Local women taking over male dominated industries
Gone is the era where a woman's place is only in the kitchen, more and more females are breaking grounds in different industries.
The Herald spoke to four local women who are thriving in male-dominated fields. According to an article in Infrastructure News in 2020, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) declared that 48% of South Africa’s construction companies are owned by women!
Shandi Matwalana is the founder of a local construction company, Andzisa Nsovo Corporation & Projects that specialises in projects from small, to big, projects.
She told the Herald that there are many opportunities for females in the industry and in order to make it, women need to have confidence in their abilities.
“As much as other clients are happy to work with a woman, some still try to undermine you.
“However that should not be something that stops you from attaining your goals,” she said.
Matwalana is from Nkowankowa but is currently based in Pretoria for work purposes.
Michelle Elliot, is an agricultural engineer for Komati Group and has been working for the local farming giant for the past two years.
Elliot says that her industry is still male dominated in management positions and females are mostly pickers or administration personnel.
Her job entails pointing out various problems and at the same time providing solutions, using new technological methods.
“The agricultural field is now merging the old way of farming with the new modern techniques.
“I have been very fortunate to work with people who believe in my abilities as a young female agriculturist,” she explained.
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Fortunate Ngobeni is a 29-year-old national soccer referee from N’wamitwa outside Tzaneen.
Her love for football started from a young age, first as a player and later went on to refereeing.
“Female referees are still being treated differently from their male counterparts.
“We are sometimes undermined and intimidated, but that has encouraged me to stand my ground,” she explained.
Salome Loucao started riding motorbikes with the boys from a young age while growing up.
Her passion for speed and bikes grew to a point where she started doing off-road competitions and endurance races.
“My look can be deceiving; during the week I put on high heels and on weekends I trade them for biker boots.
“I enjoy adventure and love every minute of it,” stated Loucao.
She said young girls should never allow their gender to deter them from achieving their wildest dreams.
