outlook| october 2021| connect with us: [email protected]

OUTLOOK| OCTOBER 2021| Connect with us: [email protected]; Facebook: SAICE Durban; Instagram: @SAICE.DBN; LinkedIn: SAICE Durban


Table of Contents PAGE NO

CHAIRPERSON’S CORRAL| Sharon Shunmugam 3

Seen and heard at SAICE Durban’s Women’s Day 4

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR 6

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 6

Speaker: Ms Philile Garnie Mphemba| Marketing and Construction Market Strategist 9

Speaker: Ms Lungi Nyembe 10

Speaker: Ms Upasana Jugroop 11

SAICE DURBAN | Women’s Month 2021 | Blossoms of Civil Engineering | Choose to Challenge Series 12

Allyson Lawless 12

Dr. Michele Kruger 14

Innocentia Mahlangu 15

Naomi Naidoo 16

Axola Qumba 17

Malani Saman Padayachee 17

Nhlamulo Ritshuri 19

Zeenat Ghoor 20

Tasneem Vawda 21

Noqobo Bongoza 22

Sindisiwe Tshabalala 23

Naadiya Goolam Mohamed 24

Kemira Naidoo 26

Yankho Banda 27

Upasana Jugroop 29

Bongi Madlala 29

Mabuyi Mahlanga 31

Jeshika Ramchund 32


CHAIRPERSON’S CORRAL| Sharon

Shunmugam

Women’s Day 2021|

The lady of the manor is the backbone of the house, our

society and today, in our pained country, she is the

cornerstone for healing, for nurturing and for

rebuilding. She can and she will.

In this edition, we celebrate not just how

far women have progressed, but also,

what more they can achieve and how

limitless the possibilities are.

Women are the architects and engineers

that will, without doubt, redirect our

democracy into a fully inclusive and accepting place for

both men and women. A place with aligned and

supportive goals for and with each other.

This edition is dedicated with the most gratitude

possible to each of the sponsors for Women’s Month,

the keynote speakers at the event, the attendees and to

all the prolific women who contributed to our

#ChoosetoChallenge Series.

Our Sponsors


Seen and heard at SAICE Durban’s Women’s Day


PROGRAMME DIRECTOR I Ms Maxine

Jacob

The month of August is

significant because we pay

homage to the thousands of

women that participated in

the 1956 march to the union

buildings.

We also draw attention to

the plight of women to

create a more equal society

and now, because of the

sacrifices and work of those

before us, we are able to

celebrate just how far we have come.

I am completely in awe of the trailblazers in our industry

who have shattered the metaphorical “glass ceiling” and

have taken us a few steps closer to creating a more

diverse and inclusive workforce.

Even though planning for our first in-person event since

the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic was quite a

daunting task, it was indeed an honour to sit amongst

some of our industry giants.

I believe that no matter how many books you read or

presentations you attend, there is no greater teacher

than experience.

This is why we, the younger engineers, should always

look to our seniors to absorb what knowledge we can.

Whilst I recognise that the system remains inherently

flawed and there is still much work to be done to close

the gender gap in civil engineering, events of this nature

serve as a wonderful reminder that there is hope for us

yet… and if there hope, anything is possible. MJ

KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Ms Logashri Sewnarain

(CEO, SMEC SA)

Women's Month in South

Africa continues to be a

powerful month for the

equal rights of women. It is a

time during which we

celebrate the strengths and

resilience of women and

their contribution to society

and remember the

tremendous barriers that

women have overcome. It is

also a time during which we

take stock of the inequalities

that still exist in modern-day society. The glaring reality

that has been highlighted by the COVID 19 pandemic, in

my opinion, is the gap between the women in leadership

and their response during this troubled time.

Looking back a mere quarter-century, inequality

between women and men was widely apparent - in

university classrooms, in the workplace, and even in

homes. Since then, the lives of women and girls around

the world have improved dramatically in many respects.

In most countries - rich and developing - women are

living longer, they're getting better jobs, and they're

acquiring legal rights and protections.

While these may be important markers on the path

toward gender equality, they hardly ensure systematic

progress or tangible benefits for most women. South

Africa's high rates of gender-based violence,

disproportionately high HIV prevalence among women,

and high female unemployment are just a few of the

areas that need greater attention and action.

Another important aspect of gender equality and equal

rights is the representation of women in leadership

positions. In spite of the massive admittance of women

into the workplace and the increasing numbers of

women holding mid-level managerial positions, top-level

leadership positions remain as elusive to women today

as they were more than a decade ago. Despite many

companies saying they have tried their best, they have

failed to provide clear and deliberate succession

planning. The pandemic has also amplified the fragility of

the South African economy as delays in the rollout of

major projects and the shift in funds has prevented

employers from promoting and employing females in

higher occupational levels.

In South Africa, roughly 68% of all senior management

positions are held by men. Only 20,7% of board members

on JSE-listed companies are female, while a significant

proportion of JSE-listed companies have no female board


representation at all. An even more frightening statistic

released by Grant Thornton in 2020, reveals that one in

five local businesses still have no women in senior

positions. As of 2020, women make up 51.2% of the

population and 45% of the economically active

population, but only 20.7% of board members of JSE

listed company boards.

Over the last few decades, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

reported that scientific studies have consistently shown

that women tend to outperform men in leadership

positions owing to certain key traits. These traits, which

allow for more effective leadership, are typically found in

female leaders. Humility, self-awareness, moral

sensitivity, emotional intelligence and kindness are all

traits that are more likely to be found in women than

men. It is in the natural make-up of a woman - the

daughter, the sister, the wife, the child-bearer, the

mother - that she is experienced at managing and

multitasking. Women add a personal touch to everything.

Gender diversity in leadership is critical to business

success. Female empowerment means the ability to rise

above adversity and compete equally in the world arena.

So dear mothers, wives, and sisters, remember that

women are the change agents who can help lift families

and communities out of the poverty deadlock. The

leadership skills of women in their communities, groups,

and associations need to be harnessed and formalised to

give them greater economic, political and decision-

making power. Yes, we women are more than capable of

driving societal changes.

I was raised in a household that placed a high value on

the role of women. As a devout Hindu, I was taught that

Shakti, the personification of divine feminine

creative power, controls the dynamic forces that move

through the entire universe. My upbringing, based on

gender equality, boosted my confidence to be a leader.

Confidence in myself gave me the power to reach goals

and become more successful in my career.

The world we know has changed in more ways than

anyone one of us could have ever imagined. We are still

trying to gather what has happened and what is yet to

come. As we deal with this devastating pandemic, women

must have the opportunity to play a full role in shaping the

pivotal decisions being made right now as countries

respond to and manage the COVID-19 pandemic –

decisions that will affect the wellbeing of people and the

planet for generations to come.

To do this, we must break down the barriers that prevent

women from taking their seat at the decision-making table

to ensure that resources and power are more equitably

distributed to fight this sinister virus - this is the most

obvious gap that has been highlighted by COVID-19.

The pandemic has resulted in additional duties being

placed on women because of the traditional roles they play.

How many of us had to be worker, teacher, cleaner and

chef at home?

During the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, a study found that

outcomes related to COVID-19 were systematically lower

in countries led by women. Another study looked at

governors in the United States and similarly found that

states with female leaders had lower fatality rates. The

relative early success of leaders such as New Zealand’s

Jacinda Ardern, Germany’s Angela Merkel, Taiwan’s Tsai

Ing-wen, Finland’s Sanna Marin and Denmark’s Mette

Frederiksen has been attributed to their proactive and

coordinated policy responses and by prioritising the

wellbeing of society - as opposed to more individualistic

or business-orientated leadership. Jacinda, Angela, Tsai,

Sanna and Mette recognised the importance of personal

public interventions and were all found to make

decisions based on moral sensitivity and emotional

intelligence.

This indicates the global benefit that can be realised if

more women are involved in critical decision-making

platforms. The leadership of the women that I have

discussed benefited their respective countries when it

mattered the most and not just under

compartmentalised conditions where women are

perceived to shine.

Time and time again, we have seen that the best leaders

are strong and decisive. What Angela, Jacinda, Tsai, Sanna

and Mette have shown us through their handling of the

COVID-19 pandemic, is that a leader can be strong,

decisive and be capable of showing feeling and a sense

of vulnerability. Too often, vulnerability is seen as a

negative for those in a position of leadership with many

viewing vulnerability as being weak and lacking

confidence. It is time for us to recognise that being strong

and being vulnerable, are not competing and conflicting

attributes, but complementary and necessary for good

leadership.

The idea of strength is too often associated with

masculinity, physical prowess and power. Generally,

strong leaders are expected to be domineering, assertive,

to suppress their emotions and maintain an appearance

of hardness. Strength and being a strong leader comes in

many forms and can be displayed through intuition,

adaptability, curiosity and compassion, to name just a

few. By choosing to limit ourselves to stereotypical roles,

we create a life in which things can only be either/or instead of the possibility of both/and. A female leader can

be strong, soft-spoken, gentle and nurturing. However,

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomaspremuzic/


she can also be assertive and domineering when

required.

An article that appeared in Forbes worded it perfectly.

“The age of Iron Ladies is officially over.” Today’s female

leaders are a far cry from Margaret Thatcher. They are

compassionate, collaborative, humble and

empathetic. The benefit of being authentic and

vulnerable is that we stop pretending to be someone else

just to fit in. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable gives us

mental breathing space.

Well-known author and professor, Brené Brown, says

vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the

courage to show up and be seen when we have no

control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness;

it’s our greatest measure of courage.

We’re moving away from traditional transactional styles

of leadership towards a more transformational style,

which women have embraced as demonstrated with the

female leaders that are dealing with the current

pandemic. Transformational leadership, which is most

prevalent amongst female leaders, is underpinned by

vulnerability, trust and resilience.

• Vulnerability – which comes with the power of

choice to take risks and expose oneself despite

uncertain outcomes.

• Trust – which allows room to be worthy of trust and

to trust others.

• Resilience - to come back even when you fail.

Especially at a time like this, during the pandemic, it is so

important for us to be able to show empathy, connect

with people and have deep conversations.

So, if women make for great leaders and possess the

attributes and skills necessary to lead, we have to ask the

question: why is there still this huge disparity in gender

representation between men and women in positions of

leadership? Is it because women are perceived as less

capable than men? Is it due to the multiple roles that a

woman holds – wife, mother, and businesswoman? Or,

simply, is it because leadership positions are usually

taken up when one is older, and this is usually the time

when a woman finds herself trying to balance these

numerous roles?

Research suggests that women encounter a variety of

barriers that impede their progress towards top

positions in their careers. One widely accepted

explanation is the persistence of negative stereotypes,

discrimination, and the idea of a glass ceiling. As for those

women who succeed in reaching leadership positions,

they are further subjected to comparisons with their

male counterparts regarding their leadership skills.

During my career, I've been in numerous leadership roles

whereby I've inherited legacy issues. As challenging as

these times may have been, I took the good with the bad

by taking full ownership for the issues at hand –

regardless of whether they were legacy issues or issues

that materialised during my term. Instead of allowing

these issues to be a bottleneck, I chose to take the

accountability and not shift the blame, and I asked for

help when I needed it.

I have three pieces of advice for you

1. It is so important to be yourself – authentic self

We have to be aware of our own strengths, limitations,

and weaknesses. In order for us to be ourselves, we have

to have alignment between our values and beliefs and

our behaviour. We have this idea of what leadership

should look like as “an image".

Often, we find that our role models or mentors are

different from us and that may be the case for many of us

women today. We believe that we have to fit the mould

of our mentors but that is where we go wrong - let go of

the image and be yourself.

It's easy to be yourself when you already fit in – but in an

inclusive and diverse environment, it is important that

you be proud to be yourself, which encourages others to

remain true to who they are and celebrate their diversity.

This diversity, may in fact, provide opportunities and

ideas that would have never been discovered otherwise.

2. We need to reduce the power distance as leaders

As Martin Luther King Junior said, "I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good." -.

Martin Luther King Junior is relevant because currently, it

appears that South Africa is deeply disillusioned with

leadership. We feel bruised by the injustices that are

happening all around us. Women in leadership must also

recognise the responsibility that comes with power.

