For Dr Babalwa Tyabashe-Phume, social justice is not an abstract ideal—it is the foundation of meaningful scholarship. As a lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Community Development at the University of Johannesburg, she is preparing the next generation of social workers to challenge inequality, uphold human dignity and advocate for society's most vulnerable. Holding a PhD in Psychiatry, Tyabashe-Phume combines teaching, research and advocacy to address some of South Africa's most pressing social issues. Her work seeks not only to generate knowledge but to influence policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion. In 2025, she was selected as one of just nine young scientists to represent South Africa at the 10th BRICS Young Scientists Forum in Brazil.