Womanity - Women in Unity

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in medicine, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Ledile Mokoka who specialises in nephrology at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. Kidney disease is often a secondary effect of other conditions like hypertension and diabetes, according to diabetesatlas.org,  24 million people in Africa (1 in 22) have diabetes.  These are non-communicable diseases that could be prevented if adequate awareness and education were offered to communities.  We discuss some of the kidney disorders that Dr. Mokoka treats and highlight conditions that women are more predisposed too. Dr. Mokoka shares signs for women to be on the lookout for (like fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea) and to address these potential symptoms with health care practitioners. We note the healthcare challenges that women living in rural areas are exposed to, which include lack of access to facilities and presenting late stage diagnoses. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Jo-Anne Madurai, who is an anaesthetist in private practice, at Jones, Bhagwan and Partners. For anaesthetists no two days are the same, they work with a variety of surgeons and procedures - from orthopaedic to neonatal to cardiac to neurological cases and more. Dr. Madurai recalls some memorable learning experiences from theatre. She reflects on key milestones in her career and notes that some patients have prevailing gender stereotypes where they expect their anaesthetist to be male. Women bring a different dynamic to patients, particularly empathy; and medicine needs women. As a working mother she emphasises the importance of a support structure and fluid sharing of household responsibilities between partners. She also shares a couple of tips that have helped her achieve balance in life, such as taking up a hobby or hobbies that are not work related, additionally, in the words of Asterix, “mens sana in corpore sano” – a healthy mind in a healthy body, she advocates for exercise. We discuss the impact that women in power have on enabling and uplifting girls and women around them. Girls and women need to equip themselves through education and take every opportunity available to them to grow. When your preparation meets your opportunity that's where you will have your success. In acknowledgement of the period of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Dr. Madurai encourages women who experience GBV to start speaking up, it's a step forward to freedom. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Shahpar Motakef, who is the Clinical Head of the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) unit at Charlotte Maxete Academic Hospital. She lectures at the University of the Witwatersrand in the Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) department and is an ENT specialist at Fourways Life hospital and is a member of the Rhinoplasty Society. We note that there is still an underrepresentation of female doctors to male doctors, but gender transformation is taking place. For Example Dr Motekef was the first woman to study ENT at Wits and during the early part of her career there were only four female ENTs in South Africa. However, today in her hospital the majority of registrars are women. To get more women into medicine starts early, in high school, encouraging girls to shine, to be ambitious and not supress their passions. Medicine is a hard field and sometimes women are put off from pursuing it because of the misconception that it is impossible to feel they are not able to pursue a challenging career and also have a family. Dr Motekef believes that with planning and discipline both are possible but should be approached through staging and patience. Women can have everything, just not necessarily at the same time. Tune in for more

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Delmaine Christians who represents the Democratic Alliance party in parliament and is a member of the select committee on education and technology, sports, arts and culture (NCOP Committee) and the select committee on Health Social and Services (NCOP Committee) We discuss her journey into politics from the education sector, which laid a strong foundation for her role in parliament. Playing an oversight role in local, provincial and national processes to identify faults in the current system and finding solutions to resolve challenges. For instance, the knock-on effect electricity cuts (loadshedding) have on water access for the Dikgatlong community in the Northern Cape province. We discuss the economic cost of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa as well as the social and psychological damage it causes to victims. Although government has allocated funding to address GBV not enough is being done to curb it, including resources in the police, health and social services. Unfortunately, many women get lost in the system and do not receive appropriate care which impacts their recovery. Ms Christians considers education, grit, perseverance and developing a thick skin as some of the factors that contributed to her success. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Yumna Minty, who is a specialist psychiatrist and also lectures in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand. Some of her areas of interest include women's mental health, mental health in adolescents and young adults, depression and anxiety disorders, and older age mental disorders. She reflects that mental health is not just the absence of illness but should refer to a state of mind and being where people function optimally. She notes that in general women are two to three times more likely to develop a psychiatric disorder when compared to men. Common disorders affecting women include anxiety, stress, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are both inherent and environmental factors the contribute to psychological difficulties and stresses. Environmental variables can be changed and thereby reduce negative impacts on women. For instance women are more prone to physical abuse, emotional neglect and less emphasis may be placed on a girl's education than a boy's development. In modern society women bear dual responsibilities of maintaining their homes and pursuing careers, which increases the potential risk for burnout. Her top three tips for women to help manage their mental health are aiming to lead a healthy lifestyle for body and mind, have healthy relationships and ask for help when needed. Education is an important enabler for women, it gives them the possibility to attain economic freedom and independence to take control over their destiny. In a world that is always changing, our situations change, and new developments arise in our respective fields of interest; if we do not keep up with lifelong learning we are doing an injustice to ourselves and those we serve through our vocation. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Ms Judy Hermans, who is a member of parliament representing the African National Congress (ANC) and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition. We discuss a few focal points of the committee, emanating from events like Covid-19, civil unrest and natural disasters, such as the need to be more responsive, more agile, establishing more resilient supply chains and building an inclusive economy that creates job opportunities for youth and women. Parliament has recently approved a policy that 40% of public procurement should go to women owned businesses. Two development funding institutions; the National Empowerment Fund and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have specific funds that focus on growing the gender dividend. The IDC for instance provides female entrepreneurs with funding up to R30million per transaction. Ms Hermans shares some of her guiding dictums for becoming a successful #leader be brave, take risks, don't forget your roots, be honest with yourself and others. Tune in for more….

