09/08/2026
This Women's Day, we celebrate women who are not only breaking barriers, but rebuilding systems for generations to come. As the recipient of the Dr Clarence Mini Titanium Award for Young Achiever, Dr Aayesha Soni represents a new generation of healthcare leaders whose impact reaches far beyond individual patient care.
As South Africa's first female adult epileptologist, she has pioneered the country's first adult epilepsy surgery service in the public sector, introduced expertise previously unavailable in sub-Saharan Africa, and is leading efforts to establish sustainable epilepsy surgery programmes that can be replicated across the country. Through the RISE Initiative, she has brought together specialists, hospitals and humanitarian organisations to create a collaborative model that expands access to life-changing treatment for patients who would otherwise have none.
Her work is shaping healthcare at every level, advancing clinical research, influencing international guidelines for resource-limited settings, mentoring the next generation of neurologists, and proving that innovation and equity can go hand in hand.
This Women's Day, we celebrate a leader whose vision extends beyond today's patients to the future of healthcare itself. Congratulations, Dr Soni, on this well-deserved recognition. Your leadership is transforming lives, strengthening healthcare systems and inspiring the next generation of women to lead with purpose.