Therefore, an effective leader must use their power for

the benefit of all.

The culture that we drive must be one that is inclusivity

and considers all ideas from all team players. We must

encourage equal participation and engage with the

reserved employee that lacks the confidence to

contribute to the discussion.

Further to this we must encourage open-door policies

irrespective of your title. This will enable you to have a

relationship with your people and stay attuned to what is

happening without undermining the various levels of the

organisational structure.


3. Don’t feel guilty because you are ambitious

We often think by choosing a career that we have settled

for a lesser role as a parent/wife. It’s not true. I do not

choose my work over my family.

Believe me, I’ve had those difficult moments every time I

had to be away from home, but we underestimate the

resilience of children who adapt to any situation.

Between our responsibilities at home and at work, it is

easy for parts of our life to get neglected. None of us do

this willingly or consciously. It is simply the nature of life.

The goal is not work-life balance, but harmony across all

areas of your life.

Successfully leading at work and still having time for your

family and friends, physical exercise, intellectual

development, emotional wellness, and spirituality may

be difficult, but it is not impossible. However, as a

woman, overcompensating at work because we feel we

need to do more is unsustainable and will lead to

burnout. I strongly believe that as women, in order to be

able to give back in life – we must invest in ourselves. As

the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. I

know it can be tricky – there is no perfect plan – no rinse

and repeat solution – just do what works for you.

Although one might think the pandemic that we are

experiencing has highlighted the gender inequalities that

women are subjected to, it is evident from my discussion

above that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the

value that women can bring as leaders.

I conclude by challenging everyone in the audience to think

about what an equal future looks like. What will you choose

to challenge with regards to gender norms and gender

equality? I believe that true gender equality and achieving

an equal future for all means realising that men and women

are equal in value. Young boys and girls need to be taught

that gender diversity and equality starts with the

understanding that men and women are different, but

are equal in value, and that women are as capable leaders

as men.

I believe that women should be taught from a young age to

aspire to become leaders and they should understand the

natural capabilities they possess, as well as the resources

around them in order to make it a reality. Home is the first

place where children are socialised into gender norms,

values and stereotypes. For the next generation, the

examples set at home by parents, caregivers and

extended family are shaping the way they think about

gender and equality. From breaking down gender

stereotypes to sharing the housework, and educating

children about women's rights and gender equality, we all

have a role to play in ensuring an equal future for men

and women. The home is an important place as it is our

place of love, care and nourishment. Let's ensure we play

our roles at home by being engaged parents – teaching

our children to work hard and to have the courage to fail

and try again. Be open about your failures and successes.

In the words of the Former Secretary-General of the

United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, “achieving gender equality

requires the engagement of women and men, boys and

girls. It is everyone’s responsibility”.LS

Speaker: Ms Philile Garnie Mphemba| Marketing and Construction Market Strategist

shares her advice

1. What it’s like to be an

entrepreneur

- Understand your subject

- Know your market like the Christians understand the

bible, like the Muslim know the Quran

- Learn the art to monitor trends, avoid being caught

sleeping

- Stand out

- Foresee trends before they become fashionable

2. What does motivation actually mean

- Idea phase

- Excitement phase

- Implementation phase

- Discipline and discipline

- Translate motivation to discipline

- Mandela in a cell??

Try and apply the 4 Stages of Motivation to the above

(Engaging, Focusing, Evoking and Planning)

Designed to grow – women instinct – women not

translating their ability to nature and bring things to life

into business, naturally we are born to create

3. Mental Health

- Job satisfaction – comfort zone

- The impact of your surrounding on your creativity

- Procrastination – with Covid around one can’t afford

to delay one’s dreams, tomorrow is literally not

guaranteed

- Change the narrative of Covid, use it as a turning point

for exploring your potential. Self-isolate to elevate

your potential

- Commit and jump, goals not implemented are just

dreams…women that do not…do not make history

- Constantly learn and grow (Do not fear not knowing)


4. Taking advantage of the digital era

- Think global

- (All of us own smartphones, laptops, MacBook’s you

name it) Access to the global trends and global tools

are a click of a button away

- Good news and bad news (we only mentioned the

bad news)

- We are the media

- Find your inner happy place PGM

Speaker: Ms Lungi Nyembe| MD -

Bazobona Supply Chain

After 15 years of working

in this very industry &

also working in one of

the most reputable civil

industry corporations, I

decided to venture into

entrepreneurship in 2016. I decided to bravely step out

on my own full time into company. Now I’ve left and I

have this company, no salary, no warehouse, and no

material. While I was at home, I then tried phoning all my

old customers from where I used to work, informing

them that I’ve now branched out now and I’m supplying.

I won’t lie, a lot of negativities came my way and to be

honest at some point I regretted it because most of them

would say “wait you’re competing with who?! You’re

crazy!”. “These people have been around for so long and

you’re coming here and you’re saying you’re going to

supply the same products and actually compete with

them?” The fire in me kept on pushing me. They didn’t

know my story and they didn’t know where I was going.

That kept me going.

So eventually when I was in that confused phase, I get a

job interview. I get called in to do a psychometric test the

next day, this company is one of the big companies in

Pinetown. The next day the CEO offers me the job and

hires me on the spot.

I go home and tell hubby, and everyone is excited for me.

Friday come, Saturday, Sunday comes, and I think “no

man, this isn’t me”. Monday comes along and i decide to

write an email and I decline the job. My husband was

fuming, he was furious, for a second, he thought I was

crazy.

So Bazobona Group was born, operating it straight from

home, I stay in Wyebank so you guys would understand,

it’s a residential area and that’s the risk I took at the time,

also at the risk of exposing my family as well.

Eventually Maccaferri SA was looking for distributors and

I decided to reach out and apply.

Eventually I became Maccaferri SA distributor in August

and we have been operational for 3 years.

It has been a wonderful journey but geez, it has a lot of

sleepless nights and a lot of negativities.

Companies that I’m currently competing with, they do

not understand who Lungi is and where Lungi is going,

because society tends to rate you on your current

situation that you’re in, they’re on a mission thinking they

are going to close Bazobona down. Unfortunately,

Bazobona will not suffer that fate.

I remember telling my employees that one day Bazobona

will be on TV. I remember telling one of the ladies who is

now a part of Bazobona, that they will be talking about

me in the newspapers, on the radio stations and on TV.

I’ve been profiled in the radio stations, in Newspapers

and I’m going for TV next.

It all boils down to alignment, they don’t know what I’m

aligning myself with, its going back to you believing,

knowing your story. Ladies you’re holding the GPS, put

your own co-ordinates and when you hit a block put in

an alternative route and carry on. Don’t allow people to

reduce you.

So, what I’m basically saying is that you’re the only author

of your life. The real me that studied so hard to get her

qualification realized no, from eThekwini Municipality,

SARS to Johannesburg Water along with all my

experience realized that I am a powerhouse of potential.

We are fighting, there’s a saying that we have in Zulu that

says “Ilwa Ntombo”, it means “fight girl” and that’s what

we need to continue doing everyday ladies.

The future is female guys. We are the future and if you

don’t see it now, it’s already happening, the future is ours,

I’m so sorry gentlemen, LOL.

It’s very important that when you feel like you are getting

stuck, you go back and remember what co-ordinates you

put in your GPS, even if you have to re-direct it or take

alternative routes but don’t ever stop, till you get there.

LNC


Speaker: Ms

Upasana

Jugroop| Engineer

at Naidu Consulting

by Day; Miss Make Up

by Night

For nearly five years I

juggled 2 careers that

took off at the same time, and working seven days, and

extremely long hours on weekends has taken a major toll

on my physical health. At the beginning of this year, I

realized that we are responsible for our own bodies and

if you don’t take care of your body, your body won’t take

care of you. This is when I started realizing the

importance of taking time out.

Hence a topic that needs more attention and that is the

importance of self-care.

What is self-care?

Self-care describes everything you do deliberately for

your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It simply

means being mindful of your own needs so that you are

better able to support the people you care about. Let’s

clear up one common misconception from the get-go:

Self-care is not synonymous with self-indulgence or

being selfish

Unfortunately, many people view self-care as a luxury,

rather than a priority. Self-care doesn’t mean booking a

spa day every week, it may be something as simple as

taking a deep breath when you stressed or even going for

a walk on the beach. It does not have to cost anything; it

merely needs to an activity you enjoy or helps you de-

stress. What self-care is to me may not necessarily be

what self-care is to you.

Practicing self-care isn’t always easy. Most of us are crazy

busy, have stressful jobs, or are too consumed with

technology to make time for ourselves. Me-time is

usually last on the agenda. Worse, we can sometimes feel

guilty about taking the time required to take care of

ourselves.

Why is self-care important?

Self-care encourages you to maintain a healthy

relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the

good feelings to others. You cannot give to others what

you don't have yourself. When you pay adequate

attention to your well-being, you're not considering your

needs alone, everyone around you also benefits from the

renewed energy and joy you exhibit.

7 self-care tips to improve your overall well-being:

1. Dress up, show up and never give up: We all know

that looking good never goes out of style, and when you

look good you feel good. Regular grooming such as doing

your hair or nails always makes you feel better. As a

result, a morning routine is crucial before you start your

workday. I strongly suggest that even If you work from

home, dress up, put on some makeup-be it some

concealer or mascara, set your hair and you will

automatically feel like you can conquer the world.

But if you still go to the office here’s a few makeup tips,

gentlemen this is where you can play with your phones….

- Your office makeup routine should be appropriate

for your workplace

- Aim for a natural and fresh look- this is where blush

comes into play. Wearing blush always makes one

look fresh and more youthful

- Keep it light and dewy, but this comes from your

skincare. So before you invest in makeup, invest in

skincare

- Always wear mascara

- Wear a natural to neutral lip colour

2. Get enough sleep: We live in a society in which people

are expected to work long hours, work on weekends and

public holidays and pass on vacation days, there is an

underlying belief that we must always be productive –

Too many people are sleep deprived, and it takes a toll on

our physical and mental health. We seem to have taken

the saying ‘hard work pays off' too seriously.

We now spend so much time working and very little time

sleeping. Your body needs time to rest and renew.

Daytime naps are also excellent for refreshing our body

and improving concentration levels. And from a makeup

artist perspective, getting enough sleep is very good for

your skin!

3. Be a healthy eater: Your diet is a major part of self-

care, and it's an aspect you should be wary about. When

you ask people about foods that make them feel good,

you get answers like a juicy steak, or extremely delicious

cupcakes. However, consistently indulging in these

delicacies is NOT self-care. Healthy, nutritious foods are

one of nature's best gifts to us. Make a habit out of

consuming good foods that build your body and avoid

emotional eating.

4. Learn to say No: Too many times, you say yes to every

request in order to not hurt people’s feelings. When you

do this at the expense of your own peace or health, you

are going against the principles of self-care. It's good to

realize you're only human and you can't possibly make

everyone happy.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/basics/stress


5. Move for at least 30 minutes a day: Should you do a

full, high-intensity workout each and every day? No! but

getting in at least 30 minutes of some kind of exercise—

whether it's a solid gym session or a lunchtime stroll—is

just as good for your mental health as it is for your

physical. Even better: You don't have to do it all at once—

take three 10-minute strolls if you have to.

6. Start your day with something pleasant: So yeah,

that doesn't mean snoozing five times then racing out the

door. Perhaps you can start your day with a cup of tea

and playing with your dog or do some morning yoga.

7. Detox from social media: social media has put

unrealistic expectations on our lives. We see people living

these so called “perfect “lives and get depressed about

our own. So, time away from social media, will make us

feel less anxious and decrease feelings of FOMO thereby

giving us more time for selfcare.

SAICE DURBAN | Women’s Month 2021 | Blossoms of Civil Engineering | Choose to Challenge Series

For the month of August, SAICE Durban lined up a

curated series of profiles within the built environment

that embody the idea behind the #choosetochallenge

theme. That is to celebrate achievements made by

women in the built environment.

Each one of these blossoms brings skills and passion that

make us want to do more as a committee.

Allyson Lawless is a civil

engineer who has had an

extensive career in

consulting, supplying civil

engineering software and

researching and advising

on engineering skills

development.

