This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South Africa’s Ambassador to Switzerland Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele.

We reflect on some of her career milestones, from working with the ruling African National Congress in exile and returning home to continue that work and shape South Africa into a democratic country. 

We discuss aspects of her current role emphasising foreign investment, research, innovation and science as well as applying start-up know-how to assist the Small Micro, Medium Enterprise sector in South Africa. 
We engage on some equality challenges that women still have to contend with, such as patriarchy. 

At the same time, we consider interventions to help change society through socialisation and leaning on South Africa’s constitution as a guiding framework. 

In terms of building female leadership we remark on establishing mentor-mentee programmes to help women navigate their respective career paths. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South Africa’s Ambassador to Switzerland Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele. We reflect on some of her career milestones, from working with the ruling African National Congress in exile and returning home to continue that work and shape South Africa into a democratic country. We discuss aspects of her current role emphasising foreign investment, research, innovation and science as well as applying start-up know-how to assist the Small Micro, Medium Enterprise sector in South Africa. We engage on some equality challenges that women still have to contend with, such as patriarchy. At the same time, we consider interventions to help change society through socialisation and leaning on South Africa’s constitution as a guiding framework. In terms of building female leadership we remark on establishing mentor-mentee programmes to help women navigate their respective career paths. Tune in for more…

In conversation with SA Ambassador to Switzerland, Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to member of parliament, Nomsa Marchesi from the Democratic Alliance. 

She serves on the portfolio committee of Higher Education, Science and Technology. 

We address the role of a country’s education systems, not just from the view of knowledge gain, the ability to access the job market and contribute to the nation’s economy, but also from the perspective of producing socially conscious citizens that understand their impact on society and the responsibilities they have towards their communities.

Marchesi reflects on her own education, as a student of the 80s, post the 1976 uprising, and the eventual subject choices she made, not from personal volition but from the influence of wise elders who prevented her from studying career limiting topics. 

We remark on women leading their families and directing subsequent generations to better themselves. 

We discuss some of the responsibilities of parliament members in terms of addressing their constituents’ needs and bringing female voices to platforms that are intended to drive change. 

Yet, although South Africa has an abundance of positive policies that are designed to improve the wellbeing of women and open equal opportunities, implementation of paper rhetoric still remains a challenge. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to member of parliament, Nomsa Marchesi from the Democratic Alliance. She serves on the portfolio committee of Higher Education, Science and Technology. We address the role of a country’s education systems, not just from the view of knowledge gain, the ability to access the job market and contribute to the nation’s economy, but also from the perspective of producing socially conscious citizens that understand their impact on society and the responsibilities they have towards their communities. Marchesi reflects on her own education, as a student of the 80s, post the 1976 uprising, and the eventual subject choices she made, not from personal volition but from the influence of wise elders who prevented her from studying career limiting topics. We remark on women leading their families and directing subsequent generations to better themselves. We discuss some of the responsibilities of parliament members in terms of addressing their constituents’ needs and bringing female voices to platforms that are intended to drive change. Yet, although South Africa has an abundance of positive policies that are designed to improve the wellbeing of women and open equal opportunities, implementation of paper rhetoric still remains a challenge. Tune in for more…