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Clicks Group Bertina Engelbrecht. Clicks is a leading health and beauty retailer listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with over 800 stores and more than 600 in-store pharmacies and a loyalty programme exceeding 9.7 million active members. Ms Engelbrecht shares some of her career milestones with local and multinational corporates and her three core building blocks of fairness, equity and justice. We remark on common challenges that women experience in the boardroom and solutions; from showing up as an effective contributor to making your voice heard through quality preparation. She sees the role of leaders as removing obstacles that stand in the way of people's performance, providing the resources for people to do their jobs well and motivating them to derive solutions for themselves. There is an underrepresentation of female CEOs on listed companies, but the women who hold these posts have a great sense of purpose to show that women CEOs are tremendous assets to any organisation and realise that through mentorship more women will rise to the top of corporate hierarchies. On the topic of education Ms Englebrecht notes that education empowers people and is a way of reaffirming and building confidence; furthermore, when a girl child is educated her life and her family's changes for the better. #Womeninleadership Tune in for more….

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Miss SA 2022, Ndavi Nokeri. We discuss the deliberate steps she took towards her Miss SA 2022 journey by becoming a woman she considers worthy of the title; someone who is educated, is able to lead, stand up for her convictions and give back to her community. Her Gabaza village roots frame her perspective of contrasts and social inequity in South Africa. Poverty affects us all. However, education has the power to disrupt poverty within a generation and change the course of a person's life, that of their family and society. Ndavi advocates for education equity and recently launched her Ed-Unite campaign, which plans to raise R6million by January 2023 to finance a series of initiatives that extend from human development to upgrading infrastructure and providing financial aid. She shares some of the responsibilities associated with being Miss SA, such as serving as a role model, contributing to changing society and proudly representing South Africa. She reminds us not to see things in our path as obstacles but as opportunities to grow, and to hold ourselves accountable to achieve our respective goals. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Lizanne Langenhoven who is a clinical and radiation oncologist with the Panorama Mediclinic in Cape Town. October is breast cancer awareness month, which serves as an annual international campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer; and 13 October is International Metastatic Breast Cancer Day. In today's conversation we continue to raise awareness of this important issue that effects many women and their families across the continent. From a breast cancer awareness perspective Dr. Langenhoven encourages women to take responsibility for themselves and loved ones, being our sisters' keepers and ensuring we have regular screenings. Early detection of cancer is half the battle. Dr. Langenhoven shares her team's multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, where experts from their respective disciplines work collaboratively - seeing the same case through different eyes to derive the most suitable treatment for the patient. Cancer research is ongoing and newer treatments have become highly targeted honing into specific cancer cells to deliver therapy at a cellular level. Medicine is still a male dominated field and this sometimes impacts on the way that female doctors are perceived by patients, the way they put in double the effort required to perform their work, and causes them to mimic male voices rather than embracing their female emotive voices of empathy, care and love. Dr. Langenhoven is actively shifting the narrative to combine male and female voices to deliver the best of both to treat patients and personnel more holistically and humanly. We note that working women, whether professionals or shift workers, experience universal challenges of fulfilling their work commitments at the expense of their home lives, and consider there is room to change the current status quo to one that allows women to achieve greater balance in their lives, without compromising their responsibilities. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Dineo Tshabalala, who is a medical oncologist at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital (CMJAH) and senior lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand. October is breast cancer awareness month, which serves as an annual international campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer; and 13 October is International Metastatic Breast Cancer Day. In today's conversation we unpack some of the stats, early warning signs, risk factors, preventative measures and treatments. According to the 2019 National Cancer Registry (NCR), apart from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 27 in South Africa. Dr. Tshabalala highlights some of the modifiable risk factors that may cause cancer like alcohol, smoking and unhealthy diets. She mentions that diseases like diabetes, obesity and HIV can make women more susceptible to developing breast cancer. She also discusses the role of genetics. Early detection of breast cancer increases survival outcomes and women play a critical role in checking themselves for abnormalities and seeking out further screenings with healthcare practitioners. Dr. Tshabalala also shares her journey to medicine and reasons for specialising in oncology. She reminds us of the importance of hard work, perseverance, persistency and constantly driving forward to materialise your dreams to live the life you deserve. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Mimmy Martha Gondwe, who is a member of parliament representing the Democratic Alliance and member of the Portfolio Committee of Public Service as well as Administration and the Joint Constitutional Review Committee. Dr. Gondwe refers to herself as a reluctant politician. She is driven to make a difference in people's lives and veered from law to politics as the vehicle that could deliver meaningful impact on people. We discuss the importance of women playing active roles in politics from voting to participating in political structures. Political decisions have economic consequences which affect the lives of women, and thus its vital that their voices are heard, especially since they represent more than fifty percent of the population. We acknowledge that gender inequalities still exist and mention patriarchy as an impediment to progress. However, we consider that through socialisation, shifting mindsets, gender sensitivity training, changing legislative frameworks and education as mechanisms to reduce inequality and enable women to play their full roles in society. Dr. Gondwe emphasises the power of education in the hands of women, reflecting that you don't have the choice of which family you are born into or the economic circumstances that you are brought up in, but education helps women make the right choices for themselves to become the person they want to be and build the lives they envisioned. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Ms Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, who is a member of parliament representing the African National Congress (ANC) and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. This committee conducts oversight and monitors the work that the executive is doing. We highlight some of the core focus areas of the Department of Basic Education in 2022/2023, notably the shift of early childhood development from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education, the Department's Programme 5 – to end school related gender based violence (GBV), and building strategic relationships in the international arena. We consider some of the factors that contribute to building female leadership capacity through economic and education mechanisms. The more educated women become the more the country benefits - socially, economically and otherwise. Ms Mbinqo-Gigaba reminds us that “It doesn't matter how you come, just make sure you arrive”. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Jyoti Bajpai, a Professor of Medical Oncology at the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai India and Dr Nermean Mostafa a lecturer of clinical oncology and early detection at the Ain Shams University in Cairo Egypt. They share some of their motivations for pursuing oncology as a specialisation and give an overview of the field in their countries. For example, Egypt has an intensive screening campaign for early detection of cancer and is improving palliative care. India has a population of more than 1.4 billion people and has wide variations in the type of care and infrastructure available to citizens, however there is a marked deficit of oncologists to cancer patients, currently the ratio stands at 1:2000, whereas in the USA it is 1:100. We note some of the challenges female oncologists experience, which often stem from social stereotypes and patriarchal cultures that limit people's perceptions of women reducing them to mothers and care givers, not seeing them as professionals who excel in their chosen fields. Our discussion centres on the recent Global Women for Oncology Summit (GLOWS) which received delegates from every continent. GLOWS addressed pressing issues faced by women in their careers, such as how to navigate politics in the workplace, how to break the glass ceiling, the importance of #networking and the value of #mentorship and #sponsorship. We discuss distance mentorship, as a concept implemented through digital platforms to provide mentorship between women in different regions. Some of the benefits of this mode of mentorship for women include saving on travel expenses like accommodation or visas, the ability to remain at home and maintain family responsibilities, and connecting to the right mentor irrespective of geographic location. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Renata Schoeman, who is in private practice as a general psychiatrist, heads up the healthcare leadership MBA specialisation stream at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, serves on advisory boards for several companies and has been appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Board for Mental Health. According to the WHO (2019), globally one in every eight people live with a mental disorder. We note that anxiety and mood disorders are commonly experienced by women presenting for psychiatric and psychological support, sometimes this stems from female biology and hormonal fluctuations. Prof. Schoeman remarks that ADHD is sometimes missed as a condition experienced by girls, and the negative consequence is that these individuals often never realise their full potential. Prof. Schoeman founded the Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation a non-profit organisation which offers free ADHD and mental health screening and early intervention services in underprivileged communities. In a world that never stops it is challenging to find balance. Prof. Schoeman explains that work-life balance is not necessarily a 50:50 scenario, but time must be carved into schedules for one to energise oneself. Some of the seeds of self-care include: sufficient sleep, exercise, good nutrition, spirituality, mental stimulation and socialising. Prof. Schoeman has a simple motto to help sort elements that drain and those that fuel you – “If something does not bring joy, beauty or usefulness – get rid of it!” We discuss some of the discriminatory issues women experience in the workplace and emphasise that women need to retain their authenticity and embrace their differences as points of strength. Women must not allow the “sticky floor of lingering beliefs that they have of themselves and society to hold them back. Prof. Schoeman reminds us to make the most of every moment in life, to do our best and never stop learning. Tune in for more...

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Nicola Smit, Dean of the Faculty of Law University of Stellenbosch. We discuss aspects of her vision for the faculty that include spearheading legal education, building capacity and having a deep social impact on communities. We acknowledge the fact that today's graduates will likely work in new careers that don't yet exist. Prof. Smit shares one of her approaches to leadership, which she describes as “leadership constellation”. This view posits that a leader can only be first among equals and provides opportunities for his or her people (stars) to develop themselves and lead in their own areas of expertise, ultimately stiving to develop an organisation that mirrors a constellation of stars (people) that shine brightly leading their respective disciplines and helping each other navigate calm as well as tricky waters. She also reflects on the importance of diverse inputs in teams to bring out the best of team members. We remark on the low representation of women in leadership, noting that the glass ceiling might have shifted but it hasn't disappeared. Efforts need to be undertaken to ensure that where decisions are made there is representation of women. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks should be in place to help share the burden of domestic work that often compromises a woman's ability to participate fully in the labour force. For example, increasing paternity leave is an intervention that would help distribute parental loads. Prof Smit, closes the conversation with a quote from Maya Angelou, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”  Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia - Mutale Nalumango, who is also Vice President of Zambia's ruling party the United Party for National Development (UPND). Vice President Nalumango shares how her life path has been navigated by the drive to fight all forms of injustice, like social inequity, poverty alleviation, access to justice and empowering women to occupy their rightful spaces. She shares some of her visions for Zambia where unity and peace serve as foundational elements to development and productivity. She also reaffirms that education is the greatest equalizer and reminds those that think education is too expensive to try the cost of ignorance. We discuss women in leadership and mechanisms to better capacitate women, such as mentorship, effective networking, higher education, encouraging women to rise and also aligning men to the gender agenda – to acknowledge that they are beneficiaries of women's economic participation. Although efforts are underway to progress the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality progress is slow in some areas of the continent. Some of the impediments to women's progress include inhibiting cultures, religious expectations, social stereotypes and bearing the burden of unpaid domestic work. In the words of Vice President Nalumango, “Women are born as volunteers.” Women need to unite and collectively fight against injustices that discriminate against them. Women cannot let their life choices depend on other people; they have the capability to achieve their ambitions. In closing, Vice President Nalumango says, “Girls, rise up wherever you are, the sky is the limit, you can make it anywhere, everything is open to us in Africa”. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity for our series on women in the judiciary Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Harshila Kooverjie – from the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria. Prior to her appointment to the bar Judge Kooverjie served on several public sector boards, like the Council for Medical Schemes, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Financial Services Board Tribunal as well as the Legal Practice Council – which regulates the legal profession. These positions provide checks and balances to ensure that government does its work properly and citizens don't abuse their powers. Judge Kooverjie reflects on some of the impactful cases that she has presided over. We discuss the need for victims of gender based violence to have better support structures and processes to help them systematically navigate these traumatic situations. We consider education as a tool to advance gender equality gains, it empowers people to be competitive and at the top of their game. Judge Kooverjie notes that people need to understand the real value of women to society. For too long women have been absorbing more and more responsibilities in order to participate in the workforce without reducing their commitments to the household. Work institutions could help alleviate the pressure by providing on-site childcare facilities. Real change will only come from walking the walk, not talking the talk. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, for our series on women in the judiciary, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Lindiwe Rusi from the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Mthatha. Judge Rusi's disciplined upbringing compelled her to strive for order and equity, which formed foundational values for a vocation in law. During the early part of her career she was involved with several outreach programmes delivering much needed legal knowledge to underserved communities, particularly in areas of customary and family law, domestic violence and access to justice. Reflecting on recent amendments to Acts affecting women, Judge Rusi mentions changes to The Criminal Law Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act Amendment Bill. For example, amendments to the main statutes governing court processes in superior and lower courts makes provision for additional procedures in respect of how witnesses, especially victims of gender based violence, give evidence in court, such as using audio visual facilities, to help reduce secondary victimisation of those victims, because in the process of giving evidence they are forced to relive the experiences. The Domestic Violence Amendment Act sees new definitions of what constitutes domestic violence and places obligations on functionaries of government departments, like the way police render service to victims of domestic violence. To further advance gender equality Judge Rusi considers there are opportunities for government to implement policies aimed at ensuring gender parity and guard the right to equality. Additionally, society needs to stop typecasting women into traditional gender roles. Women should not allow anything or anyone to undervalue their self-worth and derail their dreams. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, for our series on women in the judiciary, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Judge Marisa Naude-Odendaal – from the Limpopo Division of the High Court, Polokwane. Judge Naude-Odendaal has had a strong sense of social justice from a young age which paved the way for a career in law. She gives us insight into real life experiences as a mother and professional, sharing how she used to drive 300km to and from work every day with her infant son, keep him under the “bench” and attend to him between sessions. She demonstrates that through self-determination, support structures and effective time management – everything is doable. We note that the legal system is constantly changing in response to the ever transforming environment. Judge Naude-Odendaal shares two recent precedent setting cases, from 2022, which have a significant impact on women. One case relates to maintenance orders, which now only prescribe 30 years after the order is issued, previously it was 3 years, which will allow claims for arrear maintenance. The second is recognition of Muslim marriages and the Marriage Act, lack of recognition means lack of protection of the rights of women and their children in the event of dissolution of these types of marriages. Judge Marisa Naude-Odendaal reminds us that women wear many hats, sometimes simultaneously, despite the pressures we face we should not allow anything to stop us from fulfilling our dreams. She says, “I think one must be fearless, set a goal and strive for it”. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, for our series on women in the judiciary, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to High Court Judge Carol Sibiya from the KwaZulu Natal division of the High Court. Judge Sibiya shares her journey to the judiciary and rising through the ranks to the bench, which was motivated, in part, by her father who was a lawyer, the desire to ensure people have access to justice and growing up in apartheid South Africa. We discuss some of her memorable cases, highlighting the duty of the court to exercise judgements in the best interest of children, and the power the court has to make meaningful changes, for example Judge Sibiya's ruling ensured LLB graduates from private institutions are allowed to enter the legal profession, previously only graduates from public universities were permitted to do so. We remark on the progress of women's rights in South Africa and the positive effects that representation of women in different spaces has on people's psyche, to understand the breadth of possibilities available to them. We highlight mentorship as a tool to help new recruits navigate their careers with the aid of  a solid sounding board to keep them accountable and remain true to their dreams. Tune in for more…