She has researched and

published or contributed to

several seminal documents

including ‘Numbers and Needs’ which looked at civil

engineering skills; the sequel ‘Numbers and Needs in

Local Government’; the 2014‘Skills for and through SIPs’

report; and more recently ‘Engineering Numbers and

Needs in the SADC Region’.

She is the MD of SAICE Professional Developments and

Projects, a Non-Profit Company set up to address civil

engineering skills development.

In 2000 she was the first female president of SAICE, in

2009 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in

Engineering by Stellenbosch University for her

contribution to civil engineering and in 2012 an

International Fellowship was conferred on her by the

Royal Academy of Engineering in London.

1. What does Women’s Month mean to you in 2021

as an entrepreneur in the built environment?

Women’s Month is a reminder of the drastic change we

have experienced from the engineering workplaces of

yesteryear to the diverse workplaces of today. The

diversity we now enjoy allows the pollination of ideas

from personnel with different experiences and

perspectives, which often leads to the development of

innovative solutions. Women’s Month offers the

opportunity for us to celebrate the increasingly diverse

engineering workforce and to encourage all those with an

interest in an engineering career to take the bold step and

sign up!

2. How has the industry evolved through the

course of your career when considering gender

inclusivity?

This question always brings a smile to my face! In 1969 I

received a letter from a listed mining company to which I

had applied for a bursary to study engineering. It said: I

regret to have to advise you that this company awards

scholarships to male students only. Need I say more about

how the industry has evolved? There is, however, a lesson

in this. Enraged, but not deterred, I continued to apply for

bursaries. SAICCOR, the well-known manufacturer of

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/choosetochallenge?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWLYyYjgT5zIJ7qznd8cwILE-Ee8SG-R2rIJ3sTGbxnRbz97LOH_O6A7ZLMDiL6ffSjPVcvpi8vIrW2KxUNL_cczatgVfq-PkS38qnQtfwGfYrqhkUoq1JKSfbyXbZJY48&__tn__=*NK-R


dissolving wood pulp in Umkomaas, came to my rescue,

and I was able to enrol at the University of Natal in 1970

and graduate in 1973.

The acceptance and encouragement now given to women

to enter the industry is gratifying. However, diversity is

not the only change; the change from using a slide rule in

my final year of university to having so much technology

available to us today is remarkable!

3. What are your thoughts around there being a

post-pandemic boom?

The pendulum swings. Sadly, the events of mid-July have

been a major setback in terms of an economic recovery,

due to the huge losses incurred. Civil society worked

together to ward off the attacks in many places and has

continued to work together on the recovery process with

a resolve that we have not witnessed before – let us keep

going. We need:

• Strong private sector leaders to create opportunities

• To significantly increase the use of PPPs to operate

and manage many public sector assets

• Government to finally root out corruption,

infrastructure theft, vandalism and inappropriate

appointments, and to invest in sustainable

infrastructure development.

All of this is a tall ask, but essential in the interests of this

country’s future.

4. Would you choose Civil Engineering (or a STEM

career) if you had a chance to restart? And why?

Yes, absolutely. Becoming an engineer or scientist is

largely to do with your personality traits. Do you get

satisfaction from thinking and using your judgement to

solve problems, or are you a more feeling and perceptive

personality who would be more comfortable in a people-

centred career? For those who enjoy solving problems, an

engineering career offers the opportunity to come up

with a new solution for every challenge – whether for a

new project, product or system, or to solve the problem

when something has failed. This allows you to investigate,

research, propose options, and decide on a final solution,

and then follow this solution to implementation, which is

very satisfying.

5. How do you create a work/life balance?

When someone has worked this one out, I would

appreciate some advice! Fortunately, my husband and I

are very similar and love researching, learning, addressing

challenges and completing projects successfully, so we

happily work long hours together. However, when our

children were young, they came first, and we spent long

and happy hours together. The rule was never less than 3

hours of quality time a day, during the week. Some of this

time would be devoted to homework, but we spent many

more leisure hours with them over the weekends. If there

was work to do that could not be completed during the

day, it would be completed after had we tucked them in

at night.

6. What advice would you give to women wanting

to enter the entrepreneurial landscape?

Be bold, be brave and be the best! When starting a

business, it is essential to have done your homework well,

know the market and make sure that the product or

service you are going to offer is required and that your

offering will be something special. Once you are confident

of this, cast off the doubts, be brave and get started.

Business will not come your way; you need to go out and

get it – which means you also need to be bold in marketing

your business. Hard work is also part of the recipe. A huge

research exercise carried out in the early 2000s showed

that women who succeeded were hardy personalities, i.e.

they did not let any setback deter them. This is true for all

who succeed, not only women, so to all with the

entrepreneurial desire – don’t forget, be bold, be brave

and be the best!

7. Is there anything interesting that you want to

share about your bucket list?

In our travels, and while marketing and working on

several research projects, my husband and I have been

privileged to visit some 57 countries. The most amazing

two days were spent hiking through the equatorial forests

in Uganda to meet the gorillas and walking on glaciers in

the Canadian Rockies. Finally, after pushing our way

through thick bush, to see a whole family of gorillas and

spend a couple of hours observing them was a rare

privilege and an experience that we will cherish for the

rest of our lives. Peering down crevasses over 30 metres

deep on a glacier makes one forget oneself and marvel at

the wonders of nature and the amazing world in which we

live.

Having had these and many more experiences has

encouraged us to make a long bucket list of places we

want to visit, including continents in which we have not

spent much time, these being South America, parts of Asia

and the Pacific Islands. (We were due to go to a wedding

in Hawaii in August 2020 but sadly COVD intervened.) As

soon as we are released from the COVID travel

limitations, we will be pursuing our bucket list!

8. What is your life motto?

We are on this earth to love and be

loved. AL


Dr. Michele Kruger

completed her Bachelors,

Master’s and Doctorate

Degrees in Civil

engineering at the

University of

Johannesburg. She is a

professionally registered

engineer with the

Engineering Council of

South Africa (ECSA), where she also previously served as

deputy chair of the ECSA Communication and

Information committee.

Michele specializes in Water and Wastewater

Treatment, and she is the Discipline Lead for Water

Services Advisory at MPAMOT. She is currently also

appointed as Advisor to Honorable Minister Lindiwe

Sisulu, Minister of Human Settlements, Water and

Sanitation.

Michele has been part of FIDIC (International Federation

of Consulting Engineers) committees since 2007 and

currently chairs the FIDIC Diversity and Inclusion

Committee. She is also currently on the FIDIC

Credentialing Limited Certification Board and a Trainer

for the FIDIC Future Leaders Management Program that

develops the top young engineers from around the

world.

Michele is a previous Board Member of Consulting

Engineers South Africa (CESA) and has been involved on

various CESA committees.

Michele has a great passion for engineering and the

development of young talent and women in STEM and

hopes to make a difference through giving back. In

support of this she has written a book called: ”The

development of Young Professionals and Women in

STEM careers” together with Dr Hannelie Nel. It is

published by Taylor & Francis Group (USA).



To me it means an opportunity to showcase all the

benefits of Diversity and Inclusion, such as increased

revenue, improved cashflow and diversity of ideas!



inclusivity?

I have been lucky enough that throughout my career my

value has been appreciated and I was treated accordingly.

The one big change that has come through is the inclusion

of women in C-suite positions and as leaders/owners of

companies in the built environment.


post pandemic boom?

I have been in the business when there was an incredible

boom around 2005, when we just didn’t have enough

hands to do the work and more recently when there was

no work. While I can’t see into the future, what I can tell

you is that these things are cyclical, and the only

guarantee is change. The best you can do is keep yourself

upskilled and be ready for change



Yes. I know that I am making a difference not only

through the design work I do, but also with my work with

the Minister and the work I do for FIDIC.

5. How do you create a work life balance?

By ensuring that I use every trick in the book to save time,

such as getting food delivered, making food that does not

take much time and I also have a fantastic helper

supporting me at home. I also try and find opportunities

to spend quality time with my family such as camping and

having a nice braai on weekends.



It can be a very lonely experience for female

entrepreneurs, so make sure you have a strong team

around you that you trust. Also ensure that you have the

support and resources to pull you through during the

highs and lows.

7. Anything interesting that you want to share

about your bucket list?

One day taking my daughters to Paris. I believe that

travelling is the only thing that you can spend money on

that will make your life richer. Through FIDIC, I have been

lucky enough to have travelled extensively and hopefully

more opportunities will come my way…I would also love

to eat sushi in Japan!


Don’t care what others think, that is

a prison. People come and go so do

what is best for YOU. AL


Innocentia

Mahlangu (Pr.Eng,

MSc Eng, PMP®, AgilePM®)

is a Project Manager &

Senior Civil Engineer who

holds a Bachelor of Science

Degree as well as Master of

Science Degree in Civil

Engineering from the

University of Witwatersrand.

She has 9 years’ experience in project delivery with

experience across the various stages of project

development including, concept, pre-feasibility,

feasibility, detailed design and execution. In her current

role, as a project manager she oversees projects in the

mining, metals and infrastructure sectors.

She was recognized by the Mail & Guardian as one of the

Top 200 young South Africans. She was awarded the

Young Engineer of the Year award for 2019 by the SAICE

Johannesburg Branch and was also a finalist in the SAICE

National Awards.

She has recently been named as a winner in Accenture's

Rising Star Awards as well as named one of 50 Inspiring

Women in Science, Technology, Engineering &

Mathematics (STEM) in 2020. Innocentia is involved with

SAICE as the chair for the Diversity and Inclusion portfolio

as well as Chair of the SAICE Education & Training Panel.

Innocentia is also a founder of SHEngineers, which is a

mentorship organisation for women in engineering.


as an engineer in the built environment?

Women’s month encourages us to pause, reflect,

appreciate and celebrate some of the great strides many

women have made in the industry. It also serves as a

reminder that we still have a long way to go, towards

making the industry more diverse and inclusive.



inclusivity?

Over the past 10 years, we have seen greater participation

of women in the industry compared to previous years.

Many organisations are more intentional about fostering

diverse and inclusive work environments. Many of us are

also working towards retaining women in engineering.

With all positive progress noted, women still remain

underrepresented in STEM careers, even so globally. The

gap is still too wide and we still have a long way to go.


post pandemic boom?

The post pandemic boom will be brought about by an

increase in investment by the public and private sector,

which is needed to resuscitate the economy.



I am passionate about STEM and consider myself an

advocate. A career in engineering is very rewarding and

allows one to create infrastructure where there was none.

Our projects also have long lasting impacts in our

communities, in our country and have the potential to

change the livelihoods. It is this impact that makes a career

in engineering exciting.


I believe that life is more than just work. Although we

work on demanding projects, but the pace of projects is

not always the same. There are periods where our

workload is reduced and I find time during these periods

to pursue my hobbies and passions. I am also intentional

about switching off from work during certain periods.


to enter engineering?

In addressing young female engineers who feel that this

field/industry is not accommodating for women. Yes,

there are many challenges we still face in this industry

which many of us are trying to fix. I want to encourage you

to show up as you are, as your authentic self and find

mentors to help you achieve your goals. I always love the

quote ‘be fearless in your pursuit of what sets your soul

on fire’, which means chase your dreams fiercely and

fearlessly. My LinkedIn feed is flooded with women

shattering glass ceilings, breaking stereotypes &

occupying spaces that were historically male dominated.

Brace yourself young woman, there’s a wave of change

that’s coming & you should be ready for it. Make sure it

doesn’t find you sitting down, but rather ready to take up

space.



I have been skydiving, bungee jumping, bridge swinging,

scuba diving and I still need to go shark cage diving.


If you are more fortunate than others

or have reached greater heights, build

a longer table and not a taller

fence. IM


Naomi Naidoo is a

professionally registered

engineer with 15 years’ post-

graduate experience with

key involvement in planning

design, contract

management and site

supervision of civil

engineering projects. Her

expertise lies in Water and

Sanitation projects;

however, she has previously been involved in geometric

design, road drainage systems, design of reinforced

concrete buildings and services co-ordination.



