Prof Pamela Naidoo on Reclaiming Wellness: Healing the Mind, Heart, and Body

South African women are currently facing a silent health crisis as they navigate daily challenges such as caregiving, work pressures, and systemic inequality, they are increasingly at risk of heart disease, burnout, and mental illness.

Unfortunately, these conditions are often misdiagnosed, dismissed, or concealed beneath layers of cultural silence and survival. On Saturday, 30 August 2025, the Women’s Wellness Experience will bring these critical issues to the forefront at Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa in Cape Town. The headline speaker will be Professor Pamela Naidoo, a globally recognised expert in clinical psychology, behavioural medicine, and public health.

With over 30 years of research and policy experience, Prof Naidoo notonly brings evidence but also empathy to a conversation that is long overdue. “Women are taught to keep going - at any cost,” says Prof Naidoo. “But the cost is evident in their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, anxiety, and exhaustion. We must stop calling this strength; it’s sacrifice.” Her keynote address will explore the overlooked connection between mental stress and physical illness, particularly in women over 40.

Many women do not realise that menopause, compounded stress, and lifestyle factors significantly increase their risk of stroke and heart disease. Alarmingly, awareness of these risks remains low. “Heart disease is still framed as a ‘man’s issue,’” she notes. “That misconception is dangerous. Women often ignore symptoms or delay seeking care until it’s too late.”

Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of psychology and public health, Prof Naidoo will unpack how stigma, lack of access, and misinformation hinder women from seeking the support they need. She will also share practical strategies for prevention, covering early detection, lifestyle medicine, and mental wellness tools that are both affordable and accessible. The Women's Wellness Experience is set to be more than just an informational session; it aims to foster a community of support and connection.

Attendees can look forward to a day filled with honest conversations, engaging activities, thoughtful self-care opportunities, luxury goodie bags and the chance to win over R20 000 worth of prizes. With tickets priced at R320 for early bird access, attendees are encouraged to book their spots through  Quicket  to ensure their participation in this transformative experience.

The Women’s Wellness Experience invites women of all life stages to pause, reflect, and reimagine what wellbeing truly means. This is not just an event; itis a moment of reconnection, led by one of South Africa’s most trusted voices in health.

Weekend Argus