The inaugural Gauteng Women in Excellence Awards are aimed at celebrating exceptional women. Prof Saloshna Vandeyar from the Department of Humanities Education in the Faculty of Education was named the winner of the Trailblazer Category.

She was recognised for her excellence in research. Her field of research expertise is diversity in education, as well as social, cultural and cognitive justice education and teacher professionalism. Her recent research focused on the construction of identities in the classroom, which includes racial, ethnic, linguistic and gender identities.

She investigates the way in which these identities may help promote social justice through intercultural and cosmopolitan education. She is also involved in projects on the decolonization and Africanization of education. The Trailblazer Category focuses on a female achiever who has broken through the gender role stereotypes in a traditionally male-dominated industry and is an inspiration to young women.

Awards in 12 categories were presented by Gauteng Premier, Mr David Makhura, to the ‘jewels of the province’. He summarised the purpose of the event by saying, ‘These awards are indeed a unique platform that consolidates the incredible work done by Gauteng women through honouring their immense contribution in different fields. We salute you! We celebrate your talent and we honour your passion!’

Exceptional women were recognised for outstanding leadership, inspiration and innovation in organisations, and for shaping the role of women in their individual capacities in the private and public sectors.