Women’s month is an opportunity to celebrate women’s

achievements and the struggles they overcame to achieve

this. In so doing, it provides encouragement and

inspiration to women that are still in challenging

situations. Challenges in the Built Environment and

entrepreneurial space definitely exist and can become

overwhelming at times.

Women’s Month serves to highlight the support and

guidance we can offer and accept from each

other. However, critical issues facing women in the

industry should not be limited to Women’s Month but be

addressed throughout the year.

2. How has the industry evolved through the course

of your career when considering gender inclusivity?

I have noticed that the number of females entering the

industry has steadily increased over the years.

However, the major problem in Engineering has always

been the retention of females in the industry. In the past

10 years or so, I have seen major drives to increase

awareness of inclusivity and gender issues. This has made

a big impact and we can see a shift in the gender ratios,

albeit there is still a long way to go to ensure total

inclusivity in all spheres and it is critical that we work fast

to achieve this.



I have noticed that the number of females entering the

industry has steadily increased over the years. However,

the major problem in Engineering has always been the

retention of females in the industry. In the past 10 years or

so, I have seen major drives to increase awareness of

inclusivity and gender issues. This has made a big impact

and we can see a shift in the gender ratios, albeit there is

still a long way to go to ensure total inclusivity in all

spheres and it is critical that we work fast to achieve this.



Yes, I would still choose a career in Civil Engineering.

When I initially chose Civil Engineering as a career it was

based largely on my passion for the technical aspects and

earning potential. However, over the years I have come to

see first-hand, the impactful role that Civil Engineers play

in the lives of people, and this has stirred up a different

facet of the profession. This industry has made me aware

of some of the injustices of the past and has motivated me

to make meaningful contributions to the industry and

society as a whole. It has afforded me the opportunity to

meet incredible people and form lifelong friendships.


A work life balance can be difficult to achieve especially

when you’re doing something you enjoy or alternatively,

feel pressurised to keep going. I try to practice proper

planning but in reality, it is not always easy to achieve. I

have found that by introducing specific activities, that are

non-work related into my daily routine, I am able to keep

work in check and get one step closer to achieving an

acceptable balance.



Entrepreneurship is amazing but it comes with its own

set of challenges and rewards. As an entrepreneur you

have the ability to build your life and business tailored to

your very own goals and chart your own course. Your

earning potential is uncapped but also uncertain. You get

an opportunity to develop understanding and skills in

supporting business elements like finance, human

resourcing, risk management, procurement and others

but it can sometimes be time-consuming and

overwhelming if you’re also involved in business

operations.

My advice to future entrepreneurs is to fully understand

the reason you want to pursue this path, as this will keep

you motivated to achieve your goals. Develop a thick skin

but don’t lose yourself or compromise your integrity.

Maintaining good quality work, good industry networks

and a good attitude will set you apart as an entrepreneur.



I would love to spend time travelling with the Mercy Ships

or similar organisations. NN


Axola Qumba is an

Engineer at Transnet

National Ports Authority

under the Marine &

Structures Engineering

department with

experience in carrying out

and leading designs of

coastal structures in various

ports around the country.

Axola graduated with a

bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Wits

University and recently completed my Masters in Port &

Coastal Engineering at Stellenbosch University



For me, Women’s Month represents an opportunity to

amplify women’s voices in contexts they aren’t usually

heard to ensure their voices are heard and celebrated.

Also, that we can build further opportunities for the

growing involvement of women at all levels. It also means

reflecting on those women who have been instrumental

in changing the norm and stood up for change.



inclusivity?

While female engineers may still be the minority in the

field, there are many women who have become very

successful in the industry. These women are breaking

stereotypes and showing others that engineers can

succeed in the field, no matter their gender. Innocentia

Mahlangu, the founder of the ShEngineers organisation,

is one of these women working hard to elevate the

female voice in engineering. The industry is evolving

because of these voices that encourage and inspire

females into STEM careers.


post pandemic boom?

|Across all types of business, it is becoming clear that the

world will look different as we move beyond the COVID-

19 crisis to the next normal. Increased digitization.

Organizations across the industry are shifting to remote

ways of working. The post pandemic boom will elevate

the 4IR strategy, contributing to productivity and

providing a better work-life balance.



Oh but definitely J STEM careers are very impactful in

solving problems faced by society we’re like the

magicians of society coming up with solutions to solve

problems that affect people’s lives.


Setting boundaries is also very important especially as

we are working remotely from our homes. I don’t even

think it’s quite possible to maintain balance, you just have

to be aware and able to assess what you need at a given

time whether it is to unplug and give yourself time to

recharge. I do enjoy hiking during my down time.



I think this applies everywhere, but always continue

learning. Build up and expand your toolbox. When you

know your work inside and out, you will naturally feel

more confident.



I want to travel, I think it’s the best way to understand the

world around us.


I’m not really big on mantras or life mottos but there is a

quote I once heard it goes

“While I breathe, I hope.” AQ

Malani Saman

Padayachee is the

founder and chief executive

officer of the MPAMOT

Group which includes

subsidiaries MPAMOT Africa

and MPAMOT Lesotho, who

are both consulting

engineering and

development companies.

Over the past 30 years,

Malani Padayachee- Saman

has distinguished herself as an exemplary professional

civil engineer, and business leader. Malani has gained

industry recognition for her excellence in engineering,

her dedication to growing the industry, advocating for

employment creation, and investing in the development

of young engineers as well as gender mainstreaming.

She also won the Gender Mainstreaming Award for

investing in young women (2020), and the coveted SAICE

National Civil Engineer of the Year (2018), amongst

others.

1. What is the most significant event/s that led

you to choose the civil engineering profession?


I started with chemical engineering, and it was the

influence and encouragement of the Dean of the civil

engineering faculty who convinced me to move over to

civil. The late Prof. Brian Dougherty was also the most

inspiring structural engineering lecturer and gave

structures a whole new meaning and life. It was very

unfortunate, that as a result of the company's needs at

the time of graduating, I had to pursue civil

infrastructure as opposed to structures; however, when

looking back at all of my projects, I am grateful that

things turned out the way they did. More importantly, I

was able to secure permanent employment in the early

90s, when the industry was experiencing challenges and

unemployment figures were high.

1. Your award over the years speaks clearly of

your successes. What drives you to strive for

excellence constantly. Tell us about the challenges

that you faced to get where you are?

The awards reflect the culmination of various initiatives

and the recognition we receive in the industry. In

hindsight, these awards bear testimony to some of my

accomplishments. I often think that as females, we tend

not to be ego-driven or scream from the highest

platform regarding our accolades. It is, however,

something that I would like to be instrumental in

changing. Unless we are open and brag about this, we

will be doing all those that follow a disservice. We

should be celebrating our successes, as we have fought

long and hard to get to where we are in a society that, in

itself, has to be sensitised to what our role is and what

we do. At school gatherings, I would often avoid the

topic or play it down when I was asked what work I do;

in most cases, as soon as I responded, there was an

immediate change in topic, especially from those who

might have given up a career to be ‘stay at home mums.

2. What do you think should be done for the

profession to be recognised by the public?

I think portraying females as businesswomen, mothers,

wives, aunts, etc., to the general public, will go a long

way. We also tend to compartmentalise in order to

achieve sanity and create a work–life balance. It works

exceptionally well; I am trying to re-wire myself in this

regard and find it extremely difficult; I would encourage

others not to do the same and, from the outset, try to

integrate. However, when I analyse men in this respect,

many of them also have two personas, one at work and

a social one; I suppose it is inherent coping skills that

might have evolved with time. I do believe though, that

females, being more emotionally connected to the

ultimate purpose and goal, sometimes tend to cloud this

and while they might be convincing themselves that

work remains at work, I do think that, mentally, we tend

to bring matters home, even if it is just the analysis and

problem-solving element.

4. What are your views/thoughts on gender

inclusivity and transformation?

I have always fought for professional growth versus

gender and transformation issues, as I felt that if I could

focus on my own development and growth over the

years, I could hold my own, irrespective of gender. Being

one of the few females in the industry at the time, it is

understandable why I would have chosen that. It is sad,

though, that many years on and with such a diverse

composition of gender participation, we are still

mentoring around the professional growth, which

should appeal to either gender, in any event; I do,

however, also believe that unless we focus more on

gender mainstreaming, by ensuring that our male

counterparts are in fact sensitive to these matters, we

will not necessarily be achieving much and 20 years

from now we will be raising the same issues. Men need

to be sensitised to what really counts; part of the reason,

in my opinion, for them not to be so easy at transforming

thinking is because they have two personas. So, when

men are at work and relating to a female, they have

forgotten about the fact that the same female colleague

when they leave work is now responsible for several

other tasks, which they (the men) would typically rely on

their partner to execute. The COVID-19 pandemic has

collapsed these worlds into one, and if we are to initiate

change, now is the time.

5. What does the future hold for you as a civil

engineer considering COVID-19 and the Fourth

Industrial Revolution?

I just see endless opportunities for doing things

differently. I really wish I was starting out in my career at

this present moment; we have an opportunity to do

things differently, to be more sensitive in terms of how

and when we do things, and to shape the way humanity

will respond based on various options available. We can

be responsible for deliberately shaping the future.

6. What are you working on at the moment, and

what do you enjoy most about this project?

I like to get involved at the project level as it keeps me

abreast of the latest developments. I am encouraged as

to how far the water sector has come in terms of new

and innovative technology. I am saddened by the fact

that, as a nation, we are not embracing this as fast as I

would like to see. We can train individuals to be adaptive

to the changing technology, and we need to be open and

embrace change. I do not think that young people

recognise how important a time we live in and the need

to start reinventing themselves quickly. I do think that

there is merit in the combination of wisdom and proven


experiences coupled with innovation and the influence

of artificial intelligence that will result in shaping and

building on what we have and translate into success

stories.

7. Are you a mentor? If yes, how many have you

assisted with professional registration?

I love mentorship, and many of the individuals who have

travelled with me to a project will attest to the fact that

they have benefited from a wealth of engineering

experiences on these trips. Engineering is my passion. I

am intrigued by nature and how this has influenced our

thinking and development and encourage anyone who

claims to be an engineer that if you are not constantly

preoccupied with identifying and proposing solutions to

everyday problems, then you are not true to your

profession and might have made the wrong career

choice. I do believe that a true engineer is doing exactly

that every waking moment.

8. On Structuring the Future: Please elaborate

on your successes.

Structuring the Future is a registered trademark that I

captured many years ago in the early stages of the

business. I do think that it is a profound statement and

allows us within our profession to have the power to

formulate what that future should look like. It also

implies that we do need some order and structure to

how we go about doing it. When I captured the phrase,

I also launched it with pictures of young toddlers at the

time, in the interest that the business would evolve and

grow just as these youngsters would. Looking back, I

have watched us evolve with time, and I have witnessed

many transitions in our sector. This, therefore, places

me in a position of knowledge and gives me the power

to change and influence. In structuring the future, I aim

to do precisely that as I want to utilise my professional

engineering skills to their optimal. I am an engineer

before a businesswoman. The next decade calls for

closer collaboration by both the public and private

sector, politicians, and professionals; we have a rich and

diverse culture and, when considering all our mineral

resources, are well placed to come out of this in a far

better position. The COVID-19 pandemic has levelled

the playing fields, but unless we recognise and take

advantage of this, we will still be stuck in the starting

blocks when other nations, whom we least expected,

will be at the finishing line.

9. What keywords/advice would you give

someone starting out?

Never be afraid to speak your mind and continually

explore the unknown. Allow your conscience to guide

you in your endeavours and be true to yourself and your

capabilities. Look to nature for inspiration and

solutions. MSP

Nhlamulo Ritshuri is a

professional structural

engineer and project

manager in the mining

industry.

Nhlamulo has worked in the

industrial, petrochemical,

energy and mining sectors

designing non-process

infrastructure (buildings,

warehouses, and substations) and bulk material

handling facilities (conveyors and their

supporting infrastructure).

Nhlamulo has experience in reinforced concrete and

structural steel design, structural integrity management

and maintenance, project management, construction

monitoring and management, cost estimating and

project finance. She has also worked in the built

environment where she designed and performed

quality control on residential and commercial buildings.

