In this episode of COVID-19 Conversations we are thrilled to hear from a world renowned researcher: the inimitable “Glenda”. Professor Glenda Gray is the President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, and has been one of the most prominent South African public health leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this candid conversation, she walks us through the whirlwind of the last 18 months and talks about how she juggled political drama while also leading a large COVID-19 vaccine trial. Professor Gray tells us what was going through her mind as she stood right behind President Ramaphosa while he rolled up his sleeve to get vaccinated on camera, and describes what it took to make that happen. She also reminisces about working on HIV research and treatment access twenty years ago and shares what lessons we can draw from that experience for our COVID-19 vaccine equity struggle today.
Additional Content:
The mission: How Glenda Gray became 'the closest thing South Africa has to Tony Fauci' (news24 - February 25, 2021)
President Cyril Ramaphosa receives COVID-19 vaccine (eNCA - February 17, 2021)
Glenda Gray #TIME100 (TIME - February 2017)
Guest: Glenda Gray
Producer and Host: Maaza Seyoum
Production & Editing Support: Volume
Executive Producer: Tian Johnson
Queries: info@africanalliance.org.za
