University of the Western Cape

Thank you so much for explaining all of this.

It's so important, Dr. Jean Redpath, Senior Researcher at the Dalla Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape.

I was actually shocked by that line about how easy it is to become a ward representative, a ward counsellor.

You just need 50 people to sign up to say that they'll support you.

A Kaeli Chabon scientist is being recognized for her research in green nanotechnology.

The University of Western Cape says Professor Nfaneluwa Ngegle-Ajai's journey from growing up in the township to becoming a leading scientist demonstrates the power of education, mentorship and community support.

Ngegle-Ajai's research focuses on green nanotechnology, including drug metabolism sensors, water purification and technologies aimed at combatting harmful microbes.

She also promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in disadvantaged communities, drawing on the support she received from her family, teachers and mentors throughout her own journey.

She actually helped s- uh, South Africa write the Constitution.

She worked for the ANC n- at the time, at the University of the Western Cape.

They weren't in power yet.

Okay.

Unfortunately, one of them towards the end of my PhD could no longer continue the journey in an official capacity, but she remained there as an advisor.

And so My three supervisors were Professor Tamara Sheffa, as you mentioned, Professor Sissan Kabaza, who is currently the HOD of the department that I studied my PhD in at the University of Western Cape.

And then also the prolific Professor Desiree Lewis.

I think all of these, if you just look them up, they are almost canonical when it comes to feminist research and research concerning women and queer LGBTQI plus people, And so when I approached them with the PhD, they were excited.

We continue our conversation this afternoon and now I will be in conversation with Professor Fiona Anciano.

She's a professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of the Western Cape.

Now, I met Fiona last week and she was speaking to me about.

the citizens assembly and I was like okay tell me more and in fact she was saying how they bring people from across Cape Town together to talk about various issues and last week they spoke about transport and climate change and she also lamented the fact that there's no media coverage no one is covering this and people should know about the citizens assembly and now I am in conversation with Fiona good afternoon Fiona and thank you so much for joining us Hi, good afternoon, Crystal.

of view.

I'm in conversation with Professor Fiona Angiano.

She is from the University of the Western Cape, and we are talking about the Citizens Assembly, which different Capetonians have come together.

They'll be meeting over the next few weeks.

He's been a heritage activist.

He has a master's degree at the University of the Western Cape.

He has been the recipient of the National Heritage Awards and has been recognized for his role in reviving and writing about the endangered history of of the helderberg particularly when it comes to the muslim community the the story of slavery to to citizenship but it's not just strand that we're talking about somerset west luanle numzamo fur growth wraithby macasa salaris boss village It is a diverse community with different pasts, but also similar heritages.

And he's joining me on the line from FirGrowth.

And I have the wonderful privilege of being in conversation with Kirsten Dean, lead editor of English Alive, South Africa's oldest publication for high school students and a disability awareness activist.

She holds a master's in creative writing from the University of the Western Cape, has been published nationally and internationally and and runs creative writing workshops at children's homes.

Her debut collection, Disability But, was released in April 2026 by Umhlanga Press.

Kirsten, how are you? Open Book Festival!