She has assumed the civil/structural lead role in

multidisciplinary project teams from feasibility to detailed

design to execution on small and large projects.

My interests lie in the management and maintenance of

infrastructure, and I am hoping to grow in this area, it is

after all the future of most projects.

1. What does Women’s Month mean to you in

2021 as an engineer in the built environment?

Women's month is a time to remind South Africa of the

contributions that women have made in the

transformation of the country. In 2021 we are reminded

that there is still a long way to go to freedom, diversity

and inclusion especially in the built environment. We

still find ourselves as the only ones in rooms with men,

we still have to work so hard to prove ourselves worthy

to occupy spaces and be given half the respect. As bleak

as it is I believe those of us that remain need to continue

to be visible and show others that it is possible.



inclusivity?

When I look at the cohort of women that I entered the

workforce with, I would say I am glad to see that most of


us are still here. Even though some are still struggling to

find the right roles, we have built and are trying to

maintain a network of support to ensure that we don't

lose more female candidates. Thanks to the growing

popularity of platforms like LinkedIn we are able to

reach far and wide to find inspiration and hope. What

hasn't changed is the lack of women (especially of

colour) in senior engineering positions. I would love to

see that change.


post pandemic boom?

That we will have to see. In my opinion, South Africa has

deeper political and ethical issues that will take more

than the pandemic ending to boost the construction

industry. Government officials looted and facilitated the

looting of RELIEF FUNDS, let that sink in. What is

happening now in our country will have long lasting

repercussions for future generations to come and sadly

the pandemic has further increased the gap for the poor.

We will definitely have a lot of rebuilding to do.



Knowing what I know now, probably yes. Sometimes I

wonder if I would be happier as a struggling artist, lol!

Sadly, I don't have such talents. I would, however, have

followed a different branch of engineering but hey

everything looks better from the outside (especially

financially).


Taking those mental days off of work to not be engaged

in meetings and deadlines. I don't even need to be going

away, just knowing it is a Monday and I don't have to go

to work and answer to anyone can be a huge relief.

Finding time to do the things I enjoy like hiking, running

and finding new restaurants with friends and family. If

anything, the pandemic has shown us the importance of

those connections.



Think it through. If you don't get employment after

graduating, will it still be a skill that you are excited to

have? Make plans for that, find, and keep networks

everywhere you go. Attend events in your field and find

out what opportunities are there to diversify or

specialize. Further your studies, find mentors and find

your own space where you can thrive.



The pandemic has me feeling like packing all my dreams

into one day, but I will be patient.

a) Travelling somewhere tropical as soon as it is safe to

do so. I smell an expensive Carribean getaway.

b) Obtaining a postgraduate degree.


Lee Ann Wormack –

Reminds me that at every point in life you will have to

make this choice and I hope that we choose to dance,

evolve and grow.

If you get the chance to sit it out or

dance, I hope you dance! NR

Zeenat Ghoor graduated

from UCT in 2005 and joined the

workforce in the City of Gold.

After working in various sectors

from Public and Private sector

and having experience in both

civil and structural projects over

an 8-year period, she left formal

employment to start her own

business in 2015. Zeenat has worked on many

prestigious buildings in South Africa including the Oprah

Winfrey School, Steyn City Clubhouse, Gautrain

Viaducts and has gain valuable experience throughout

her professional career.

Zeenat has grown her business from 2015 to present and

has increased her staff base considerably. She has

successfully completed over 200 projects from its

inception. She has been nominated for various awards

including being finalists in the SAICE women led

business category, Minara Chamber of Commerce

business awards and the SAIBPP awards. She has been

awarded the winner of the Standard Bank Topco

Awards in 2019. During the last year's She has made

headway in a predominantly male industry whilst

changing the narrative around what engineering is.



For me personally it’s time to reflect on the past year

and the past achievements and how with each passing

year more and more women are coming together within

Stem because of the publicity generated in the month of

August for women in general. As an entrepreneur we

don’t take a step back ever to reflect and the month of

August for me becomes that month. It’s also really nice

that it has gone from a day to a month.




inclusivity?

When I started by career in 2006 there were a fair

number of women who graduated in class with me – I

remember how excited we were to take on the task of

being our own breadwinners and take over the world.

The reality then dawned on us – that the sector was

tough, and we were a minority and the construction

sector was hard. You had to adapt to survive in it – or

you have to move on. Moving on was the reality for most

– but with more focus on young women the sector is

seemingly more appealing to women.


post pandemic boom?

Post war and post any disaster, there is always

opportunity for growth and development. Engineering

and infrastructure are at the heart of human survival –

from basic needs like houses and sanitation to

incredible achievements like high rise buildings and

large span bridges. We operate within this framework

and infrastructure simplifies our lives and increases the

standards of living. There will have to be a boom – this

will stimulate employment and the country’s economic

standpoint.



In a heart-beat – I didn’t ever think that being an

engineer is something I would be – it was really through

a series of elimination – but you end up exactly where

you are meant to be and for me this is right here. In the

work we do – you get to apply your mind; critical

problem solves and do something tangible. It gives you

incredible sense of purpose and most days are amazing.

There are the few days in between when you think that

life would be easier doing something easier – those days

are few and far between thankfully.


There is no work life balance – it’s a myth – or just a story

for Instagram. You work hard – very hard and your work

is part of your life. Steve Jobs said that love the work you

do and you won’t ever work a day in your life. I am

paraphrasing but the gist of it resonates with me – our

work is intense. Life is intense – but no one said it was

going to be easy. So, embrace it as it happens. Some

days you work till 2am and some days you play golf. The

hard work when you love it and can see results is what

drives you.



Two bits of advice – the first is have your reasons for it

clearly defined. This is the core as to why you want to be

an entrepreneur and when it gets hard your core is solid

and it will keen you focused. And the second is that you

should expect that it is hard – if it wasn’t there would be

plenty entrepreneurs – so keep your eyes open, work

hard, surround yourself with like-minded people in

similar spaces. We rise by lifting each other.



I have ticked those boxes – and as part of my growth – I

am not in the box anymore. There is no bucket list. This

life and world is not a checklist to me anymore. Every

day in every way, I focus on just being the best I can be

and doing things that resonate with me and focusing my

efforts on those I love.


So many but today –

Be the change you want to see in

the world. ZG

Tasneem Vawda Head

of Department –

Structural Engineering for

Ingerop South Africa.

1. What does Women’s

Month mean to you in

2021 as an engineer in the

built environment?

Women’s month is about drawing attention to the

successes and profiles of women in a largely patriarchal

and unequal society. As an engineer, we know well the

challenges that women face in this industry. Creating a

platform where female engineers are identifiable as role

models is an important way of communicating to our

young aspiring engineers that this is an achievable

ambition. It can be done!



inclusivity?

I think we have made small steps. Women are still to a

large degree achieving their engineering ambitions

despite obstacles, rather than there being an enabling

environment allowing progressive experience and

support. We still see large drop-out rates in female

engineers across different age groups. These are still very

much larger linked to larger challenges in the industry – a

shortage of work, constrained time pressures and a lack

of investment in training and capacitation. There are

definitely exceptions to this, and certain spheres of the

industry are better facilitated to invest particularly in

woman engineers. I benefited tremendously from soft

skills training at a young age in my career.



post pandemic boom?

I am hopeful that this is forthcoming. The need for the

investment is there and increasing daily. However, there are

very real challenges facing our economy at the moment.

Sustainable development starts with infrastructure

development, and I believe our government understands

this. So, I remain optimistic.

3. Would you choose Civil Engineering (or a

STEM career) if you had a chance to restart? And

why?

Definitely! I have a passion for what I do.


This is something I have struggled with over a long period

of time. Having a passion for my job means that I am able

to forget everything around me when I am doing

something I enjoy. I have experienced burn out before and

have since realised that work and productivity is

enhanced with rest. In engineering, we use creative

thinking often and this is enhanced by rest, mindfulness

and free time.

5. What advice would you give to women

wanting to enter the engineering landscape?

Build up your resilience, tenacity and emotional

intelligence. You do not need to be a prodigy to succeed

in this career. But it does take hard work, motivation and

drive.

6 Anything interesting that you want to share


Watch this space!


Every experience is a learning

opportunity. TV

Noqobo Bongoza is

a Professional Engineering

technologist and MSAICE , with

19 years of experience in the

planning, design and

implementation of

water, wastewater, and roads

projects.

She is currently involved in the Hatch Project

Delivery Group as a Project Manager and is Assistant

Project Manager to Metsi a Senqu-Khubelu Consultants

(MSKC-JV), a joint venture between South African and

Lesotho engineering consultants working on Lesotho

Highlands Phase II.

As a young professional she has served on the CESA

Young Professionals Forum (YPF) Branch Committee,

where she was ultimately Chairperson of the local CESA

Branch.

In 2020 she was honoured as one of three finalists for the

Engineering Professional of the Year from the South

African Professional Services Awards and one of six

finalists for the Woman Professional of the Year.



Women’s month is a reminder of the influence of women

in society and in their respective professions. This month

should be about the appreciation and showcasing of

women in the built environment profession as a

motivation to those aspiring to join the profession. To

the built environment fraternity, it is a reminder on the

emancipation of women and that can be achieved

through motivations such as being given responsibility,

professional growth opportunities and recognition.



inclusivity?

Throughout the years I have seen various industry bodies

recognizing women for their contribution to the industry

and further there are diversity and

inclusion initiatives that go further than gender inclusivity

but consider other pertinent matters. Most importantly

the Employment Equity Act is actively encouraging the

employment and retainment of women in the sector.


post pandemic boom?

I do not see a post pandemic boom in the sector because

the factors that deter a sustainable economy are not

related to the pandemic. In my view it

is inadequate synchronization between planning,

budgeting, and implementation of Infrastructure projects

that causes a decline. Accountability for what goes wrong

is also key.



Yes, I would because, STEM is close to nature in

my understanding, we cannot really operate without the

STEM careers, there would be no food, water,

hospitals, or offices to work from without STEM.

These carriers enable, life and Civil Engineering is the

base of them all.



Not an easy one, weekends are set aside for non-work-

related activities.



It is doable, one just needs to focus on achieving goals that

they have set for themselves.



Having been in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho

has awakened a hiker in me, I would like to do

the Camino walk at some point in my life.


With God as my help, I can achieve!

NB

Sindisiwe Tshabalala

grew up in KZN at Umlazi

Township, with my sister & 3

brothers & I’m the eldest.

My mother was Beartice

Qwabe (maMlaba) who was

a housewife & my father

Ndoda Qwabe, was a

Durban Transport driver & a

breadwinner for the entire

family. Unfortunately, both

my parents are no more. I

attended all my schooling at Umlazi. As I grew up I told

myself that I can’t change the past, but I can make

adjustments in my present for a better future. Hence, I

surrounded myself with positive and successful people.

Matriculated in 1994 at Swelihle High School and I told

myself that I’ll pursue something different and break the

stereotype. I then obtained my diploma in Civil

Engineering at Mangosuthu University of Technology. My

career started in 2000 at Teichmann Civil as an

Engineering Technician, my first project was Construction

of Gateway Shoppertainment at Umhlanga Rocks, and I

was responsible for earthworks.

In 2002 I joined Transnet National Ports Authority as an

Engineering Technician, in Roads & Tracks Maintenance

Department. I was responsible for Contract & project

management, project planning & programming.

In 2005 I obtained my B-Tech in Construction

Management at Durban University of Technology. In 2007

I was promoted to be Maintenance Manager for Buildings

& Marine, manages 68 Technical Staff including

Commercial Divers, maintaining all wet assets ie. Fenders,

quay walls & buildings.

In 2014 I was promoted as Senior Engineer responsible for

all civil maintenance in the Port of Durban till to-date. I

also mentor Technicians & Engineers in Training & transfer

skills. I have to grow the department and equip staff with

skills to effectively execute maintenance & contracts.

Retain skills within the department especially Technicians,

Engineers, Divers & Artisans. There’s a support system

that is a basic requirement of human existence.

God has blessed me with wonderful husband who is an

Electrical Engineer, we got married in 2003 we are blessed

with 2 boys.



