NWU alumna elected as president of Women in Nuclear South Africa
On 7 August 2020, North-West University (NWU) alumna Tebogo Motlhabane was announced as the newly elected president of Women in Nuclear South Africa (WiNSA).
Motlhabane, a scientist from the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute, is taking over the reins from Eskom’s senior quality assurance advisor Nomathemba Radebe, who served as the president from 2015.
The online election polls opened on 30 July during a virtual special Annual General Meeting and more than 100 WiNSA members participated in the elections.
More about Motlhabane
Motlhabane obtained a BSc and master’s degree in applied radiation science and technology from the NWU.
She has been working in the nuclear sector for more than 16 years. Her work experience includes a stint at the National Nuclear Regulator, AngloGold Ashanti, Malepa Holdings, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Motlhabane also served on the executive committee of the Southern African Radiation Protection Association.
“When I graduated with my master’s degree, I felt one overwhelming feeling – pride,” she says.
“Not only was I proud to obtain a qualification in a unique area, but I was also delighted to know that I was adding my name to the small number of female scientists.
“Women are still far from being adequately represented in the nuclear field. I see this as an opportunity for me to encourage young women to consider a career in nuclear science and technology,” she adds.
Motlhabane’s appointment as WiNSA president came at the right time, as South Africa is celebrating Women’s Month this August under the global theme: “Generation Equality: Realising women’s rights for an equal future”.
“I believe generation equality is a general call to increase efforts in addressing the underrepresentation of women at different levels in organisations, and more specifically to achieve gender transformation in the nuclear sector,” says Motlhabane.
About WiNSA
WiNSA is a non-profit organisation for women in the nuclear industry. It was launched in 2003 with the aim to promote meaningful participation of women in the fields of nuclear technology, safety and non-proliferation.
The organisation has more than 1 000 registered members from different organisations within the nuclear industry. These include the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, Eskom, the National Nuclear Regulator, the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute, iThemba Labs, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and private organisations such as Mzansi Energy Solutions.
Contact person: Phenyo Mokgothu
Contact details: [email protected].