University of Cape Town

Jacques Rousseau teaches critical thinking and ethics in UCT’s School of Management Studies, and is the chairperson of the Free Society Institute, a secular humanist non-profit organisation. He has been on the academic staff since 2001, during which time he has chaired the Academic Freedom Committee, and has also served, or is serving, on various committees including Senate and the Senate Executive Committee.

Maboletso Letsoalo is currently a master’s student in computational health informatics, with an academic foundation in human physiology, genetics, psychology (BSc, University of Pretoria) and bioinformatics (BMedSc Hons, University of Cape Town). Her primary research interest lies in multi-omics research, a rapidly evolving approach that leverages diverse biological data types to drive novel discoveries, enhance diagnostic precision, and address urgent clinical needs.

Takalani Makhwathana is a fourth-year MBChB student at the University of Cape Town, with a strong academic interest in public health, preventative medicine, and rural healthcare. Driven by a commitment to health equity, Takalani’s long-term goal is to contribute to public health research that addresses the root causes of illness and helps shift the healthcare system’s focus from curative to preventative care, particularly within underserved communities.