In 1956 Women paved a way for us, they fought so hard with

their blood & sweat in order for us to be where we are

today. This proved that our place is not only in the kitchen,

but we can also occupy any space and still produce

excellent results. Women’s Month in 2021 means that we

celebrate another year of successful women in the built

environment. Women have proven that they can achieve

anything that they set their minds on. In 2021, we can expect

to see confident and empowered women who can be

trusted in decision making. The current growth in

entrepreneurship, we have seen women showing great

excellence by owning mines, occupying managerial position

in logistic companies, and also providing sound decisions in

political areas. Women’s Month in 2021 means that the

world is yet given another chance to celebrate the

achievements and roles of women of all races and religions

in the built environment. Women must note that we now

have networking forums such as Women in Engineering

where we can empower each other and talk about

challenges & opportunities that are available for us as

women. These forums provide training that will develop

our business skills.



It has not evolved drastically, women continue to comprise

a minority in the engineering sector, because engineering is

traditionally regarded as male dominated field. Most

women are less confident about their abilities even if they

perform equal as males. Our companies are trying to

correct the statistics by having equity meetings before the

position is advertised. Recently we’ve seen some changes

where senior positions are led by women e.g., GCEO & CEO

of Transnet divisions being women. Now we can also see

Engineers, Technicians and Artisans, Pilot & Train driver

positions also occupied by females.


3. What are your thoughts around there being a post

pandemic boom?

Save for rainy days don’t eat from hand to mouth. It has

never struck my mind that we will be in this situation,

nobody was prepared for this. Most people lost their jobs. I

have learnt that the future is not guaranteed, we have to

spend and treasure our time with our family & loved ones.

Working remotely is something most organization were not

prepared for. Medical Aids fees were exhausted. I have

learnt that it is important to save some money for

emergencies.



Yes, Civil Engineering is interesting and vast field.

There’s no way that you may be bored. Each project has

its own distinct design challenges and operational

issues. Civil engineering comprises of structures, water

reticulation, transportation, geotechnical etc. You can

either design, build, supervise or be involved in

maintenance of infrastructure projects it can be CAPEX

or OPEX projects. I am dealing with the maintenance of

civil infrastructure i.e. Roads, rails, buildings, wet assets

which is marine assets. What I like most about

maintenance is that it revives a hopeless asset and

restores it operating condition. Maintenance extends

the life of an asset and reduces the need for reactive

maintenance. Through inspections we can detect a

problem and apply corrective measures before it

becomes a major problem. I feel satisfied when I

maintain the assets because that means that I have

increased employee’s safety, decrease downtime and

reduced emergency maintenance orders. Safety

remains the priority as we ensure that Standard

Operating Procedures are in place. Yes, Civil

Engineering is the best.


I normally prioritize the critical tasks to the less critical

tasks. Since we work remotely, I am focusing on the

productivity than the hours I worked, if there is a task

that need to be completed at night, I do that. I ensure

that I take breaks in between activities, as I normal get

carried away with work. I also ensure that I spend quality

time with my family, check kids’ homework, I have learnt

that time is too short we have to stay close to the people

that make us feel like sunshine. Since I have different

sections that I manage I review workload for my team

and ensure individual have achievable workload. I also

conduct review meetings with the team on monthly

basis and acknowledge that every employee is different.

I give credit where it is due and encourage the

employees that are less productive as they are facing

different challenges.



Be strong, do not be scared to fail, ignore negative

thoughts, and press on. If life knocks you down, try to

land on your back, because if you can look up, you can

get up. If you stand up, you can fight for your dream

once again.

7. Anything interesting that you want to

share about your bucket list?

• I am a spiritual person I ensure that I put God first

in everything I do

• Family is the best part of my wellbeing, my

support structure

• I save money and ensure we are financially stable

• I ensure that health is good by eating right and

doing indoor exercises

• Attend short course for personal development.


Failure is not an option; success

is just a process. ST

Naadiya Goolam Mohamed: I am a senior civil

engineer, professionally

registered with the

Engineering Council of South

Africa (ECSA). I hold a Bachelor

of Science degree from the

University of KwaZulu-Natal

and a Bachelor of Engineering

(Honours) Degree in

Transportation Engineering (with a focus on railway

engineering) from the University of Pretoria. I have also

undertaken master’s in business administration (MBA)

and recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in

Management Practice (PGDMP) – Women in Logistics

(WiLo) at the Henley Business School.

I have 8 years of multidisciplinary engineering experience

on large infrastructure projects and aid, support and

mentorship to young engineers. I have worked in various

project phases from pre-feasibility through to design and

execution, with my passion being railway engineering.



Being a woman in the field of engineering and the built

environment itself, is a privilege we often forget,

especially since we have come so far in achieving

diversity and inclusion in the industry. However, this

Women’s Month is extremely special. Over the past year

and a half, women have had to take on more than ever

before. With the Covid-19 pandemic and having to


transition to work-from-home arrangements, women

have literally become the foundation of their homes

whilst remaining anchored in their careers. More than

ever, our time, energy, well-being, learning and careers

have become stretched to late nights at times, early

mornings and needing to be constantly available for those

in need around us. Switching between our personal lives

and professional careers, site visits, long meetings, and

demanding family needs, we have effortlessly maintained

the delicate balance between it all. I believe this Women’s

Month calls for special celebration as women reflect on

their selfless and valuable contributions to the industry

and their personal lives.

2. How has the industry evolved through the course of

your career when considering gender inclusivity?

There have been more active efforts made and strides

taken to ensure women are included in the industry.

Whilst there is still work to be done to increase the

numbers and participation of women in leadership roles,

there has also been a shift in the gender battle. Often, we

see situations where women close the doors for other

women, fearing the other’s success would threaten their

own. As fellow women, we need to remember that the

success and achievement of one woman in the industry is

a celebration of us all. I would like to encourage women to

always lift each other up as we navigate through the

various pathways that our careers have to offer.


post pandemic boom?

Like many other industries, the built environment too

experiences fluctuations in terms of work and

opportunities. However, the pandemic has certainly

placed our economy in dire need of investment in order

to spur growth. Public-private participation is crucial for

further development and growth of our region and the

economy. Apart from this, the recent unrest experienced

in parts of the country has generated various lessons to

be learnt and considerations to take forward as we

progress as a united country. It has further placed the

spotlight, once again, on the need for corruption in

various facets to be curtailed and uprooted.

In addition, the pandemic has shown us the value and

power of technology. It is vital that we embrace the 4th

Industrial Revolution and incorporate the use of

technology in proposing innovative solutions, post-

pandemic.

4. Would you choose Civil Engineering (or a STEM career)

if you had a chance to restart? And why?

I am sure that we all, at some stage, have wondered if perhaps

we should have pursued a different career. I, myself, have often

had the conversation with myself only to realize that

engineering had always been my passion. I am a person who

enjoys a challenge, and my career in engineering thus far has

certainly rewarded me in that regard. Each scenario has its own

set of unique challenges and constraints, and developing a

solution is highly stimulating. At the end, when you stand back

and look at the work you’ve done, it fills you with a sense of

pride, firstly in how you’ve grown through it, but also in how

you’re contributing to improving – lives, communities, or your

country – through it, whether directly or indirectly. In

hindsight, I acknowledge how my choice to pursue civil

engineering has shaped me as a person as well, teaching me

resilience and strength something I would not trade for

anything else.

5. What advice would you give to women wanting to enter

the entrepreneurial landscape?

As an Indian female, I was always told and advised to consider

a career that would make it easy for me to fit in as a

homemaker. Of course, I did not listen. However, every

industry and career path has its own challenges. Despite this,

do not let it deter you. You can accomplish anything you set

out to do with passion, dedication and a drive for success.

Make sure that you have a strong support system, realistic

goals and expectations and arm yourself with knowledge –

you can never be too well-informed. Do not let your setbacks

get you down. Adjust course if necessary but do not give up



I wouldn’t call it a bucket list, but rather a bottomless to-do

list. I have successfully managed to tick off skydiving, The Big

Swing, ziplining and other smaller thrills made more fun with

a willing partner. I am still adding on to the list but hope to do

some travelling in the future.


In the words of the Prophet Muhammad

(Peace be upon him),

“Seek knowledge from the cradle

to the grave”.ST


Kemira Naidoo graduated from

the University of KwaZulu Natal

with a BSc degree in Civil

Engineering in 2016. She was

awarded a bursary with eThekwini

Municipality in 2013 and worked

throughout her vacations to

explore the different departments

within the Engineering Unit.

After qualifying, she joined the Coastal, Stormwater and

Catchment Management Department for a year,

Development Engineering Department for the following

year, and moved back to the Coastal department in 2018

where she currently remains.

She managed to register as a professional engineer,

specialising in coastal and stormwater engineering, in just

3 years – the minimum experience required for

submission. She holds the record within the Municipality

for the least amount of time to obtain her registration, a

record previously held by her Deputy Head for more than

20 years. She also carried out a 3-month internship at the

applied research institute Deltares in Delft, Netherlands,

to study coastal modelling. She is currently finishing off

her master’s in engineering with UKZN.


as an employee in the built environment?

Women’s Month gives women an opportunity to not only

be recognised, but also to recognise fellow successful

women in the built environment. It shines light on the

possibilities and opportunities that are out there for

women as well as identifying gaps in the industry where

women can still conquer and utilise.



inclusivity?

When I first started, I was usually the smallest (both size

and age) and only female in the room for most of my

meetings. When hosting site meetings, I was usually the

only female surrounded by numerous male contractors.

Quite quickly, I saw a transition and influx of females

within the industry. More female owned companies are

being established and development programmes

encourage more female growth within our organisation.


post pandemic boom?

I think it will take a while for people to recover both

financially and emotionally after this pandemic. An

increase in development is expected, and hopefully more

innovative and new approaches will be made to conform

to a new “normal” for the working environment.

Hopefully the industry picks up sufficiently and in such a

way that it becomes more sustainable and less vulnerable

to economic fluctuations.



If I had to restart and look towards my earning potential, I

probably would not study Civil Engineering again. The

industry has watered down the engineering qualifications

and I believe we are undervalued and insufficiently

recognised in this country as compared to other professions.

However, I am passionate about my profession, so if

finances were not in consideration, I would definitely follow

the same path. There are many exciting possibilities for a

Civil Engineer and its satisfying to see something tangible

produced from your intellectual abilities. As a civil engineer

you can literally leave your mark in the world from

something that you have designed to be built.


As much as I love my career, I try to get involved in other

activities and relationships that are away from my work.

Releasing stress is crucial to sustaining a healthy life and I try

to do this with fishing, playing golf, holiday getaways and even

movie marathons. Sometimes you just need a drink or two

with people you love and can have fun with to shake off that

rough week at work. I try my best to start off a new week fresh

and focused.

6. What advice would you give to women wanting to

enter the civil engineering industry?

Don’t be overwhelmed. Sometimes getting into a trench or

wearing those dirty overalls may not be something that you

are used to, but it is important to have ground experience to

understand all aspects of the construction process. It makes

you a better engineer. Don’t let your gender hinder your

ability to perform in your career.

7. Anything interesting that you want to share about

your bucket list?

I would like to travel a lot more after this pandemic. I’ve

realised that it’s more important to invest in experiences

rather than material things. I would love to see and learn more

about how infrastructure differs around the world and bring

back those findings to implement back home. I would

definitely love to visit Old Trafford again to watch another

Manchester United game.


Life has its ups and downs. So does any career. But its how

you pick yourself up and overcome your obstacles that

determines the kind of person you are and the life that you

will live. Hard work will always pay off. Never give up.

“C'est la vie” – That’s life.” KN


Yankho Banda is employed as

a Traffic and Transport (T&T)

Engineer at AMCE. She holds a

Bsc.Eng (Civil) degree from the

University of Witwatersrand and

has 9 years’ professional

experience in Transportation

projects. Yankho is currently a

Master of Engineering

specialising in Transport Studies

candidate at the University of

Cape Town and a registered Professional Engineer with

the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Through her active involvement and volunteerism on

platforms such as Consulting Engineers of South Africa

(CESA) Young Professionals Forum (YPF)(since 2012) and

FIDIC AFRICA Future Leaders Steering Committee (since

2019), Yankho coaches / mentors’ students and young

professionals ensuring sustainability of the profession

and engages with like-minded YPs locally and outside

South Africa sharing knowledge and best practice. As the

sitting National Chairperson of the CESA YPF, Yankho

represents YPs on various CESA committees namely

Board, Council, Advocacy, Technology and Engineering

Innovation, Transformation and Gender diversity.