Ayşegül Kandaş, the Ambassador of Turkey to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. We discuss some of her career highlights and the instrumental role that education played in her development, noting the power of knowledge. Generally, the number of women in the diplomatic corps is increasing, and there is a relatively strong representation of female diplomats in Africa. Ambassador Kandaş shares some of her key objectives to foster productive enduring relationships between Turkey and the three countries she is accredited to in Africa. This includes increasing the level of investment from Turkish firms, improving trade, establishing development co-operation initiatives, opportunities for scholarships and projects for women and youth. Some of the programs geared towards women include entrepreneurship training, establishing networks of female small and medium enterprises, and providing trading markets. We discuss women in leadership and remark on varying proportions of women to men in parliaments across the world, pointing out that countries with higher numbers of women in parliament tend to have more egalitarian societies . Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in commemoration of the 46th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Director General of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) - Advocate Mikateko Joyce Maluleke. The theme of this year's youth month is “Promoting sustainable livelihoods and resilience of young people for a better tomorrow”. Almost two-thirds of the South African population are under the age of 35. Advocate Maluleke shares some of the programmes that the department has initiated to help address the challenges confronted by youth. For example, the Nelson Mandela Youth dialogues on ethical leadership promoting peace, reconciliation and democracy; fostering stronger relationships between countries in Africa to embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to improve intra-continental trade and socio-economic outcomes; work with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and initiating a programme to help unemployed graduates find gainful employment in their field of study. In terms of specific initiatives for women, the Director General discusses the goals of the Women Economic Assembly (WECONA), which is a partnership between the private sector, civil society and women's organisations, businesswomen and government that aims to facilitate the participation of women-owned businesses in core areas of the economy. In keeping with the economic empowerment of women, the DWYPD is planning to establish the biggest market expo in the world on 9 August 2022, which will bring together 90,000 women to connect, collaborate and contract to win.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in law, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya who is a Professor of Public Law in the Department of Public Law at the Nelson R Mandela School of Law, Faculty of Law, at the University of Fort Hare. Some of her roles include acting as Head of UNESCO Oliver Tambo Chair of Human Rights, serving as the former Commissioner of the South African Judicial Services Commission (JSC) representing the Society of Law Teachers of Southern Africa, acting as a Judge of the High Courts and was appointed as a Non-Judge Member of the South African Electoral Court. Her core area of research is on Constitutional Law with a broader focus on human rights and customary law specifically on socio-economic rights, judiciary, gender equality and women's rights. Our discussion includes: women in leadership, concerted succession planning efforts, transforming gender perspectives, developing practical gender policy frameworks, human rights education that entwines both rights and responsibilities and attaining an academic education to open doors that exceed your expectations. Prof. Ntlama-Makhanya shares how she overcame some of the challenges in her life through focus and a never give up approach, like having a brain tumour and going on to attain her doctorate. She reminds us that your past does not define your future. Tune in for more….

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in law, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Caroline Ncube who heads up the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Cape Town. She holds the South African Research Chair in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development. She serves as a member of the African Policy, Research & Advisory Group on STI, is a member of the Advisory Board of the African Network of International Economic Law (AfIELN) and of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). We discuss how these roles contribute to the discipline of law in both academia and practice; and note some of the accomplishments of women in the field of law. Some of Prof. Ncube's collaborations with Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt form part of the Open African Innovation Research Partnerships. One of her recent projects addresses patents and access to medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic. We discuss the liberating effects of education on women. Prof. Ncube reflects on the influence of gender in personal and professional life, where the perception of traditional gender roles can inhibit some women from advancing in their careers until their children are less dependent on them. Establishing childcare facilities at institutions, formulating robust support networks and reconsidering gender roles are a few interventions that could help women navigate various stages of their personal and professional lives. In closing Prof. Ncube reminds us that the hopes of the continent are pinned on women and youth; so if you are young and female the moment is yours, the continent is wide open reach out and take it. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in medicine, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Ledile Mokoka who specialises in nephrology at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. Kidney disease is often a secondary effect of other conditions like hypertension and diabetes, according to the diabetesatlas.org,  24 million people in Africa (1 in 22) have diabetes.  These are non-communicable diseases that could be prevented if adequate awareness and education were offered to communities.  We discuss some of the kidney disorders that she treats and highlight conditions that women are more predisposed too. We note the healthcare challenges that women living in rural areas are exposed to, including the lack of access to facilities and presenting late stage diagnoses. Dr. Mokoka shares signs for women to be on the lookout for (like fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea) and address with health care practitioners. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, as part of our commemoration for #AfricaDay, which is celebrated on 25 May, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Heide Hackmann, the Interim Director and Advisor on Transdisciplinarity and Global Knowledge Networks at the Future Africa Institute | University of Pretoria. Prior to this role Dr Hackmann served as CEO of the International Science Council. Future Africa is a research institute and pan-African platform that makes possible fundamentally new approaches to research and innovation that span disciplinary fields and geo-political boundaries to solve continental and global problems by collaborating between stakeholders in science and society. Some of these challenges include climate change, food security, poverty, human rights, gender equality, health and well-being, and biodiversity loss. Diversity and inclusivity are core values of Future Africa which help drive gender equality and equal participation of women across spheres. We emphasise the role of education and empowering Africa's for the future of the continent. Dr Hackman shares some insight into her leadership style, which include being inspirational (thinking BIG), being an effective enabler and decision maker, being authentic, connecting to people on a human level, and leading by example. Tune in for more….

