Prof. Ntanganedzeni Olivia Mapholi – Head of Agriculture and Animal Health at the University of South Africa

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Prof. Ntanganedzeni Olivia Mapholi, who heads up the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Agriculture and food feature prominently in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals because of the role they have in the economy and environment, and the impact they have on sustainability, climate and biodiversity, as well as nutrition and health. UNISA’s Department of Agriculture and Animal Health plays a significant role in developing people, processes and products for the agricultural sector in Africa. Prof. Mapholi emphasises the close link between academic research to advance farming practices in the field, such as increasing milk production, breeding tick resistant cattle, helping farmers overcome swine fever and more. In terms of women in leadership, UNISA’s first female Vice Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula is a role model to female academics, inspiring them to realise their ambitions and make a difference in their disciplines that contribute beyond country borders. Mentorship is an important tool to guide women’s development, as is knowledge through education that furthers your passion. UNISA is a distance learning institution which enables students to study flexibly from anywhere in the world. Tune in for more…