaching mathematics in multilingual classrooms. Her research challenged deficit views of bilingual learners and showed that the languages learners bring are resources for learning. Teachers constantly manage tensions between English, home languages, everyday experience and the specialised language of mathematics. The challenge is not multilingualism itself, but how language is harnessed to make mathematical meaning accessible. Building Bridges Between South Africa and the World Prof Adler’s career also demonstrates the importance of intellectual exchange between the Global South and Global North. Through her joint appointment with King’s College London and her leadership in international mathematics education, she worked to ensure that South African research entered global conversations on its own terms. She argues for bidirectionality: knowledge should not simply flow from North to South, but should move both ways, shaped by the realities and insights of different contexts. Recognition That Changed a Field Her A-rating from the National Research Foundation was personally meaningful, but Prof Adler frames it as something larger than individual recognition. Becoming the first A-rated researcher in education in South Africa helped affirm that educational research could meet international standards and make a global contribution. For her, the achievement broke a barrier for the field itself. Legacy, Mentorship and the Work That Follows Looking back over 45 years of teaching, research, leadership and mentoring, Prof Adler hopes her legacy is twofold: knowledge and people. She points to the postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and colleagues who continue the work, as well as the impact of research on language, resources and teacher professional development. Her story suggests that lasting influence is created not only through ideas, but through the people equipped to carry them forward. Doing It All, But Not All at Once The interview also turns to ambition, family and the choices women are often required to make. Prof Adler’s advice is clear and generous: you can do it all, but not all at the same time. She reflects on working part-time while her children were young, sharing priorities with her husband, relying on support networks and making deliberate career choices. Her perspective reframes balance as pacing, selection and recognising that every path has trade-offs. A Message to Girls and Young Women The conversation closes with a message of possibility and perseverance: dream big, believe in yourself and act on your ambitions. Prof Adler encourages girls and young women to find mentors, build communities, nurture their networks and do the work. Meaningful careers are not built alone, but through courage, discipline, support and the willingness to keep going. Tune in for more…

  5. Sep 4

    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 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…

  6. Aug 27

    Judge Khosi Hadebe – High Court KwaZulu-Natal Division – Courage

    This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Judge Khosi Hadebe from the KwaZulu-Natal High Court.  Judge Hadebe’s legal career spans decades, tracing a path of perseverance and public service that began in 1979 as a court clerk and interpreter before progressing to prosecutor, legal planner, magistrate, and ultimately High Court judge. The Spark That Lit the Journey Her passion for the law was ignited in her youth while listening to radio court scene dramas on radio like Springbok Radio’s Consider Your Verdict. Despite financial constraints that delayed her initial studies, these broadcasts cemented her determination to pursue no other path than law. Defying Hostility with Student Militancy Entering the University of Zululand during apartheid, Judge Hadebe faced outright hostility from lecturers who questioned why women were studying law instead of nursing or social work. Driven by a militant youth spirit and a shared commitment with peers, including activists connected to Robben Island political prisoners, she refused to back down, viewing her degree as a vital weapon to fight systemic social injustices. Protective Legislation and the Limits of Implementation Reflecting on South Africa’s legislative framework, Judge Hadebe highlights that while strong laws exist to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and protect vulnerable individuals, true progress relies on the people executing them. She emphasises that while police awareness and specialised units have improved, law enforcement must act as a true extension of justice rather than allowing poor attitudes to hinder survivors. The Lived Realities of GBV Victims In discussing matters like the S v Ndlovo gang rape case, Judge Hadebe points out the severe socio-economic vulnerabilities of women and child-headed households living in informal settlements without security resources. She addresses the painful reality that post-judgment, victims are largely left to figure out trauma recovery on their own due to a lack of accessible counselling and support services in underserved communities. Social Context and Integrity on the Bench Having served as a regional court magistrate and worked with the Law, Race, and Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town, Judge Hadebe brings a vital social context to her rulings. She stresses that judges must maintain impeccable personal standards of uprightness and fairness to ensure the public can trust the judicial system implicitly. Overcoming Bias and Proving Competence Addressing the unique struggles faced by African women entering the High Court bench, Judge Hadebe reflects on overcoming deep-seated institutional skepticism. She notes that women must constantly prove their qualifications at higher thresholds, asserting that female judges must stand their ground firmly and demand to be judged solely on their competence. Faith, Family, and Community Support Attributing her resilience to the “school of poverty,” Judge Hadebe shares how her background fostered empathy rather than bitterness. Her strength and grounding stem from strong family support, inspired by a courageous late aunt, as well as her active involvement in her church community, where she directly assists impoverished families. A Message to the Next Generation In celebration of Women’s Month, Judge Hadebe encourages young women to step into male-dominated fields with unwavering confidence and challenge authority whenever necessary. She calls on senior women leaders to actively hold the hands of the younger generation, demonstrating that adversity should never stop them from achieving their potential. Special thanks to Lusanda Ntuli the Deputy Director: Communications at the Office of the Chief Justice who makes our annual series showcasing female judges possible. Happy Women’s Month.