Building economically productive youth through relevant education

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Ntombizozuko (Zozo) Dyani-Mhango, who is a Professor in the Department of Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria and inaugural fellow of the Pan African Scientific Research Council.
Dyani-Mhango describes three critical functions in her portfolio: teaching, research and academic citizenship.
She highlights her research on international criminal justice in Africa, where she considers African Union member states’ obligations for international crimes, the power struggles between the African Union and International Criminal Court, and South Africa’s obligations to hold perpetrators accountable.
We acknowledge the tremendous role that women play in peace, justice and security. We note the need for more women to be more involved in negotiations and occupy leadership positions.
Considering the South African context and COVID-19 we unpack some of the challenges faced by students learning online, such as: lack of data, adequate privacy to attend class, and the ability to engage.
In light of this point we debate if access to the Internet should be a human right.
Dyani-Mhango shares aspects of the Pan African Scientific Research Council as an institution to bring together African researchers and Africa focussed research. We discuss the lack of women at the top of academic hierarchies and the foundations that female academics are laying to make the journey easier for upcoming women in their fields. 
Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Ntombizozuko (Zozo) Dyani-Mhango, who is a Professor in the Department of Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria and inaugural fellow of the Pan African Scientific Research Council. Dyani-Mhango describes three critical functions in her portfolio: teaching, research and academic citizenship. She highlights her research on international criminal justice in Africa, where she considers African Union member states’ obligations for international crimes, the power struggles between the African Union and International Criminal Court, and South Africa’s obligations to hold perpetrators accountable. We acknowledge the tremendous role that women play in peace, justice and security. We note the need for more women to be more involved in negotiations and occupy leadership positions. Considering the South African context and COVID-19 we unpack some of the challenges faced by students learning online, such as: lack of data, adequate privacy to attend class, and the ability to engage. In light of this point we debate if access to the Internet should be a human right. Dyani-Mhango shares aspects of the Pan African Scientific Research Council as an institution to bring together African researchers and Africa focussed research. We discuss the lack of women at the top of academic hierarchies and the foundations that female academics are laying to make the journey easier for upcoming women in their fields. Tune in for more…

This and that with Prof. Ntombizozuko Dyani-Mhango

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South Africa’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo.

We discuss feminisation of government services across the globe and increasing the ratio of female to male diplomats.

In part, this trend takes consideration of the changing nature of diplomacy and international relations which now tends to address common global interest issues, such as climate change, human rights and sustainable development.

We consider some of the duties of diplomats and skills needed to perform in this role through a stakeholder management lens, emphasising capabilities of communication, negotiation and influence.

The High Commissioner remarks on some of the achievements during her tenure, which include developing academic collaborations, progressing shared expertise and lifting trade bans on importing South African wine.

We acknowledge the challenges and obstacles that women still need to overcome to rise in their disciplines of choice and remind women to keep opening spaces for other women to reduce gender inequality.

Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to South Africa’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo. We discuss feminisation of government services across the globe and increasing the ratio of female to male diplomats. In part, this trend takes consideration of the changing nature of diplomacy and international relations which now tends to address common global interest issues, such as climate change, human rights and sustainable development. We consider some of the duties of diplomats and skills needed to perform in this role through a stakeholder management lens, emphasising capabilities of communication, negotiation and influence. The High Commissioner remarks on some of the achievements during her tenure, which include developing academic collaborations, progressing shared expertise and lifting trade bans on importing South African wine. We acknowledge the challenges and obstacles that women still need to overcome to rise in their disciplines of choice and remind women to keep opening spaces for other women to reduce gender inequality. Tune in for more…

In conversation with SA High Commissioner to Canada, Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament, Liezl Van der Merwe from the Inkatha Freedom Party. 
She serves on several parliament committees, namely: Multi-Party Women's Caucus; Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs; Portfolio Committee on Social Development; Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests. 
Although there is parity representation of women in most committees, which successfully voice issues relating to women, the real question is are those voices translating to real change for women on the ground? 
The Department of Social Development’s South African Social Security Agency heavily impacts on women through poverty alleviation programmes. 
For example in rural areas 70% of households are female headed. We discuss the issue of gender mainstreaming expenditure with respect to fiscal budgets as a tool to accelerate change to benefit women. 
Van der Merwe cites two examples: the poor rollout of free sanitary pads to girls, which would help ensure their continued education and reduce dropout rates, and the chronic underfunding of women’s shelters, where women and children seek refuge from abuse, which may receive as little as R5 per day per person in contrast to prisons receiving R550 per prisoner, who may be perpetrators of domestic violence. 

