Road construction foreman Molekwa: ‘Not only am I good at what I do, I know my story’

What comes to mind when you hear the words “roads foreman”? A man’s work, physically demanding, coupled with a more masculine image and working in dirt most of the time.

Well, contrary to popular belief, 35-year-old Aretha Molekwa is the complete opposite of this, both literally and figuratively with her petite physique. The fearlessness and ease Molekwa exudes is palpable – despite working in a male-dominated industry: construction and engineering.

“I remember when they introduced me to the team and the boss said ‘guys, this is Aretha and she’ll be the head of the crew’, everyone turned around and said who, where?” she recalls.

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“They kept looking at the door like they were waiting for someone else. Since the position I was filling was previously held by an older white man, they were all in disbelief. But even after all of that, I believe they’ve seen I’ve earned my place and earned respect, because not only am I good at what I do, but I know my story and know my job.”

‘Different’

Born in Ga-Mothapo, Polokwane, and raised in Ga-Rankuwa, northwest of Pretoria, Molekwa has always been told she was different … intrigued and fascinated by infrastructure, “the finished product” and the construction process behind it.

“I don’t know if I’d say it’s the love of geography, but it has always fascinated me. I could have maybe done environmental geology but this was my first love and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” she says with a slight grin on her face.

“When we’d travel to Polokwane to visit our grandparents, there was always new construction going on and I’d be fascinated by the size of the cranes and other machines they were using.”

Molekwa began her career in her early 20s, progressing from a general trainee, to equipment operator, to foreman in just five years. Today, she leads crews at the Kruger National Park maintaining, assessing and repairing roads and infrastructure.

First construction job

“I started my first construction job shortly after graduating from Vaal University of Technology and I’ve never looked back… I just love seeing the transformation of things. You can literally move mountains,” she says.

However, thriving fearlessly in her career and being a leader to her team has never stopped Molekwa from making time for family and gardening, “which is how I unwind”.

Known to family and friends as Madira, Molekwa says: “I was raised by wonderful people. My grandparents and parents were all family orientated and they’ve taught us to work hard but also have time for family, because when you are home, family will fill the house with love, laughter and fun.

“If I’m not working, you’re most likely to catch me pushing a wheelbarrow full of sand and soil to my garden than cooking, or even playing with my two girls, Paballo and Khethego,” she chuckles.

She says gardening is a great way to ease anxiety and let go of all the stresses from work before even engaging with family.

“It’s something where I don’t have to think too much about everything going on in my life,” she says. “I could just sit down and put my hands in some dirt.”

Molekwa says jogging and gardening have become a healthy escape for her.

“Almost every Saturday morning I’d see my mom put on a hat and go out into her garden for hours. Studies have shown spending time around plants boosts your mood,” she says.

“Sometimes we’d come out and help her and that’s where my love for gardening came from. Because after some time, I realised how therapeutic it became for me.”

With a big smile of contentment and boasting about her garden, she says: “I recently got bamboos and I put them in little flower pots. I can’t wait to see how they grow, but I also have aloes.

“I love palms, the areca palm, royal palm, those are my most favourite flowers.”

‘More women in construction’

Looking to the future, Molekwa says she hopes to encourage more women to explore this kind of career path.

“I want to see an increase of women in male-dominated industries,” she says. “I want to see more women in these roles. That is just so encouraging when you see a woman doing it. You think, why can I not do that too?

“I want young women entering the industry to have confidence in themselves. Unfortunately, a woman may have to prove herself at times more than a man would have to, but they must accept the challenge, show that they know their stuff and they must not give up.”

– reitumetsem@citizen.co.za