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in medicine, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof Vanessa Steenkamp, the Deputy Dean of Teaching & Learning in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria. As an active member of scientific organizations she holds among other an executive role as President of the South African Association of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, President of the Federation of South African Society of Pathology and Vice-President of the Toxicology Society of South Africa. Her remit at the University of Pretoria encompasses 43 departments within Dentistry, Health Care Sciences, Health Systems and Public Health, and the School of Medicine. She emphasises that teaching and learning is an evolving process and institutions aim to equip students with skill sets to help future proof them for jobs which don't yet exist; instilling lifelong learning and embracing technology. We discuss a couple of recent initiatives geared towards the well-being of students. Namely a food parcel project, noting that at least 30% of students are food insecure and the other the UP Sight project which addressed students' vision. We highlight the fact that there are still low levels of women entering STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and remark on interventions to build a pipeline from school to university to the workplace. We also remark on the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Prof. Steenkamp encourages more women to embrace opportunities to rise to the top, urging women to stand together, support each other, join industry networks and participate in mentoring initiatives. Prof. Steenkamp shares her formulas for living life to the full, making space for family and a professional career. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in medicine, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Laetitia Rispel who holds a South African Research Chair, entitled Research on the Health Workforce for Equity and Quality. She is a Professor of Public Health at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.  She is both a former Head of the Wits School of Public Health (2012-2017), and a former Head of the Gauteng Provincial Government Department of Health (2001-2006). She is also a past president of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (2018-2020). Prof Rispel shares some of the challenges and achievements along her journey to improve public health systems and shape health policy in post-apartheid South Africa. For example, being inspired to go to university but lacking the means to do so, yet serendipitously, at a rubbish dump of all places, seeing a pamphlet to study nursing at university – all expenses paid.   Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in medicine, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Prisilla Seipati Makunyane – Head of Ophthalmology at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Prof. Makunyane is one of the first black female doctors to qualify as an ophthalmologist in South Africa, she serves as a role model and advocate for her specialisation encouraging more women to follow in her footsteps.  We reflect on the fact that medical training is a lengthy undertaking and the process can compromise women who want to start a family or have young children during this period. To help mitigate some of these issues training time could be extended as well as introducing flexible leave arrangements to help women fulfil their roles in the worlds of family and work.  Medicine is a rewarding and humbling discipline that impacts the well-being of societies. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in medicine, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Radmila Razlog who heads up the department of Complementary Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg.  Complementary medicine professions in South Africa consist of a diverse range of disciplines including phytotherapy, homeopathy, and acupuncture and offer a natural approach to health and wellbeing to manage conditions. Dr. Razlog notes there is a higher propensity for women to enter disciplines of complementary health as well as more women tending to seek treatment from allied health practitioners. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, in our series on women in medicine, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr Kavita Makan who is a Rheumatologist and specialist physician at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. She is also the clinical head of the Medical Covid-19 Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and current president of the South African Rheumatism and Arthritis Association. We highlight the fact that women are more susceptible to autoimmune disorders within the spectrum of rheumatic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. We discuss women in leadership and some of the strategies employed to uplift the morale of healthcare practitioners working on the frontline in the face of Covid-19 breakouts. Dr Makan urges people to live their best life as we only have one.  Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker, who won the gold medal and set the world record in the 200m breaststroke event at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She shares her Olympic experience and journey to Gold. She emphasises faith, discipline, strong support systems and leading a balanced life as contributing factors, stating that “a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer”. We remark that women's sports do not receive equal attention to men's sports from media coverage to pay scales. We acknowledge that professional sporting careers are relatively short-lived and highlight education as a tool to help develop alternative careers particular for women. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the High Commissioner of Botswana to South Africa Tshenolo Modise.  We discuss some of the gender challenges experienced by female diplomats and the balancing act that many professional women experience as they juggle their work and home commitments. We discuss the impact that the Botswana women's movement in 1986 had on opening opportunities for women to pursue careers of their choosing, even in fields that were previously dominated by men, such as politics, the priesthood and becoming tribal chiefs. We emphasise the role of education not only as an enabling tool for the empowerment of women, but also to shift traditional mindsets to accept women as equals in all walks of life. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Ambassador of the Republic of Congo Chantal Maryse Itoua-Apoyolo, who is accredited to South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.  We discuss gender equality developments in the Republic of Congo. For instance, the formation of the Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women, whose motto was “Seule la lutte libère”, which translates to “Only the Fight will Free Us”. The efforts of this Union helped pave the way for the rights and opportunities that women enjoy today.  Congo promotes equal access to all levels of education irrespective of gender. The country initiated a program called Positive Masculinity which emphasises that attaining gender equality requires the involvement of men. We reflect on  the fact that societies can and should evolve to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the the Deputy Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), which is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, Ms Dorothy Tembo. She shares pivotal moments in her career and life, that have charted her path from Zambia to Switzerland. We discuss some of the core goals of the ITC, which works towards creating ‘trade impact for good', and highlight some of the ITC's initiatives in relation to women in Africa. For example the SheTrades initiative has connected three million women to market, and continues to expand its hubs into different countries.  We remark on evolving culture and tradition to progress gender equality and women's empowerment. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, we commemorate International Women's Day, which is celebrated annually on the 8th of March. This year's theme is Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.  The leaders featured in today's compilation share their views on the significance of International Women's Day and gender equality. In today's compilation we hear from Ambassador of Finland to South Africa and non-resident Ambassador of Finland to Botswana, Lesotho and Mauritius, Anne Lammila who shares some of the factors that contribute to advancing gender equality, emphasising the need to defend women's political and economic rights. High Court Judge Thando Mankge from the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court asserts that legislation cannot remain paper rhetoric, it must be applied in practice for women's rights to be honoured as human rights. Dr. Melinda Suchard who is the Head of the Centre for Vaccines and Immunology in The National Institute For Communicable Diseases, with a joint appointment as lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, discusses women in leadership and reflects on traits of authenticity, positivity, emotional intelligence, self-confidence, caring about your followers and looking at the long run. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, we commemorate International Women's Day, which is celebrated annually on the 8th of March. This year's theme is Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.  The leaders featured in today's compilation share their views on the significance of International Women's Day and gender equality. In today's compilation we hear from South Africa's Ambassador to Switzerland Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele who emphasizes the role of legislative frameworks for gender equality and monitoring of these instruments to help move women's issues forward and crack glass ceilings. Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane advocates for reversing gender stereotypes to help level the playing field and urges women in the workforce to create their own table rather than waiting for a seat at an existing one. Canada's Global Affairs Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb Sandra McCardell addresses possible actions to progress Goal 5 - Gender Equality of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and encourages women to believe in themselves, develop their education, become economically independent and embrace the sisterhood to help one another achieve our goals. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, we commemorate International Women's Day, which is celebrated annually on the 8th of March. This year's theme is Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.  The leaders featured in today's compilation share their views on the significance of International Women's Day and gender equality. The Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea Librada Ela Asumu speaks about opportunity, leadership, commitment and employment as factors that contribute to gender equality. Member of parliament Alexandra Abrahams from the Democratic Alliance shares a few inspirational words that contribute to success, such as investing into your focal area, seeking out individuals that know more than you, surrounding yourself with supportive people and showing kindness to others. Member of parliament Zandile Majozi from the Inkatha Freedom Party reminds us that women's issues need year round solutions not just attention for one day in the annual calendar. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Equatorial Guinea's Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Librada Ela Asumu. Some of her previous appointments include working at the United Nations, serving in the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women Protection and Ministry of External Affairs and Co-operation. We consider some cultural tensions effecting gender equality despite constitutional legislature in Equatorial Guinea. For example, perceptions that successful career women neglect their families, that being married is a sign of social acceptance, that women have ceilings imposed on their ambitions. We debunk these myths demonstrating that stereotypical thinking is outmoded and threatens the empowerment of women.  Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka catches up with one of the show's former guests, renowned musician and humanitarian Yvonne "Chaka Chaka" Mhinga, who also received the Order of Ikhamanga for her contribution to music and social cohesion. We reflect on poignant moments in the early phase of her career, where art and music were forms of ammunition to fight against inequalities and conscientize the public about apartheid atrocities. She recalls receiving a note from former president Nelson Mandela and chewing it up through fear of being arrested by the special branch and reflects on the enduring support of Winnie Mandela. Freedom was hard won in South Africa, but it's not our only fight; gender based violence, inequality, poverty and intolerance need to be overcome too. Yvonne Chaka Chaka uses her platforms for good, part of her humanitarian efforts includes serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for Malaria in Africa, this disease is one of the leading causes of death in the continent.  Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Miss SA 2021, Lalela Mswane, who was also crowned second runner up for Miss Universe 2021. We discuss how this empowerment platform has impacted on her life and some of the responsibilities associated with being Miss SA notably serving as a brand ambassador and agent of change not just nationally but globally. Lalela shares her views on role models, leadership, sustainability, climate change, education, empowering young entrepreneurs to create their own economic opportunities in the face of extensive unemployment, and equipping women to become confident competent individuals. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of Anglo American Platinum (AMPLATS), Natascha Viljoen, who sits on the Anglo American Platinum Board and the Group Management Committee of Anglo American plc. She reflects on factors that led to her career in mining, from getting “the smell of the place” as a child during site trips with her father, who worked on gold mines, and drawing on this energy, to a love of science and math which fueled her interest in a technical career, specifically in mining. We discuss some of the targeted empowerment activities that AMPLATS has in place for women, both in the local communities where it operates and the business itself. We remark on the fact that it is possible for women to make an impact and break ceilings in male dominated environments. Women introduce different perspectives, which in turn reshapes the workplace, contributes to diversity and innovation.  Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to member of parliament Kathleen Dibolelo Mahlatsi from the African National Congress (ANC), who also serves on the portfolio committees of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, as well as Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. We remark on the role of the ANC Women's League to spearhead the ANC's gender parity policy which aims for equal representation of women and men throughout the structures of the party; furthermore how this policy influences broader society to encourage gender equality. Additionally, we reflect on the continued relevance of the ANC Women's League, as a structure that advocates for the needs of the voiceless, defends and advances the rights of women in South Africa. We highlight education, especially higher education, as a vital tool to empower women and additionally drive the country's economy growth and social well-being through skilled individuals. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to member of parliament Alexandra Abrahams from the Democratic Alliance, who also serves on the portfolio committee of Social Development. Applying a gendered lens she unpacks various social development programs in relation to women, such as crime prevention, substance abuse, victim empowerment shelters, social grants, early childhood development and maternal support. We discuss the impact political actions exert on people's lives, one law or policy can change the future, so people should take an active interest to shape decisions that affect their wellbeing and that of their communities. For women interested in a political career, it starts with being involved in community matters, following issues that concern you in parliament, keeping abreast of narratives from global female leaders and asking what role you can play to drive a cause. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to member of parliament Zandile Majozi from the Inkatha Freedom Party. She serves on the portfolio committees of Police and Communication. We highlight the power and responsibility of politicians to drive change supported by implementable policies. For example, establishing structures in organisations to effectively address gender equality issues, such as ensuring sufficient numbers of female candidates are shortlisted for vacancies or enforcing salary parity. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Shirley Zinn, who serves as a Non-Executive Director on several corporate boards (Sanlam, MTN, Spur, Boston Consulting Group, World Wildlife Fund etc...), she focusses on strategic human resources, business leadership, transformation and women's development. Dr. Zinn candidly bares pains and gains from her life and finding purpose. We combine perspectives from women in the workplace, who juggle home commitments and personal ambition in conjunction with the responsibilities of companies to recognise the multidimensional nature of women, enable their talent through appropriate support and give them opportunities to grow. Human diversity is much more than ticking off boxes on a scorecard, it's a source of innovation and creativity. The objective of an organisation is no longer just about the business of business, it is about its purpose in society. Dr Zinn's story is one of hope, humanism, compassion, care, diligence and resilience. Tune in for more.