There is an imbalance in the way that government disburses funds on gender empowerment projects. 
Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament, Liezl Van der Merwe from the Inkatha Freedom Party. She serves on several parliament committees, namely: Multi-Party Women's Caucus; Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs; Portfolio Committee on Social Development; Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests. Although there is parity representation of women in most committees, which successfully voice issues relating to women, the real question is are those voices translating to real change for women on the ground? The Department of Social Development’s South African Social Security Agency heavily impacts on women through poverty alleviation programmes. For example in rural areas 70% of households are female headed. We discuss the issue of gender mainstreaming expenditure with respect to fiscal budgets as a tool to accelerate change to benefit women. Van der Merwe cites two examples: the poor rollout of free sanitary pads to girls, which would help ensure their continued education and reduce dropout rates, and the chronic underfunding of women’s shelters, where women and children seek refuge from abuse, which may receive as little as R5 per day per person in contrast to prisons receiving R550 per prisoner, who may be perpetrators of domestic violence. There is an imbalance in the way that government disburses funds on gender empowerment projects. Tune in for more…

In conversation with IFP MP, Liezl Van der Merwe

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament, Thandiswa Marawu from the African Transformation Movement. 
She serves on several parliament commitees, namely: Multi-Party Women's Caucus; Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation; Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; and Standing Committee on Public Accounts. 
Our conversation raises the issue of consequence management to drive implementation of government mandates. 
We remark on the negative impact Covid-19 has had on political affairs, particularly when it comes to community engagement, and the regression of employment and poverty alleviation strategies. 
We also discuss connecting to women in rural areas and ensuring they are empowered with knowledge of their rights and actions to take when these are violated. 
Marawu also shares her journey into politics, triggered by the injustices of apartheid and undignified treatment of her mother, with the ambition to transform societies and structures for the better. 
Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament, Thandiswa Marawu from the African Transformation Movement. She serves on several parliament commitees, namely: Multi-Party Women's Caucus; Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation; Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; and Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Our conversation raises the issue of consequence management to drive implementation of government mandates. We remark on the negative impact Covid-19 has had on political affairs, particularly when it comes to community engagement, and the regression of employment and poverty alleviation strategies. We also discuss connecting to women in rural areas and ensuring they are empowered with knowledge of their rights and actions to take when these are violated. Marawu also shares her journey into politics, triggered by the injustices of apartheid and undignified treatment of her mother, with the ambition to transform societies and structures for the better. Tune in for more…

Talking consequence management with MP Thandiswa Marawu

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament and National Chairperson of Economic Freedom Fighters, Ntombovuyo Veronica Mente. 
She serves on the Standing Committee of the Auditor General and Standing Committee of Public Accounts. 
Mente emphasises the importance of not just speaking about issues that affect women, but taking effective action. 
Pertinent areas requiring attention include gender-based violence, unemployment, lack of empowerment and adequate resources to safeguard women. 
Whilst government has a responsibility to support institutions that enable and protect women, women cannot be complacent, they must empower themselves and consciously seek out or create opportunities to fulfil their ambitions. 

Mente further reflects on growing up under the influence of her fierce feminist of a grandmother, as well as her journey into politics with a core motivation to bring about meaningful change.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament and National Chairperson of Economic Freedom Fighters, Ntombovuyo Veronica Mente. She serves on the Standing Committee of the Auditor General and Standing Committee of Public Accounts. Mente emphasises the importance of not just speaking about issues that affect women, but taking effective action. Pertinent areas requiring attention include gender-based violence, unemployment, lack of empowerment and adequate resources to safeguard women. Whilst government has a responsibility to support institutions that enable and protect women, women cannot be complacent, they must empower themselves and consciously seek out or create opportunities to fulfil their ambitions. Mente further reflects on growing up under the influence of her fierce feminist of a grandmother, as well as her journey into politics with a core motivation to bring about meaningful change.

In conversation with EFF MP, Ntombovuyo Veronica Mente

In Womanity-Women in Unity this week, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka chats to Member of Parliament (MP), Heloïse Denner from the Freedom Front Plus. 

She serves on the Portfolio Committee for Employment and Labour. 
Denner shares some of the responsibilities associated with being an MP, emphasising oversight of government departments and being able to make a real difference in people’s lives. 