In her personal capacity, she reviews resumes of

unemployed graduates’ and has recently begun assisting

candidates prepare for their Professional Review

interviews by giving inputs and guidance on

presentations and potential questions.



Women’s Month to me is a celebration and a reminder

of the strides taken by the women of various

ethnicities and backgrounds in 1956 to say we are all

equal and together we can bring about change that is

required in the country. Women’s Month celebrates

the strength, resilience, determination, unity and

gentleness of women (the march was peaceful but

impactful).

In 2021, I believe Women’s months continues to shine

the light on the opportunities available to female

entrepreneurs in the built environment as well as

highlight important qualities like empathy and

flexibility that females bring into the engineering and

built environment space. 2. How has the industry evolved through the


inclusivity?

I believe as Young Professionals (YPs) we have made

great strides to be gender inclusive. In the last few years

especially, the number of females who are visible and

achieving great things without overly compromising on

their femininity has significantly increased. We, along

with some of our male counterparts, have managed to

some degree to disrupt the status quo and tip the scale

slightly in attempts to bring some much-needed balance.

This balance is mainly in the form of changing the face of

the industry from the “boys club” into a more inclusive

one; not only in gender but also in race.

Looking at my current professional stage, I am blessed to

be surrounded by an army of females; the likes of Eng.

Innocentia Mahlangu, Eng. Jeshika Ramchund, Eng Lebo

Maphumulo, Eng Boitumelo Seake and Eng Ntsako

Mkhabela but to name a few; who not only support each

other but also raise others as we rise. Women who are

slowly mastering the art of understanding the strength

of the networks being formed and relying on these

networks for support and guidance. Women who

selflessly cheer each other on because when one of us

wins, we all win; not only for ourselves but also for the

next generation of females following closely behind.


post pandemic boom?

I think we should expect positive growths, albeit slow, in

various sectors as I believe the pandemic has

encouraged businesses and individuals to look at

innovative ways, some new and some improvised to suit

the situation at hand, to conduct business. On the other

hand, others have been able to capitalise by tapping into

gaps identified as a result of the pandemic.

A few simple examples are in how we conduct business

today noticeably in the increase in remote working as

well as the number of online meetings, conferences and

even schooling that has been undertaken. Another

example is the strides made by UCT in launching “the first university-based online high school in South Africa”. The recent black swan events might have negated some

of the strides made to improve investor confidence,

however, the political action to restore stability and calm

has the potential to restore economic stability and

confidence. 4. Would you choose Civil Engineering (or a STEM


Lol I think Civil Engineering would choose me again like

it did this time around. STEM careers are fascinating in

the sense that everything we do is to improve the quality

of life for our fellow mankind. This is evident in the

infrastructure provided to move and house people and

goods. Our innovations and solutions are people driven,

and in a country (continent even) like ours, there are

ample opportunities to explore this. The pandemic has

also afforded us the opportunity to review the way we

have been conducting our work (it is no longer business

as usual but rather business un-usual) as well as policies

used which might not necessarily be reflective and / or


suitable for the dynamics brought on by the pandemic. I

believe we will be seeing a lot more exciting and ground-

breaking advances in the STEM field. 5. How do you create a work life balance?

To be honest, I have not mastered balancing my work life

scale as I occasionally find myself spending too much

time on work and very little on myself or loved ones.

However, through the assistance of a friend, Ms

Sibongile Vilakati who happens to be a civil engineer and

a life coach, I have begun implementing a few minor

changes to help with the process towards some

semblance of balance. Some of these include:

• Support Structure: Understanding that it takes a

village to do anything and having a strong and reliable

support structure, both in personal and professional

capacity, is key to having balance.

• Planning – Before going to bed, I look through my e-

calendar to note meetings, workshops, webinars, etc.

for the week. I also check the previous week “list of

things to do” to note outstanding activities or activities

I placed on list for follow-ups.

• No multi-tasking: I have reduced on the multi-tasking

in the sense that I stick to the time set aside to

undertake tasks. If a new task comes my way, unless

noted as an urgent task i.e. due in short timeframe say

two -four hours, I place it on my list and allocate time

and completion date. This has helped in reducing the

feelings of being overwhelmed.

• Boundaries: I have become intentional of not making

it a habit to “burn the midnight oil” or constantly

working on weekends. I am intentional about limiting

work I take home, if at all, as this is time I should be

dedicating to self whether it be in the form of bonding

through homework, catching up with family, reading,

watching movies or even sleeping! Lol. If one does not

rest, their body will do it for them (burnout). 6. What advice would you give to women wanting


Firstly, it would be to do your homework. Research and

speak to other entrepreneurs (both male and females),

because they have been there, they can better prepare

you psychologically and mentally for the challenges you

are most likely to encounter as an entrepreneur. They

can also offer mitigation measures and support for when

times get tough.

Secondly, get mentors in various fields. This will offer

you different perspectives of viewing things which could

be on your blindside. These mentors can be your

sounding boards, cheerleaders and “big sister/brother”

as you find your feet and trailblaze through the

entrepreneurial sphere. Also, mentors are great for

sanity and ethical checks.

Lastly, always be a first-rate version of yourself and

believe in your abilities. As a female you bring a unique

element to the table - a different and brighter spectrum

with which you view the world.



Top three (3):

• I would love to watch a movie at a drive-in (not

sure if these still exist though).

• Glamping in Namibia.4

• Sky diving 8. What is your life motto?

I have two (2):

Be a game changer; be the mentor

you had or wished you had.

Most recently I have adopted FAIL =

First Attempt In Learning. This

simply means do not be afraid of

challenges, take the plunge because

you can either excel first time or

you will learn a better way of

tackling the challenge (or

unwittingly solve one of history’s

oldest mysteries).


Upasana Jugroop is a 28

year old Civil Engineer who

graduated from UKZN. She is

currently employed at Naidu

Consulting where she is an

engineer specialising in

Pavement Engineering.

Upasana’s passion and heart

lies in makeup artistry. To this

end, she is an engineer by day

and Miss Makeup by night.

Upasana’s skills in makeup artistry took an incredible turn

after her mother encouraged her to pursue her lifelong

dream. She graduated as a Professional Makeup Artist

from Makeup the College and later pursued an advanced

course at London College of Makeup. Making people look

and feel beautiful through creativity is a stress reliever for

her. Her brand and services as a makeup artist and

retailer is well sought after nationally. Upasana’s brand,

Miss Makeup enable’s her personal mission: “I’ve always

been intrigued how something as simple as makeup can

change an entire women’s life, from the way she looks to

the way she feels and if she feels amazing, I’ve

accomplished my goal”



Women’s month is the time where we celebrate and

recognize women from the past and present who have

broken barriers and overcame challenges to achieve their

goals. It makes me extremely proud to see people in the

same space as I am, those who juggle a demanding job as

well as business be it big or small. For once, women are

allowed to follow their passions because they have

choices which now makes women stronger, smarter, and

more resilient than ever before and what a better way to

celebrate them than to dedicate an entire month to

them?!



From the onset of my carrier, Naidu Consulting have

empowered and encouraged women all along the way,

so I have been fortunate in this regard. My division

consists of nearly 60% women. Gone are the days where

engineering is known to be a male dominated field. There

may be progress required in some sectors of the industry

however if one is part of a forward-thinking organisation,

I believe the built environment has made great strides in

gender equality.

3. What are your thoughts around there being a post

pandemic boom?

We are surrounded by negative comments and thoughts

since the beginning of the pandemic, but any crisis

encourages businesses to employ new innovations.

People have become creative, innovative, and inquisitive

during this time which is wonderful because had there

not been a pandemic, we wouldn’t know what we do

now. In both my engineering career and as a make-up

artist, my delivery mechanisms for the outputs and

services I offer have improved in quality during this time,

so this holds in great stead for the post COVID society.



Yes, it made me brave to explore my all my interests and

challenge stereotypes. I believe that STEM careers

provide skills and thought processes that allow for long-

term thinking in all avenues one’s life.


I don’t have this entirely worked out yet since I am a

young engineer and a new entrepreneur. I have a seven-

day work week with little time to spare. This, however,

drives my passion to improve all my skills and attain my

dreams. I will be working on creating an improved my

work-life balance soon though…watch this space!!


wanting to enter the entrepreneurial landscape?

“Forget the risk and take the fall, if it’s what you want then

it’s worth it all”


your bucket list?

No time for bucket lists just yet, Miss Makeup is a dream

come true and has superceded all my ceilings. I guess when

I sort out the work-life balance thing, I will draw up a bucket

list!


Impossible is nothing. UJ

Bongi Madlala is a

Civil Design Engineer

and Project Lead and

Manager with over 7

years’ experience in

leading and carrying

out the design,

management and

administration of

Roads, Stormwater

and Water

infrastructure

projects. Bongi has worked on and designed various

township development projects, rural civil infrastructure


projects, bulk water projects, pumpstation design and

managing a reservoir and tower construction project.

Bongi is also currently pursuing her master’s degree in

Property Development and Management with Wits

University due to her interest in Property. She believes

her technical expertise in Civil Engineering, her

background in managing construction projects and her

knowledge in property makes an all-rounder in her field.

She is a highly skilled professional who is passionate

about improving, designing, and implementing

infrastructure in less advantaged communities similar to

the one she grew up in.


2021 as an engineer in the built environment?

This Women's month, I'm reminded of all the women

who came before me who fought for women to have

equal rights in society in general, but also equal rights in

an industry that was and still is considered to be suited

for a man.

As an Engineer in the built environment, I'm proud that

those that come after me are able to see that there is an

open door for them.



inclusivity?

We are beginning to see more women not only enter the

industry but do ground-breaking work. More and more

women are coming out of the shadows and instead of

being modest about their achievements, they are

speaking out more and are confidently presenting

themselves and their abilities to the world. As a result,

the world is taking notice and we are seeing more

women not only excel in their technical abilities but also

occupying higher positions in the industry.


post pandemic boom?

Based on history, I do believe there is likely to be a post

pandemic boom, but it will probably take some time.

With the looting that recently occurred we expect a drop

in employment and loss of businesses (especially the

smaller ones). There's a positive in every misfortune

though because, with the economy opening up again

after the pandemic, there may be a number of

opportunities in rebuilding what was destroyed. And

most likely, we'll see a rise in employment and a need for

specialists to assist both government and private sectors

to rebuild. We'll then start seeing more businesses re-

open and grow.

4. Would you choose Civil Engineering (or a

STEM career) if you had a chance to restart? And

why?

Absolutely. I chose Civil Engineering because I get to

solve infrastructural issues facing society. I'm fulfilled

each time I see something I designed come to life and

a problem that was identified no longer exists

through my design. I would choose this career again

and again.


Sometimes it's difficult, especially when you're faced with

deadlines left, right and centre. I am currently a full time

Engineer specialising in the design and management of

Roads, Stormwater and Water projects. I'm also student

studying my master’s with Wits University, I run an online

hair care business and I'm a mom and wife. I've realised

the importance of taking time out and really scheduling it

as part of your "tasks". It makes a huge difference. I'm a

huge fan of jogging, hiking and I'm an adrenaline junkie of

note. Not scheduling the things, I love doing outside of

work and family in the past caused me a lot of anxiety in

the long run. So, I definitely take time to do them as often

as I can.

6. What advice would you give to women wanting to

enter engineering?

Do it! Without any doubt or fear. Do it. I believe women

can contribute a lot more than they already are to this

industry.


your bucket list?

Some items on my bucket list (that I'm willing to share).

• Finish Comrades marathon (I attempted it in 2019 and

didn't finish)

• Go cliff/bungee jumping at the highest cliff in the world

(I've been bungee jumping and skydiving but not the

highest). Like I said, I'm an adrenaline junkie!

