{"id":1344,"date":"2025-09-09T09:24:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T09:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saip.org.za\/WIPISA\/?page_id=1344"},"modified":"2025-10-06T09:18:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T09:18:06","slug":"wipisa-turns-20","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wipisa.saip.org.za\/index.php\/home\/wipisa-turns-20\/","title":{"rendered":"WiPiSA Turns 20"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Celebrating 20 Years of Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA)<\/strong><\/h3>

This year (2025) marks a remarkable milestone – 20 years of Women in Physics South Africa (WiPiSA)<\/strong>! For two decades, WiPiSA has worked to empower women in physics, nurture future leaders, and create opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy across South Africa and beyond.<\/p>

As we celebrate this anniversary, we honour the pioneers who laid the foundation, recognise the progress made in research, leadership, and education, and renew our commitment to shaping a more inclusive and equitable future in physics. Together with our partners, allies, and the next generation of physicists, we look forward to the next 20 years of breaking barriers, inspiring young minds, and driving innovation through diversity.<\/p>

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInternational Women's Day 2025 Webinar<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

For International Women’s Day 2025, WiPiSA hosted a webinar with partners from Kenya and Botswana titled: “Inspire Inclusion: A Global Dialogue on Mentorship and Empowering Women in Science.” Facilitated by our Chairperson Dr Katekani Shingange, the panelists included Ms Tlamelo Makati (Botswana), Dr Beauty Shibiri (South Africa) and Dr Pamella Kilavi (Kenya).<\/p>\n

The webinar aimed to address the challenges faced by women in physics, strategies for overcoming biases, and ways to uplift the next generation of female physicists. It will emphasised the importance of creating an inclusive environment and highlight the role of collaboration with male allies in accelerating action towards a more equitable field.<\/p>\n

The webinar explored how mentorship can support women in science. Panelists shared personal experiences and highlighted the importance of tailored mentorship programs that address systemic biases, work-life balance, and visibility. Discussions emphasized curriculum development, outreach to schools, and using media to inspire young girls. Key challenges identified included stereotypes, exclusion from networks, and unequal opportunities, while proposed solutions involved institutional policies on bias, flexible work structures, and stronger mentorship networks. The session concluded with calls for collective effort, male allyship, and creating more accessible opportunities for women in physics and STEM.<\/p>\n

The webinar took place 03 April 2025, 12:00-1300pm SAST.<\/p>\n

Recording of the webinar is available here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWiPiSA Youth Month Webinar<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

In celebration of Youth Month, WiPiSA hosted a special webinar titled: “Young Women in Physics: Insights, Aspirations, Challenges, and Representation”. The panel featured inspiring young professionals and emerging voices in our field who shared their aspirations and challenges as they navigate through the physical sciences spaces. Whether you are early in your career or an established professional, the space was a valuable platform for reflection, connection, and celebration.<\/p>

Facilitated by WiPiSA ExCo member Ms Tebogo Ledwaba, the panelists were PhD candidates Dimakatso Maheso from North West University, Anneke Erasmus from Stellenbosch and Mamonamane Mphahlele from University of Limpopo. The discussions reflected on success as a mix of personal fulfillment, professional recognition, and representation. Panelists discussed breakthroughs in clean energy, health, and astrophysics, showcasing their research and its societal impact. They highlighted challenges of underrepresentation and stressed the need for female role models, mentorship, and early encouragement in schools. Mental health and academic balance were addressed, with strategies like support systems, boundaries, and self-care emphasised. Finally, the discussion focused on empowering women in South African STEM through outreach, mentorship, resilience, and practical advice for navigating academic and professional pathways.<\/p>

The webinar took place 26 June 2025, 11:00am-12:00pm SAST<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWiPiSA Special Panel Discussion @ SAIP 2025<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

In celebration of 20 years of Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA), we celebrated this milestone achievement at the 69th Annual South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) Conference 2025 with a special panel discussion, our usual plenary session and the WiPiSA lunch.<\/p>

The special panel discussion reflected on the strides made in advancing gender equity in the field, shared inspiring stories, and explored the road ahead for women in physics. A powerful milestone marking 20 years of impact, advocacy, and transformation.<\/p>

To commemorate this special gathering, an official of WIPISA Portrait 2025 was captured. Celebrating 20 years of Women in Physics in South Africa.\u00a0This portrait honours the trailblazers, mentors, and emerging voices who continue to shape the future of physics through representation, resilience, and excellence.<\/p>

Here\u2019s to 20 years of breaking barriers, and the many more to come.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWiPiSA Plenary @SAIP 2025<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

This year\u2019s WiPiSA plenary at the Annual SAIP Conference featured Dr Yaseera Ismail<\/strong>, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University and head of the QuPhotonics Lab. Dr Ismail is an experimental physicist whose research focuses on developing quantum optical tools to advance free-space, long-range secure quantum communication.<\/p>

Her career is distinguished by several prestigious recognitions: in 2016, she received the TechWomen Emerging Leader Award; in 2018, she was named an Optica Ambassador; and she currently serves as an Optica-appointed Vice President on the International Commission for Optics. She also chairs both Optica\u2019s Theodor W. H\u00e4nsch Prize in Quantum Optics and the ICO\u2013IUPAP Young Scientists Prize in Optics.<\/p>

Dr Ismail is a fellow of the DHET Future Professor Program, and in 2024, she was inaugurated into the South African Young Academy of Sciences. Her plenary address highlighted the cutting-edge developments in quantum optics, inspiring discussions on the intersection of fundamental physics and emerging technologies.<\/p>

More info here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWiPiSA 20th Anniversary Roundtable<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

WiPiSA 20th Anniversary Roundtable \u2013 Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future<\/strong><\/p>

As part of this year\u2019s Women\u2019s Month commemorations and in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Women in Physics South Africa (WiPiSA), a special roundtable was held on 28 August 2025<\/strong> via Zoom. The event brought together leading voices from the South African physics community – including representatives from the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP), past and current SAIP presidents, WiPiSA founders, Council members, and allies – to reflect on two decades of progress and chart a path forward for women in physics.<\/p>

Highlights<\/strong><\/h3>

The roundtable celebrated WiPiSA\u2019s evolution and its impact on advancing the participation and leadership of women in physics over the past 20 years. Participants discussed:<\/p>