Cape town: As South Africa marks Women's Month, the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) offer a powerful reminder of the important role women continue to play in shaping the country's future. Across laboratories, universities, hospitals, research institutions, and technology companies, South African women are making significant contributions to scientific discovery, innovation, and the development of solutions that improve lives.
According to South African Government News Agency, one example is Professor Liesl Zhlke, whose recent international recognition highlights the calibre of women scientists emerging from South Africa. Zhlke, a paediatric cardiologist and researcher at the University of Cape Town, was named the 2026 laureate for Africa and the Arab States in the prestigious L'Or©al-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. She was officially honoured at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 11 June 2026.
Her work focuses on cardiovascular diseases in children, including rheumatic heart disease, a preventable condition that continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. Her research demonstrates how scientific excellence can be translated into practical interventions that improve healthcare and save lives. Zhlke is also Vice-President of the South African Medical Research Council's Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio, Director of the Children's Heart Disease Research Unit at UCT, and a paediatric cardiologist at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.
Her research extends beyond rheumatic and congenital heart disease to areas including HIV among adolescents and cardiac disease in women of childbearing age. Her achievements have earned her numerous national and international accolades, including the 2023 South African Women in Science Award and recognition as one of the leading international scholars in rheumatic heart disease research.
Her journey is part of a much broader story of women who are helping to advance South Africa's scientific and technological landscape. From medical research and engineering to information technology, environmental science, astronomy, and biotechnology, women are increasingly contributing to fields that have historically been dominated by men.
The growing visibility of women scientists is also important for the next generation. Recognition at the highest levels of science provides young girls with role models who demonstrate that careers in STEM are not only possible, but can have a meaningful impact on society. For South Africa, investing in women in science and technology is about more than celebrating individual achievements. It is about creating opportunities for women to participate fully in research, innovation, and decision-making, while ensuring that the country's scientific talent reflects the diversity of its population.
As Women's Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality, the achievements of scientists such as Professor Zhlke demonstrate the strides South African women are making in STEM. Their contributions serve as a reminder that when women are given the opportunity, resources, and support to pursue scientific careers, they can help solve some of society's most pressing challenges and contribute to a stronger, healthier, and more innovative South Africa.
