Forestry is her calling
Any woman, or person for that matter, who has made good progress in life, against odds, deserves to be celebrated.
A woman to be celebrated this month is one of the few female forest managers in the province. Besides being in a male dominated industry, Nondumiso Kheswa (36) of the Berlin Plantation in Kaapsehoop upholds her position with dignity and pride.
Mpumalanga News brings you an exclusive interview with this powerful woman of the woods, Nondumiso Kheswa. 
Briefly tell us about yourself.
I am Nondumiso Kheswa, a 36-year-old female plantation manager at the South African Forestry Company SOC Limited (Safcol) for the past seven years. I am a proud single mother of two, an eight-year-old son and a six-month-old daughter.
What were your highlights in life and when was your lowest point? How did you deal with them?
My greatest achievement was being appointed as the second black female plantation manager of Safcol in 2014 and this was announced in the 2015 Budget Speech in parliament as an achievement for the Department of Public Enterprise for transformation in the forestry sector. There is not really a lowest point, but I can mention a few difficulties that I encounter in my day-to-day working environment. The industry was formerly mainly male dominated, and being a pioneer in plantation management, I have had to prove and still have to prove that women can also manage a plantation, in so many ways.
What it take for a person to reach their dreams?
For an individual to realise their dreams, it takes a lot of determination, diligence and consistency. I have learned over the years that hard work does pay off sooner or later. I have to encourage young females with aspirations for career growth to work hard, stay determined and be consistent in excellence.
What is your message to the women of the province?
Always aim to be the best that you can be in anything that you do.
You have been chosen as a woman of valour to be celebrated by the people of Mpumalanga this Women’s Month. What makes anybody worth celebrating?
I am truly honoured to have been nominated to be celebrated during this Women’s Month. I have honestly tried to represent women professionally in the forestry industry, and to date I am still standing against all odds. I highly advocate and encourage women to be the best in the industry. In 2017, I championed a successful mentoring and coaching programme within Safcol and I currently serve as a founding member of an organisation SHE Is Forestry, founded in 2020, aimed at empowering women within the forestry industry. We will be hosting an annual webinar on August 26 to celebrate Women’s Month.
When was your breakthrough in life?
I was very fortunate in that Safcol offered me a bursary to study forestry in the Western Cape in 2004 after matric. I have since grown within the organisation from a student to the plantation manager today.
What is it you want the government to do to change or improve the lives of women and girls in the province?
We are engulfed by numerous incidents of gender-based violence. I would like for our government to increase focus on the area, especially practical and meaningful interventions. We unfortunately cannot place the task on government alone, but sometimes our choices in life can make a difference.
