Empowering next generation of women STEM leaders

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum, Senegalese forestry engineer

And Dioum’s profound words resonated deeply with attendees at the 2025 STEM MentHER induction ceremony, held at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences on Friday, 4 April. The event marked the beginning of a new chapter for 11 Grade 12 girls from across the Western Cape, who were officially inducted into the prestigious STEM MentHER programme. Participating schools included Wynberg Girls’ High School; Star College; Rhenish Girls’ High School; Claremont High School; Parel Vallei High; Joe Slovo Engineering High School; St Joseph’s Marist College; and Intshukumo Secondary School.

Inspiring and empowering young women

The STEM MentHER programme is a mentorship initiative designed to inspire and empower young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The programme pairs high school learners (mentees) with experienced academics and senior postgraduate students (mentors) at universities across South Africa. These mentors provide invaluable guidance as mentees explore potential career paths and navigate the critical school-to-university transition. The programme is supported by seven leading universities including UCT, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Western Cape, North-West University, University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

“They are not only gaining access to knowledge and mentorship but also becoming part of a community that will support them in their pursuit of [their] dreams and aspirations in the world of STEM.”

The UCT division of STEM MentHER is led by Associate Professor Shareefa Dalvie, Nakita Laing, Dr Khuthala Mnika (based in the Division of Human Genetics) and Dr Lungile Sithole (based in Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences). The group are committed to nurturing the next generation of women scientists and innovators.

“As these young women embark on their STEM MentHER journey, they are not only gaining access to knowledge and mentorship but also becoming part of a community that will support them in their pursuit of [their] dreams and aspirations in the world of STEM,” said Associate Professor Dalvie.

Embrace your career path with curiosity and passion

Addressing the group of would-be scientists, UCT’s Professor Komala Pillay, the head of the Department of Pathology, captivated the audience with her inspiring career trajectory – from high school into the academy, as well as her roles at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) and the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH). She encouraged the learners to embrace their chosen careers with curiosity and passion. And she highlighted the importance of ethics, integrity, respect, and honesty in achieving success.

Shortly after Professor Pillay’s address, Lisakhanya Magontolo, a first-year MBChB student at UCT and 2024 STEM MentHER mentee, took to the podium and shared her personal journey. Magontolo also touched on the profound impact her mentor had on her academic and personal growth and urged the new cohort of learners to fully engage with the mentorship programme and cherish their final year of high school.