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. 6d ago

    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…

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Aug 6

    Professor Linda Du Plessis – Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at North-West University – Shaping the Future

    This week on Womanity, Dr Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Linda du Plessis, Vice Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at North-West University. She reflects on the enormous responsibility of preparing students not simply to earn degrees, but to become the people who will shape society. Her portfolio spans academic and curriculum development, student support, learning technologies, quality assurance and ensuring that university programmes remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. At the heart of her work is a deceptively simple question: How do we give every student the best possible chance of success? From Systems Analyst to University Leader Her own career journey is an intriguing example of how seemingly different disciplines can ultimately connect. Professor du Plessis began in information systems, working as a computer programmer and systems analyst, before moving into academia and eventually university leadership. Rather than leaving her systems-thinking background behind, she brought it with her. The focus simply shifted from technical systems to human systems encompassing students, academics, institutions and communities. Her journey also demonstrates that careers do not necessarily follow a predetermined plan. Curiosity, learning and a willingness to embrace new challenges can create unexpected pathways. Education as a Force for Personal Transformation With multiple degrees and two doctorates spanning different disciplines, Professor du Plessis speaks powerfully about education as much more than the acquisition of qualifications. For her, education provided opportunity, confidence, resilience and the ability to think critically. It gave her the confidence to enter spaces where she might once have questioned whether she belonged and enabled her to move across disciplines and into leadership. Her message to girls and women is particularly powerful: education gives you a voice, a voice to say, “I belong here, I have something to offer, and I can keep growing and learning.” Rebuilding Education for South Africa’s Future The conversation takes a broader look at the state and future of education in South Africa. If Professor du Plessis had five minutes with the President, she identifies three priorities: rebuilding the foundations of basic education, creating a sustainable and accountable funding model for higher education, and preparing young people for a digital future. Literacy, numeracy, mathematics and science are fundamental building blocks. At the same time, education needs to develop digital capability, critical thinking, ethical judgement, employability and innovation. Her central argument is that education is a pipeline, and that pipeline must ultimately lead somewhere. Education needs to connect learners with opportunities, skills and the world of work rather than simply moving people through institutions. What Happens When the World Changes Faster Than Education? Professor du Plessis challenges us to rethink what education should look like in a world of information overload, digital learning and artificial intelligence. The emphasis, she suggests, can no longer simply be on delivering content. Students need the disciplinary foundations and critical-thinking capabilities to evaluate information, make sense of it and integrate it meaningfully. With the world of work changing rapidly, young people also need agility, adaptability, lifelong learning and the ability to continually upskill. The university of the future therefore needs to focus not only on what students know, but what they are capable of doing with what they know. Being the First — and Making Sure You Are Not the Last Part of the interview explores Professor du Plessis’s experience as the first female Vice-Rector of North-West University’s Vanderbijlpark Campus. Being the first, she explains, is not simply a personal achievement. It carries a responsibility to make the pathway wider for those who follow. Some of the less visible barriers women encounter include family-care expectations, assumptions about how women should behave, unequal access to networks and the pressure to continually prove competence. One practical example came early in her leadership career, when meetings routinely ran into the late afternoon while she had a young child waiting to be collected from school. Rather than accepting the arrangement as inevitable, she eventually questioned why meetings could not start earlier. The result was a simple but significant institutional change: university meetings were moved to a more practical time. It’s an important reminder about challenging the logic behind existing norms and changing the status quo. Sometimes breaking barriers begins by having the courage to question practices that everyone has simply accepted. Leadership Is About Opening the Door Wider For Professor du Plessis, leadership is not about occupying a position or accumulating personal achievements. It is about stewardship, ethical judgement and humility, and creating the conditions for others to succeed. She believes that when you are the first, you must not be the last. Her leadership philosophy was also forged during periods of intense institutional disruption, including the Fees Must Fall movement, COVID-19 and the rapid emergence of generative AI. These experiences taught her that leadership requires both compassion and realism; caring deeply about people while still making difficult and responsible decisions. Her approach is refreshingly human: a leader does not need to have every answer. Instead, effective leadership involves bringing the right people together, asking difficult questions, listening to criticism and making decisions based on ethics, impact, trust and the long-term future. A Message to Women Who Are Waiting to Feel Ready Professor du Plessis has an especially strong message for young women aspiring to leadership: do not wait until you feel completely ready. She argues that too many capable women hold themselves back because they believe they need to be perfect or acquire one more qualification before stepping forward. Confidence, she says, is built through action; taking responsibility, preparing properly, asking questions, learning continuously and being willing to make mistakes. And perhaps most importantly, she challenges women not to confuse humility with silence. A woman can be humble and still speak with authority; she can be kind and still be firm; she can be collaborative and still be decisive. The People Who Help Us Become Who We Are Mentorship has played an important role throughout Professor du Plessis’s journey. Teachers, colleagues, leaders and students have each contributed to her development, sometimes by offering encouragement and sometimes by asking difficult questions that exposed her blind spots. She reminds us that the people who shape us are not necessarily those who always praise us. Sometimes it is those who challenge us, expect more from us and push us beyond what we thought we could achieve. Building a Life, Not Just a Career Life moves through different seasons, and the balance between career, family and personal needs has to be continually renegotiated. Professor du Plessis’s “secret sauce” is purpose, discipline, support and perspective. And her final message to women is one that encapsulates the spirit of the entire interview: build a life, not only a career. Ambition matters, but it needs to be connected to meaning. Success should not come at the expense of health or relationships. Sometimes we need the courage to say yes and the wisdom to say no. Tune in for more…

  6. Jul 31

    Dr Olivia Matshabane: Neuroethicist – Department of Psychiatry at Stellenbosch University – Pioneer

    This 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…

  7. Jul 24

    Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola: African Feminist Imaginations – Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University – Feminism and Community Power

    This 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…

  8. Jul 17

    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

    This 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…

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

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