We further discuss the high unemployment rate in South Africa, officially at 32.5%, and the slow progress of government as well as current policies to create jobs. 

In terms of female empowerment, women need to have adequate access to education and employment. The opportunities that women have today were built off the actions of strong women and men that have gone before us.

Tune in for more…

In Womanity-Women in Unity this week, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka chats to Member of Parliament (MP), Heloïse Denner from the Freedom Front Plus. She serves on the Portfolio Committee for Employment and Labour. Denner shares some of the responsibilities associated with being an MP, emphasising oversight of government departments and being able to make a real difference in people’s lives. We further discuss the high unemployment rate in South Africa, officially at 32.5%, and the slow progress of government as well as current policies to create jobs. In terms of female empowerment, women need to have adequate access to education and employment. The opportunities that women have today were built off the actions of strong women and men that have gone before us. Tune in for more…

In conversation with Heloise Denner

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament, Nazley Sharif, from the Democratic Alliance.
She serves on the portfolio committees of the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. 
Our discussion with her also reflects on Freedom Day, which is commemorated on April 27.
The conversation touches on Freedom Day commemorations yet some communities are still discriminated against, for example the oppression of women, which leaves them out of the economic circle. 
We discuss some of the platforms in parliament that aim to progress women’s agendas, such as the multiparty women’s caucus. 

In our discussion on gender-based violence and femicide, we consider how government institutions need to be held to account and fulfil targets that have been set across the entire system. Over 90% of sexual offences in South Africa are committed against women and it is estimated that almost 30% of these crimes go unreported. 
In the 10 years period (2008-2018) 584 497 sexual offences were reported to the South African Police Services. 
Listen to Sharif’s views on the issues…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Member of Parliament, Nazley Sharif, from the Democratic Alliance. She serves on the portfolio committees of the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. Our discussion with her also reflects on Freedom Day, which is commemorated on April 27. The conversation touches on Freedom Day commemorations yet some communities are still discriminated against, for example the oppression of women, which leaves them out of the economic circle. We discuss some of the platforms in parliament that aim to progress women’s agendas, such as the multiparty women’s caucus. In our discussion on gender-based violence and femicide, we consider how government institutions need to be held to account and fulfil targets that have been set across the entire system. Over 90% of sexual offences in South Africa are committed against women and it is estimated that almost 30% of these crimes go unreported. In the 10 years period (2008-2018) 584 497 sexual offences were reported to the South African Police Services. Listen to Sharif’s views on the issues…

In conversation with DA’s Nazley Sharif

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Elizabeth Makhatha, who is head of the Engineering Metallurgy Department in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg. 

Makhatha walks us through her career journey, starting from humble beginnings fueled by dreams, hope and faith to turn her early curiosity into becoming a material scientist. 
She shares some of the important research projects underway in the department, which have strong practical implications in industry from the automotive sector to the mining industry and health space. 
She shares some of her views to encourage greater participation of women in STEM subjects. We discuss women in leadership and factors that contribute to equality and female empowerment. 
Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Elizabeth Makhatha, who is head of the Engineering Metallurgy Department in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg. Makhatha walks us through her career journey, starting from humble beginnings fueled by dreams, hope and faith to turn her early curiosity into becoming a material scientist. She shares some of the important research projects underway in the department, which have strong practical implications in industry from the automotive sector to the mining industry and health space. She shares some of her views to encourage greater participation of women in STEM subjects. We discuss women in leadership and factors that contribute to equality and female empowerment. Tune in for more…

Catching up with UJ’s Prof. Makhatha

"Womanity - Women in Unity" is a weekly programme produced by Dr Amaleya Goneos- Malka. The programme celebrates prominent and ordinary African women's achievements towards self-emancipation, human rights, and democracy. It also deals with social ills, such as, racism, socio-economic class division, and gender based violence.

"Womanity - Women in Unity" is a weekly programme produced by Dr Amaleya Goneos- Malka.

Womanity - Women in Unity

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