Welcome to Womanity Women in Unity, this is our final broadcast of 2021 and we use this show to share some of the lessons learned from female leaders about leadership. The Ambassador of Norway Dr. Astrid Helle remarks on the types of societies that accept female leaders and some of the characteristics of successful women in leadership. Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Candith Mashego-Dlamini discusses the negative effects concerning global issues and gender inequality if women do not take up leadership roles, and comments on some of the initiatives various countries have adopted to reduce gender inequality; Member of Parliament Liezl Van der Merwe from the Inkatha Freedom Party shares her thoughts on what is needed to ensure more women make it to the top of their fields. The former CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Nicky Newton King talks about the competitive advantage of diversity in business and the value leaders attain from embracing it. Head of the Centre for Vaccines and Immunology in the National Institute for Communicable Disease Dr. Melinda Suchard cautions against self-sabotage, often the hurdles we perceive are in our own minds rather than being an actual physical barrier, people want you to succeed, you just need to say what it is you need; people will support you. Tune in for more.

Welcome to Womanity Women in Unity, this episode reflects on a few factors of success, as experienced by some of this year's guests, who are global and local leaders. The Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland grew up with the philosophy that God bestows talent upon every individual, but it's up to us to find it, hone it and use it for the benefit of others; and never be afraid to try.  The former CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Nicky Newton-King reflects on family values and a sense of social justice as constructs of her path to success. The CEO of BP Southern Africa Taelo Mojapelo tells us that her three key drivers of success are authenticity, courage and humility. The Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs of Sierra Leone Manti Tarawalli recalls the influence of strong independent family matriarchs and faith as sources of her success. The High Commissioner of Kenya Catherine Muigai Mwangi describes how education, possessing a strong work ethic, and following a purpose have contributed to her career. The Ambassador of Finland Anne Lammila cites personal traits of curiosity and confidence, as well as supportive networks as key success factors in her life. Member of Parliament Nazley Sharif from the Democratic Alliance speaks about being a change agent to make a difference in women's lives. Lastly, Professor Jacqueline Smilg from the University of the Witwatersrand reminds us to enjoy what we do and be true to our values and ethics. Tune in for more

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the CEO of BP Southern Africa, Ms Taelo Mojapelo. She shares key career and life moments that have shaped her, with courage being a guiding force. We discuss the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and factors affecting this, from underdeveloped soft skills to operating in a patriarchal environment. We highlight the responsibility of female leaders to not only develop upcoming women but open opportunities for them to ascend to the top. For example,  BP Southern Africa now has 45% female representation at executive level. Gender equity and the fight for female emancipation is not under the jurisdiction of women alone; to accelerate these agendas men need to advocate for these issues too. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South African Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder Anruné Weyers. She shares her Tokyo 2020 experience, from creative workouts (incorporating her Beagle in weight training) during lockdown, to contracting Covid-19 just prior to the Games, to going on to win gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The Paralympics is a globally celebrated event that helps to raise awareness for persons with disabilities and their exceptional capabilities. However, persons with disabilities still experience widespread discrimination, and in view of International Day of Persons with Disabilities which was held on 3 December 2021, we discuss some aspects of social and economic discrimination that persons with disabilities encounter and consider how greater inclusivity can be attained. Tune in for more.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Heidi Prozesky from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, who surveyed approximately 5000 respondents from 30 countries in Africa to understand the next generation of young scientists in the continent as well as challenges faced by female scientists. Some of the issues inhibiting the progress of female scientists in the region, when compared to their male counterparts, include lower uptake of options to travel and work in different countries, fewer publication outputs and less collaboration with peers. Many of these issues link to the way that societies value women, the opportunities available to women, perceived gender norms and responsibilities which make striking a balance between excelling in a career and caring for a family demanding. Tune in for more.