This week on Womanity – Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Associate Professor Mathabatha Evodia Setati, Co-Director of the African Microbiome Institute and a leading researcher at the South African Grape and Wine Research Institute at Stellenbosch University.

Professor Setati opens a window into the invisible universe of microbes—organisms we can’t see, but which shape nearly every aspect of life on Earth. From fermentation in winemaking to soil health and human digestion, her research explores the delicate microbial ecosystems that underpin our food systems, health, and the environment. She explains how viticulture, biotechnology, and microbiology intersect, and how her work contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices and a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with nature.

But this is also a story of personal evolution. Raised in Seshego township in Limpopo, Prof. Setati grew up watching her mother—who had been denied educational opportunities as a child—study tirelessly to earn her qualifications as a teacher. This maternal example of grit and academic determination planted the seeds of a lifelong pursuit of excellence. As the eldest daughter, she internalised the belief that education was not only a tool for empowerment, but also a legacy to uphold and surpass.

Her journey took her across South Africa and the globe, from the University of Limpopo to Stellenbosch and onwards to Sweden, Austria, and Brazil. Yet her early academic path wasn’t always clear—she originally aspired to study medicine, only discovering microbiology through a university course. Once she looked through the microscope, however, she never looked back.

Prof. Setati candidly discusses the challenges of being “the only Black woman in the room” throughout much of her academic career—and how that very isolation became a motivator to break barriers and set an example for others. Her fierce commitment to hard work, independence, and high standards led her to excel not only for herself but as a standard-bearer for those who would follow.

A passionate advocate for science education and inclusion, she shares her views on the urgent need to expose young girls—especially in under-resourced communities—to the diverse career paths within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She explains how simple exposure to career possibilities, practical research demonstrations, and school outreach programs can spark imagination and inspire confidence. “Kids don’t dream of careers they’ve never seen,” she says.

She also challenges systemic issues, such as how education policy and the promotion of subjects like mathematics literacy can inadvertently limit children’s futures, especially when universities require more rigorous academic foundations for STEM-related studies.

In her closing words, Prof. Setati encourages girls and young women to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams unapologetically, and not be afraid to ask for support. “Don’t wait for others to validate your success,” she says. “Own your ambitions. Work hard. Trust your instincts. And remember—you are enough.”

This episode is a powerful celebration of science, storytelling, and self-belief—a portrait of a woman who has harnessed the microscopic world to make a massive impact.

Tune in for more.