  7. Aug 21

    Judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane – Supreme Court Of Appeal – Confidence

    This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane from the Supreme Court of Appeal. Judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane’s career mirrors South Africa’s own journey of transformation. From growing up under apartheid and becoming involved in student and workers’ rights activism, to studying human rights law as a Fulbright Scholar in the United States, her path into law was driven by a deep commitment to public interest and social justice. Breaking Through a Male-Dominated Profession Returning to South Africa in 1994, Judge Kathree-Setiloane entered a legal profession where women faced significant barriers. At the Johannesburg Bar, she encountered gender discrimination, limited access to briefs and expectations that women lawyers would gravitate towards particular areas of law. Rather than being defined by those expectations, she deliberately pursued constitutional, administrative, competition and telecommunications law, while also becoming involved in transforming the Bar itself. The Power of Confidence – and Saying Yes One of the most compelling themes in her story is confidence. Judge Kathree-Setiloane reflects on learning to take risks, overcome perfectionism and accept opportunities even when she did not feel completely prepared. Her experience offers an insightful lesson for women: sometimes you have to say yes first, then trust yourself to learn, grow and deliver. Law as an Instrument for Social Change Her career has placed her at the centre of cases with profound implications for human rights, dignity and equality, including challenges concerning reproductive rights and the constitutional recognition of same-sex relationships. These experiences demonstrate how legal practice can become part of the broader project of transforming society. From Advocate to the Bench Judge Kathree-Setiloane describes deliberately broadening her experience before moving into the judiciary, including gaining commercial exposure outside the traditional advocate pathway. Today, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, she brings that breadth of experience to an appellate court that deals with matters ranging from criminal and commercial law to administrative and constitutional matters. How Far Have Women Really Come? Looking beyond legislation and formal equality, the conversation explores the gap between women’s constitutional rights and their lived realities. Judge Kathree-Setiloane highlights the continuing influence of power, patriarchy, cultural and religious norms, particularly within homes and communities, and the need for deeper structural change if women are to experience genuine equality and safety. Women, Agency and the Future of Leadership There is also an encouraging story of progress. Judge Kathree-Setiloane points to the growing representation of women in leadership across the judiciary and the emergence of a new generation of confident women lawyers. But representation alone is not enough: she argues that women must bring intellectual leadership to the institutions they lead. The Meaning of Empowerment For Judge Kathree-Setiloane, empowerment goes well beyond a title, position or professional success. It requires ethical, courageous and intellectually grounded leadership. A judge must be fearless, independent, fair and willing to express a dissenting view when necessary, while also remaining open to being persuaded by others. A Message to the Next Generation The conversation closes with an inspiring message to girls and young women: every woman has the potential to become a leader and to contribute to transforming society. Success does not mean sacrificing personal wellbeing or financial achievement; rather, women can build full, successful lives and use their position and resources to give back to society. Special thanks to Lusanda Ntuli the Deputy Director: Communications at the Office of the Chief Justice who makes our annual series showcasing female judges possible. Happy Women’s Month.