• Get to travel the world

I also would love to meet a number of female leaders (at

the top of my head right now): Lynette Ntuli, Amanda

Dambuza, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Sheryl Sandberg.

Sooo many more!


"You can't pour from an empty cup".

So fill yourself up at every chance. Sometimes you will

feel like you're being selfish. Don't entertain that thought.

Take care of you first then it will be easy to interact and

give to others. BM


Mabuyi Mahlanga has a

BSc Civil Engineering from

UKZN, a BCom Financial

Management from UNISA,

MEng from UCT. She is a

Professional Engineer

registered with ECSA. She is

also a Project Management

Professional through PMI

and a Prince2 Practitioner

Mabuyi’s academic excellence was identified early in high

school by Anglo America and was given a full bursary to

study towards Civil Engineering degree which was not a

popular choice of engineering amongst her peers at the

time.

Since graduating with the BSc Civil Engineering from

UKZN in 2004, Mabuyi has played a critical role in the

delivery of the country’s strategic multibillion-rand

infrastructure projects. Including the 2010 WC Moses

Mabhida stadium, delivery of integrated Public Transport

Network for eThekwini which falls under SIP 7, and

recently joined SANRAL to be involved in the delivery of

the N2 upgrade program.

The unthinkable tragedy struck her family in 2016 when

the family witnessed the road traffic crash that took away

her daughter. She channelled her grief and completed a

master’s degree through UCT, her research focused on

road safety matters affecting vulnerable child pedestrians.

Mabuyi prides herself of being a Woman in engineering

that is making a difference in the Civil engineering

fraternity whilst balancing her roles as a mother of two

children and a wife.

Her future aspirations are to put the hard hat down on

infrastructure delivery and focus more on making an

impact in the transport planning specialisation within

Engineering, be it within a national road’s agency, at

provincial or local level.


2021 as a built environment professional?

The built environment fraternity is historically and still

is a male dominated field. Celebrating women in this

field is important as it elevates the role and

contribution that women are making in this field. It

encourages young women out there that they can

pursue a career in the built environment and be

successful in it. It underscores the fact that women do

have a sit at the table and are an equal contributor to

building, shaping, and moving South Africa forward.



inclusivity?

I remember that in my final year at university there

were only 5 or less young women who graduated in

Civil Engineering. I can also recall many boardroom

meetings, workshops etc where I was the only women

engineer in the room. In recent years, there has been

a notable improvement in the number of women in

engineering, but I don’t think we are there yet.


post pandemic boom?

Firstly, I don’t think the pandemic is over yet. South

Africa is battling the 3rd wave of the Corona virus and

have entered into alert level 3. I am not an economist,

but economists are making predictions and drawing

parallels from previous post pandemic scenarios that

a boom or signs of the boom are already being

witnessed. My hope is that the boom does in fact take

place. Before Covid 19, there was a lull in big

infrastructure rollout where we saw big construction

companies entering business rescue and some closing

their doors. The pandemic exacerbated an already dire

situation and contributed to many job losses.

A pandemic is something that is not foreseen nor

prepared for. The Corona virus pandemic has a thrown

a spanner in the works that no one was expecting. In a

strange way, it is forcing us, creatures of habit, to

change and rethink how to reshape our future for

example, the concept of working and studying from

home has changed our travel patterns and these

changes necessitate changes to our future transport

planning models. I am challenging all professionals not

to go back to business as usual but make necessary

changes in our own fields that enable us to build and

inclusive and thriving economy that take South Africa

forward.




Yes indeed. I think the ultimate goal for me is to make a

difference in my sphere of influence. Civil Engineering has

a huge contribution to humanity. Simply put, the basic

human needs are food, water, shelter, clothing and air.

Civil Engineering provide water infrastructure, build

houses and roads that transport food, clothing, etc. It does

not get more basic than that.


As a woman, I wear many hats as, a mother, a wife, a sister,

a professional, etc. I have to juggle balance all these roles,

try and try not drop any ball and in the process try and not

loose myself.

At home, I rely on routine and teamwork. In the beginning,

I tried to superwomen and do it all and I couldn’t. So, these

days, I assign roles and responsibility and delegate as much

as possible to every member of the family. I have a grown

son who is at university and a young girl at primary school

who still relies on our daily support. So, for example, my

husband drops her off at school in the morning, my son

picks her up after school, our helper gets her ready in the

morning, I check homework and attend to school projects

and activities! Morning and evening routine makes life

predictable and easy to understand for everyone involved

and reduces stress, everyone focuses on their task at hand,

at a specific time.

Everywhere else I ensure that I am present, I give full

attention to where I am and what I am doing, If I am at work,

I focus and remove distractions. With extended family and

friends, If I have committed to showing up, I ensure that I

am present, I participate and give full attention. People

notice that, even children can tell if you are giving them

divided attention. I am notoriously known as a person that

does not answer calls during the day and vice versa at work

also complained I would not answer calls after hours. I

have since made an improvement to try and balance my

roles. Technology has also made it easier to connect.

My family and I take mid-year and end of year holidays to

get away from stresses of the world. Time away from

home even if it’s with the same people refreshes and re

energises me, it also enables my family to engage in a

completely different manner.


your bucket list?

I want to try out vegetable farming (at a small scale) to

teach my daughter where food actually comes from. I

started a veggie patch last year and even planted an avo

and orange trees from seeds, just because my daughter

wondered what orange seeds were and what they are used

for. All my plants are still alive.


It is based on a song by P!NK

Where there is desire

There is gonna be a flame

Where there is a flame

Someone's bound to get burned

……But just because it burns

Doesn't mean you're gonna die

You've gotta get up and try, and try, and

try

Gotta get up and try, and try, and try

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try

MM

Jeshika Ramchund Has for

over 13 years, been an

innovative change-maker in

the engineering space. This

professional engineer holds a

Bachelor of Science in Civil

Engineering from the

University of KwaZulu Natal

and has extensive experience

in the planning, design and

implementation of water, wastewater and integrated

developments projects in South Africa. You may know

her from her work as the Lead Engineer in

Developments at Bosch Projects, a leading

multinational consulting engineering firm, but can also

be credited with contributions to developing the local

and international consulting engineering sector.

Jeshika serves as the Chairperson of Consulting

Engineers South Africa’s (CESA) Gender Diversity

Forum, an Executive Committee Member of the African

regional grouping of the Federation of International

Consulting Engineers, FIDIC Africa; Vice-Chairperson

of the FIDIC Future Leaders Council (FLC) and a

member of FIDIC’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

She is also the past Chairperson of CESA and FIDIC

Africa’s FLC, and a former CESA Council and Board

Member. Jeshika serves as a member of the University

of Kwazulu-Natal’s Industry Advisory Board for the

School of Civil Engineering, as an Executive Director on

the Bosch Projects board and as Bosch Holdings Group


Co-ordinator for the Bosch Interact Young Professional

Development programme, both in-house initiatives for

empowering Bosch’s future leaders. Jeshika is a 2021

Mandela Washington Fellow, a programme of the US

Department of State and a Next Einstein Forum’s

Ambassador for South Africa. She was recognised by

the Mail and Guardian as one of the Top 200 Young

South Africans in 2018; the winner of the South African

Professional Services (SAPSA) Awards in 2019 in the

category of Engineering Young Professional, the South

African Institution of Civil Engineering’s Young Engineer

of the Year (SAICE Durban Branch) in 2019, Consulting

Engineers South Africa (CESA) Young Engineer of the

Year for 2019 and the South African Institute of Black

Property Professionals Rising Star for 2019.

Jeshika has a passion for empowering females and

bringing diversity and inclusion to the fore through

engineering. She is also an advocate for sustainable

development in Africa. She is a trained Climate Reality

Leader and a member of the Environmental

Engineering Division of the South African Institution of

Civil Engineering. Jeshika’s aim is to create that space

and encourage conversation and bring change through

her work.

Jeshika is an avid reader, singer and dog-lover. She is a

wife and mother and currently resides in Durban, South

Africa.


as a Senior Professional in the built environment?

Women Month is an opportunity to celebrate the wins,

but more especially to acknowledge the challenges

facing women. This year my focus has been on looking

at the pandemic through gender lens and

acknowledging that whilst the pandemic has affected

everyone in some way or form, women have been

disproportionately affected through working from

home, the additional layers of responsibility particularly

where child care and home chores fall onto

women. We've seen an increase in gender based

violence and this does not fare well for gender equity

and mutual respect. This sounds rather somber but I am

hopeful that the post pandemic recovery will see us

build back better with women engineers and the value

we bring being reprioritized.


of your career when considering gender

inclusivity?

I entered the engineering profession when it was still

somewhat popular to be a female engineer. Fast

forward 13 years and it's almost become the norm to

see women as an integral part of the professional. I

never miss an opportunity to talk about the "leaky

pipeline" phenomenon that describes the dwindling

number of women in engineering from tertiary level to

senior management, director, and CEO roles. This is still

so relevant today because the pipeline has not

remained strong and steady. Far too many women still

leave the profession through the absence an enabling

environment for female engineers to thrive. There is

still much to do and progress is slow but conversations

and actions around gender inclusivity are normalizing

and we will see movement on this.

3. What are your thoughts around there being post

pandemic boom?

With our post pandemic recovery centred around

economic growth and job creation, I believe that an

infrastructure focused recovery will have many

multiplier effects. This really is our opportunity to give

our struggling sector the boost that it needs. Prioritizing

service delivery and reducing the levels of

unemployment in qualified graduates and experienced

professionals will bring much needed resources for us

to prioritize training, development and growth for

youth and women alike.

4. What are your thoughts around there being post

pandemic boom?

With our post pandemic recovery centred around

economic growth and job creation, I believe that an

infrastructure focused recovery will have many

multiplier effects. This really is our opportunity to give

our struggling sector the boost that it needs. Prioritizing

service delivery and reducing the levels of

unemployment in qualified graduates and experienced

professionals will bring much needed resources for us

to prioritize training, development and growth for

youth and women alike.



Some days, the answer is no. On these days I would

much rather always be available for my son (who's 3

years old and is often very angry at me for choosing to

participate in an online meeting/presentation than to

make dinosaurs with playdough during the day). I then

remember why I chose to be an engineer and the

immense joy that making an impact brings. I would love

to be able to do both simultaneously.



I don't believe that such a thing exists. There are

different priorities at different times, and I allocate

my time and attention accordingly. The past year and

a half have been challenging but also rewarding in

being able to manage my time and workload on my

terms. I have the support of amazing work and home

teams that respect my needs, my time, and my

preferences. I acknowledge that not everyone has

such a support system, but I am truly grateful for

mine at home and work.


wanting to enter the ENGINEERING

PROFESSION?

If I'm honest, my answer changes more often than I’d

like to admit. I love engineering, my mentors,

employer, teams, and opportunities have been

boundless and, in some ways, beyond my wildest

dreams. However, based on the number of

unemployed females in engineering, the countless

CVs that are in my mailbox and LinkedIn messages

from highly talented women who cannot seem to get

their break, it is heart-breaking. Do I think that things

will change and get better? Definitely. We just need

to always remember and grow the people behind the

infrastructure we want to deliver. Long answer, but

I would say to any aspiring engineers... If you really

want to be an engineer, be positive, creative and

don't take no for an answer.


about your bucketlist?

I'm a travel nut. Inspired by “Around the world in 80

days” as a child, at the top of my bucket list is to visit

all 195 countries of the world…20 down but plenty of

time to see the rest…

Oh, and I'd like to learn French and to play the

guitar…watch this space 😊


I live my life by Malcolm X's wise words:

"If not now than when, if not me then

who?”

It encapsulates my urgency to see change and be

change and puts me at the centre of it. JR

For our Younger Members reading this,

We implore you to work hard, keep hustling, these

ladies have done it and keep doing it…because they

are testament that each day, we have the chance to

give Civil Engineering a seat at the table, it changes

the narrative for what our future as engineers

is…when infrastructure service delivery becomes

the priority, we know all else falls into place for the

growth of any economy…SS

To our ladies:

Thank you, you make us proud!

outlook| october 2021| connect with us: [email protected]

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