When the Code Speaks

What does personalised medicine actually feel like when you’re the person living with a rare disease? In this episode of When the Code Speaks, we step away from the science and systems of genomic medicine and into the lived experiences of Marc Bulman and Kate Olivier, two UCT students navigating their own health journeys. We talk about diagnosis, uncertainty, searching for answers, navigating heal...

Good science communication can be the difference between information being understood and information being lost. This episode explores the role of clear, accessible and compassionate communication in improving care for people living with rare and complex conditions, and in helping patients and families navigate healthcare systems. We discuss why communicating science is not just about sharing kno...

Patient advocacy and effective communication are fundamental to shaping the future of genomic medicine. In this episode, we explore how advocacy organisations support individuals and families affected by rare diseases, foster collaboration between patients, researchers and clinicians, and help drive more equitable, patient-centred healthcare in South Africa. We also discuss why communication shoul...

As genomic medicine continues to evolve, so too must the workforce that will deliver it. In this episode of When the Code Speaks, we are joined by Prof Jeannine Heckmann, Dr Tarin Europa and Mr Waheed Amanjee to discuss the importance of education, training and capacity building in shaping the future of genomic medicine in South Africa. Together, we explore the skills needed for the next generatio...

What does it actually take to generate high-quality genomic data? In this episode of When the Code Speaks, we go behind the scenes of genomic sequencing to explore the technologies, laboratories and infrastructure that make precision medicine possible. Joined by our guests, we discuss the journey from sample to sequence, the challenges of establishing and sustaining sequencing capacity in South Af...

As genomic medicine advances, questions around consent, data sharing, ownership and trust are becoming increasingly important. In this episode of When the Code Speaks, we are joined by Prof Jantina de Vries and Dr Melissa Nel to explore the ethical and governance challenges that sit at the heart of genomic research. Together, we discuss what responsible data stewardship looks like in an African co...

When most people think about genomic medicine, they think about patients, doctors, or DNA sequencing. But what happens after the data is generated? In this episode of When the Code Speaks, we sit down with Gideon A. Wiafe and Dr Armin Deffur to explore the world of bioinformatics; the field that transforms vast amounts of genomic data into meaningful insights that can inform research, diagnosis an...

This episode of When the Code Speaks explores what happens when genomic data meets real clinical decision-making. Joined by Prof Alina Esterhuizen, Prof Jo Wilmshurst and Prof Karen Fieggen, this conversation unpacks the challenges of interpreting genetic findings in South Africa’s healthcare landscape — from diagnostic uncertainty and multidisciplinary collaboration to the realities of integratin...

In Episode 1 of When the Code Speaks, we explore the evolving role of genetic counsellors in South Africa’s genomic medicine landscape — from supporting patients and families through difficult diagnoses to contributing to variant interpretation, research and multidisciplinary care. Joined by Nakita Laing, Nabeelah Peerbhai and Zandre Bruwer, this conversation unpacks the human side of genomic medi...