Celebrating 20 Years of Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA)
This year (2025) marks a remarkable milestone – 20 years of Women in Physics South Africa (WiPiSA)! 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.
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.
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.
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.
To commemorate this special gathering, an official of WIPISA Portrait 2025 was captured. Celebrating 20 years of Women in Physics in South Africa. This portrait honours the trailblazers, mentors, and emerging voices who continue to shape the future of physics through representation, resilience, and excellence.
Here’s to 20 years of breaking barriers, and the many more to come.
This year’s WiPiSA plenary at the Annual SAIP Conference featured Dr Yaseera Ismail, 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.
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’s Theodor W. Hänsch Prize in Quantum Optics and the ICO–IUPAP Young Scientists Prize in Optics.
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.
More info here.
WiPiSA 20th Anniversary Roundtable – Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future
As part of this year’s Women’s 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 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.
Highlights
The roundtable celebrated WiPiSA’s evolution and its impact on advancing the participation and leadership of women in physics over the past 20 years. Participants discussed:
Progress in research and leadership – with a marked increase in women pursuing physics careers, leading research groups, and contributing to national and international physics communities.
Strategies for greater gender inclusivity – covering mentorship, education pathways, outreach to young girls, cultural shifts within institutions, and improved policies on promotions and leave.
Institutional and structural challenges – including the need for advocacy on maternity and family leave, equitable promotion policies, and sustainable volunteer engagement.
Future directions – emphasising momentum, engaging younger generations, addressing the “leaky pipeline,” strengthening WiPiSA’s presence across universities, and fostering stronger links with industry and international partners.
Celebrating 20 Years of Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA)
As part of the celebrations marking 20 years of Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA), Physics Departments across South African universities were invited to submit proposals for inter-university joint lunches. These gatherings aimed to bring together women in physics — including students, early-career researchers, academics, and allies — to celebrate this milestone, strengthen connections, and foster collaboration within the physics community.
The initiative provided an opportunity for meaningful engagement, networking, and discussions around advancing the participation and leadership of women in physics, while acknowledging the contributions made over the past two decades.
Below is the list of Institutions that were supported:
- UKZN and UNIZULU
- Stellenbosch and UWC
- UCT and iThemba LABS
- Univen and UL
- Wits and Mintek
