Special features

The Networking Woman

Dr Choonara’s empathetic outlook and passion for public healthcare have been shaped by her own experience. Driven by an interest in creating systems that take the human experience into account, Johannesburg-based Dr Shakira Choonara believes healthcare should focus on a community’s social needs as much as it does on medical skills. She is an independent […]

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Global Health: all eyes on COVID-19

South Africans recently received the news that the lockdown has been extended for another two weeks. Although frustrating, it’s a necessary measure when our lives are at risk. As of 10 April 2020, COVID-19 has infected more than one and a half million people worldwide and lockdowns have proved effective in reducing the spread. “In […]

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O Bohlokwa, You are worthy

Dr. Shakira Choonra considers herself to be an ordinary individual with huge dreams and aspirations for the world! She is an African Union Youth Advisory Council Member. What do you do? I try to make the world a better place in anything that I do, whether it’s something small and minuscule in the way I […]

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Inspiration Couch features Dr. Shakira Choonara

On the couch today, we have Dr. Shakira Choonara. She is an award winning health researcher, bold activist and was named South Africa’s Woman of the Year in Health in 2017. Dr. Shakira is part of African Union Commission Youth Advisory Council and is a promising entrepreneur, the founder and CEO of Global Impact Solutions […]

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My NRF Story: Dr Shakira Choonara

Dr Shakira Choonara, African Union Youth Advisory Council Field of research/study Public Health How was the NRF involved in your studies/career? Being from a disadvantaged background, without the support of the NRF I would not have been appointed to my first job as an intern or had support for postgraduate studies, i.e. to reach and […]

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Witsie set to fly SA flag high at AU Youth Council

Dr Shakira Choonara is among eight young leaders from across Africa appointed to the inaugural African Union (AU) Youth Advisory Council. Choonara, a research fellow in the Wits School of Public Health will fly the South African flag high as the only representative from the country to be appointed as a member of the council. […]

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Eight young leaders, across the African continent will form part of the inaugural African Union Youth Advisory Council.

Eight young leaders, from across the African continent will form part of the inaugural African Union Youth Advisory Council. Among those selected during the prestigious appointments is South Africa’s very own Dr. Shakira Choonara.The 29-year-old Choonara will fly the South African flag high, being the only representative from the country where she has been appointed […]

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