This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Mboni Mohamed Mhita – Member of Parliament - Tanzania for the Handeni Vijijini Constituency, who has a special interest in youth. We acknowledge that Africa has a burgeoning youth population who experience different challenges to their counterparts in other continents. Education is a priority to upskill and empower, but current education systems are flawed in terms of preparing students for a world of self-employment. We address some of the programs that Tanzania has in place with respect to girls to promote their education, providing access to schools as well as sanitary protection during menstruation to prevent interruptions in their schooling. We raise the point of creating space for women and carving out a common agenda to elect more women into positions of leadership. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Jessye Lapenn - Chargé d’Affaires at the United States of America Mission about a few aspects in her portfolio, as well as some activities that relate to the development of women. We discuss key youth outreach projects that focus on leadership development, and emphasize that young people want to be included in policy discussions that impact them to derive suitable solutions. We mention the United States’ recent pledge of R16bn to help control the HIV/AIDs epidemic in South Africa, noting that every week 1200 girls are infected by this disease. We talk about trade opportunities, like AGOA (Africa Growth Opportunity Act) and urge  female entrepreneurs in Africa to take advantage of this initiative. Tune in for more…

This

week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Claire

Johnston lead singer of iconic South African music group Mango Groove. We

reflect on the band’s longevity, as an 11 member multi-ethnic group, which came

together under the Apartheid regime and is now celebrating the 30th

anniversary of their debut album. We discuss some of the inequalities that

women still have to overcome, such as pay disparity to issues of poor self

esteem. We comment on social movements like “MeToo” as activism aimed at

putting an end to disparaging and abusive behaviour that undermines women and

their talent. Tune in for more…

This

week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Nazereen Captieux-Bhana the CEO

of eDeaf (www.edeaf.co.za), an organisation that she founded

in 2007 which focuses on training and empowering the Deaf for job placements in

industry. We talk about her career journey as

well as the barriers and challenges she has experienced as a deaf woman.

Nazereen provides insight into the Deaf community such as establishing identity

and belonging. This segment of the population is underserved across the

spectrum, from inadequate media options to underqualified interpreters to poor

access to services to the need to increase the availability of specialised

quality education. Nazereen emphasises that deaf people are capable of doing

anything, but attitudes of both hearing and deaf people need to shift to open

thinking and recognise opportunities. 

Tune in for more…

This

week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Alicia

Girón the Coordinator of the University Program for Asian and African

Studies from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. We talk about women

and financialisation, encompassing aspects of empowerment, entrepreneurship and

access to finance. We discuss components of the micro-finance value chain loop

including institutional investors that lend and profit from this service. Dr

Girón also talks about feminist economics, the care economy and the role of

public policy and the State in terms of support structures to enable women’s

economic participation and financial independence. Tune in for more…

This

week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Noni “She Bee Stingin” Tenge who

is a five time World Champion boxer. Noni was part of a group of five women that pioneered

female boxing in South Africa, whose activism succeeded to change the Boxing

Act and permit women to box in this country. She shares some of the highlights

in her career as well as the challenges she faced in her decision to pursue a

male dominated sport. We speak about sport as a tool to develop values of

discipline, focus and commitment, particularly in the youth. Noni is passionate

about developing women in sport and fighting against women abuse throughout the

continent.  Tune in for more…

This

week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Bukiwe “the Anaconda” Nonina who

is the current World Boxing Federation Champion of the Bantamweight division and also holds

the title of best female boxer in South Africa. Bukiwe shares her passion for boxing

and her exceptional family support system whose collective team spirit helps to

realise her goals. She remarks on how she turns failure into success by

consciously analysing mistakes to overcome weaknesses. Women’s boxing is a

growing sport that needs to be developed. Beyond the intensive physical training,

boxing teaches discipline, endurance, confidence and self-esteem. In closing Bukiwe

urges women to focus, to never choose a career

over education and to respect themselves. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Buhlebendalo Mda vocalist of award-winning South African a capella music group The Soil. Buhle cites the soundtrack of township life in Soweto - from mums and neighbours gossiping in kitchens, to commuters trundling in taxis and trains, to uncles clinking glasses in bars - as sounds that informed The Soil’s unique a capella genre labelled Kasi Soul. We discuss the role of musicians beyond entertainment to one of influence that voices social issues and public truths; a power which should be exercised responsibly. In addition to her music, Buhle has a social initiative called Soil Sista Projects which looks to fill the emotional void that many high school children experience as a result of their parents and teachers neglecting their needs. In closing Buhle reminds women to be true themselves, believe in themselves and support each other. Tune in for more…

This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Dee Smythe, a Professor of Public Law and Deputy Dean for Research in the Law Faculty at the University of Cape Town about her work in the gender space. We speak about findings from her book, titled “Rape Unresolved”, which considers view points of both women activitists and police regarding high attrition of rape cases in South Africa and some of the reasoning for low conviction rates of this crime.  In terms of women in leadership Prof Smythe highlights mentorship as a pivotal mechanism to transfer both tacit and explicit knowledge to aid learning curves, as well as strong networks that simultaneously challenge and provide support. Tune in for more…

This

week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to

Parliamentarian and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public

Enterprises Ms Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe about some of the responsibilities in

this role. She highlights a few core infrastructure projects that the energy

and rail freight sectors are undertaking to increase capacity and unlock economic

benefits. Ms Mnganga-Gcabashe outlines some of South Africa’s female friendly

policies in relation to empowerment and equality and the necessity of

implementing these policies to overcome gender disparity. She also draws

attention to the importance of formal and informal education as tools to

empower women to help them overcome socio-cultural challenges. Tune in for more…