  8. Aug 14

    Judge Sandiswa Mfenyana – North West Division of the High Court – In Service

    This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Judge Sandiswa (Mickey) Mfenyana from the North West Division of the High Court.  For Judge Sandiswa Mfenyana, the journey into law began unexpectedly at just 12 years old, when her father, an English teacher, took her to watch The Merchant of Venice. Fascinated by Portia’s ability to use the law to resolve a seemingly impossible situation, young Sandiswa concluded that lawyers must be “such smart people”. What began as childhood fascination became a lifelong calling. A Career Defined by Service Judge Mfenyana’s legal career has crossed remarkably diverse terrain, from Legal Aid South Africa and the South African Human Rights Commission, through the intelligence environment and private practice, to the High Court bench. Yet she describes her career not as a carefully mapped trajectory, but as a series of doors that opened; and opportunities for which she was prepared. The common thread has been service, particularly to vulnerable people. Her early experience at Legal Aid taught her a fundamental lesson that continues to shape her: law is not about the lawyer; it is about the people being served, and lawyers are people’s channels to access the law. The greatest reward was seeing a client leave happy, knowing that she had helped someone navigate a system they could not navigate alone. Building a Law Firm from the Ground Up In 2009, Judge Mfenyana took a leap of faith and established her own practice with commercial, administrative, aviation and energy law expertise. Entrepreneurship brought a different set of challenges. As a Black woman building a business in a traditionally male- and white-male-dominated profession, she knew she had to demonstrate not only that she was qualified, but that she could perform at the same level as, or better than, her male counterparts. She built her practice organically, starting small, relying on faith, discipline and a clear definition of success. For her, success was never about building the biggest firm. It was about making an impact on the lives of her clients, and earning their trust and loyalty. Her emphasis on personal service and quality meant that she retained the clients she acquired. Being a Black Woman in a Traditionally Male-Dominated Profession We explore the gender and racial assumptions Judge Mfenyana encountered throughout her career. She recalls moments when colleagues questioned her capabilities or made assumptions about her education and background based simply on her being a Black woman. Her response was not to shrink herself. Instead, she developed the confidence and assertiveness necessary to operate in a demanding profession. She reflects on the additional expectations placed on Black women lawyers and challenges the historically entrenched idea that weakness or imperfection should be associated with women. Rejection Is Not the Same as Failure Perhaps one of the most important lessons from the conversation is Judge Mfenyana’s story of reaching the judiciary. Her path to the bench included two unsuccessful Judicial Service Commission interviews before her eventual appointment in 2023. Rather than seeing those experiences as rejection, she viewed them as opportunities to learn and grow. She describes her first interview as an excellent experience and believes the lessons from both interviews contributed to her eventual success. For her, the issue was not failure but timing: sometimes, “it was not my time.” “Empowered Women Empower Other Women” For Judge Mfenyana, empowerment is not simply about personal achievement. An empowered woman is one who “pours onto others without fearing that they’re going to run empty.” She speaks passionately about mentorship, knowledge-sharing and giving time to the next generation. She challenges successful women to move beyond being busy and make space to support others, even if it is only five minutes with a young woman seeking guidance about her career. Her message is clear: empowerment becomes meaningful when it is multiplied. The Village That Taught Her to Serve Some of Judge Mfenyana’s most formative lessons were learned long before she entered the legal profession. Growing up in a village with parents who valued education and service, she witnessed her father helping children from disadvantaged families pursue their education and her family assisting people in the community. These experiences shaped her belief that education should never separate you from others. Instead, education creates a responsibility to serve. That principle of service has remained embedded in her professional life. A Message to Women and Girls: Find Someone Who Believes in You Judge Mfenyana’s closing message for women and girls: look beyond your circumstances and find people who believe in you. She rejects the idea of the “self-made” person, emphasising that every individual is shaped by people who have invested in them. Her advice is to look beyond the boundaries of your immediate surroundings, seek out mentors and actively find people who can help you see possibilities beyond what you currently know. Sometimes, she says, if the people around you do not believe in you, go and find them. Special thanks to Lusanda Ntuli the Deputy Director: Communications at the Office of the Chief Justice who makes our annual series showcasing female judges possible. Happy Women’s Month.

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“Womanity – Women in Unity” is a weekly gender based programme produced by Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka

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