A Stellenbosch University (SU) lecturer was recently included in the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2022 list for her work as a genetic counsellor.
“When I first saw my name on the website, I was quite shocked and reloaded the page just to confirm,” stated Malebo Malope, who works in the division of molecular biology and human genetics at SU. “I was filled with excitement and gratitude, so I said a little prayer of thanks before calling my family to inform them and share the excitement.”
“I hope to see the profession grow, especially into the provinces without genetic services, and have more jobs available for genetic counsellors within the country,” said Malebo Malope, a lecturer in the medical genetics and genetic counselling unit within the division of molecular biology and human genetics at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Supplied/Malebo Malope
The list includes people who use “a vast array of tools including technology, artificial intelligence and traditional forms of communication to create inclusive, sustainable spaces that will change our future for the better,” according to the 200 Young South Africans website. The list was released on 10 August.
SU is very proud of Malope’s inclusion in this prestigious annual list, stated Prof Wim de Villiers, rector and vice-chancellor of SU, in written correspondence with MatieMedia.
“As a lecturer she has made significant contributions to our clinical unit for medical genetics and genetic counselling and embodies the values of our institution,” said De Villiers.
“She’s breaking boundaries and is an inspirational figure for the next generation of scientists,” added De Villiers.
What is genetic counselling?
“Genetic counselling is a healthcare specialisation where the genetic counsellor has specialised training in medical genetics and counselling,” explained Malope.
In genetic counselling, clients are helped to understand and adapt to the medical, psychosocial, and familial implications of a disease, stated Malope.
“The medical aspects involve discussing the condition, the underlying genetic cause, available options and recurrence risks,” said Malope.
“My clinical role involves providing genetic counselling to patients mainly in the prenatal setting and the clinical training involves supervising and providing feedback to genetic counselling interns and students,” stated Malebo Malope, a lecturer in the medical genetics and genetic counselling unit within the division of molecular biology and human genetics at Stellenbosch University. GRAPHIC: Liam Abercrombie
Looking ahead
With the exposure that comes from her inclusion on the list, Malope hopes to create a change by increasing education on genetic counselling and genetic conditions.
“Hopefully an increased demand will result in an increase in the number of genetic counselling job positions in state hospitals across the country,” stated Malope.
Malope also does genetic counselling and clinical training at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town.
“I actually never thought awards like these were in the pipeline for me or others within my profession,” stated Malebo Malope, lecturer in the medical genetics and genetic counselling unit within the division of molecular biology and human genetics at Stellenbosch University. Malope explained that genetic counselling is not a well-known field. PHOTO: Liam Abercrombie
“She does genetic counselling work in the hospital and is developing our genetics teaching programs, including for undergraduate medical students,” stated Prof Micheal Urban, head of the clinical unit of medical genetics and genetic counselling at Tygerberg Hospital and SU, in written correspondence with MatieMedia.
Malope uses every opportunity to learn new teaching techniques and implements them in the program, said Urban. “She has taken an old-style lecture-based program and given it a cutting-edge blended learning approach. This has resulted in very positive reviews from colleagues and students alike,” stated Urban.
“She fully deserves to be on the Mail & Guardian list of 200 Young South Africans 2022,” said Urban. “I think she will have an important role in the future of genetics in South Africa and the African continent more broadly.”