Wanted Online: Dr Judy Dlamini and Prof. Ncoza Dlova lift while they rise

JD: People always think giving is about money, but you’ve shown that yes, money is important, but so are empowering people, investing in their education, investing in changing the status quo. During your deanship, the number of African heads of department has increased, registrar intake has increased, first-year MBChB numbers have increased. You’ve also changed dermatology in the sense that you started the African Women’s Dermatology Society. And you started continental grand rounds during Covid. Why was this important to you?

ND: One has to use one’s power to empower others, to make a difference to other people. I realised that, in dermatology, we really need to develop more research. I used my skills, as well as my local and international networks, to influence that change. That’s where transformational leadership comes in, because you do things to make a difference. In Africa, there’s a shortage of dermatologists, with one dermatologist to about 200 000 people in South Africa. In other countries it’s even worse. So why don’t we have continental grand rounds where we share clinical cases and management and therapeutics? These continental grand rounds are now supported by industry. They are so popular, we have 200 or so dermatologists from all over Africa and sometimes from Harvard and the Mayo Clinic joining us. And we’ve started a bursary fund for medical students who have historical debt because, in KZN, I’d say 60% of our medical students are from really disadvantaged backgrounds. I’m trying to tap into my networks, the people who know what I stand for, because they know that that money will be put to good use. And that’s what everyone should do in positions of power. Use the power in a constructive, productive manner. Now it’s your turn, Judy the medical doctor, Judy the business woman, the author, the philanthropist, the aspiring teacher, the academic. Which one of these titles resonates with you?

JD: Each one of them is a part of who I am. You look around you and see people who look like you not ascending to their potential. And you say, “I have to try and do as much as possible.” So I find that my purpose is to empower as I go along. It is to make a difference, but also to show that Black women can achieve. All the things we do are important, but I believe that people like us, who’ve had an opportunity and work hard, should show people what is possible.