As women, we have to work 10 times harder for respect and recognition.

For Nonhlanhla “Nonny” Vilakazi, being able to pay it forward is what she values most about her profession. “Giving back to the community by exposing young kids, from previously disadvantaged areas especially, to the world of palaeosciences — and showing them that they, too, can achieve the seemingly impossible — is the greatest reward for me.”

Raised in Soweto’s Mofolo Central suburb, the 37-year-old obtained her PhD in palaeontology from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her chosen career path is something she attributes to the women who raised her.

“They were strong, independent women who not only instilled discipline in me, but also made me believe in myself. They taught me that, through hard work and determination, I could be anything I aspire to be. This made me choose a path less travelled by women. By doing so, it shows that women have what it takes to be researchers and scientists too,” she says.

Choosing the proverbial road less travelled has seen her clinch the University of Pretoria’s 2015 Best Second-Year Archaeology Lecturer award. Her achievements are made all the more notable, given that, as she says, “the palaeosciences are perceived as a ‘gentlemen’s club’.”

“This makes it hard for women to be taken seriously and respected as researchers. As women, we have to work 10 times harder for respect and recognition.”

The push for respect and recognition might be tough, but it yields some rewards. “Being able to make a difference in the community, seeing my students taking an interest in the palaeosciences, and having students who want to pursue a career in palaeontology and/or archaeology is my greatest achievement to date.

“We need to break these barriers, and open up these spaces so that the younger ones do not struggle as we did,” she says. “We need to empower one another by giving back to the community and run mentorship programs.”

Of particular importance to Vilakazi is the educating — and, by extension, empowerment — of young women. “You educate a woman, you educate a generation,” she smiles.

— Carl Collison

Twitter: @NonnyVilakazi