LDM Director Believes More Women Are Needed in Leadership Roles in South Africa's Construction Industry

Serisha Sirputh, the director of LDM, based in Durban, is convinced that South Africa needs an increase in the number of women making decisions in the building industry. Sirputh, who is also a professional estimator with over eighteen years of experience in the construction sector, asserts that every woman in a leadership position paves the way for others.

She stated her commitment to using her voice to help more women not only enter this industry but also succeed in it. Sirputh shows deep interest in mentoring women in construction and promoting initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive and interconnected sector.

LDM specializes in estimating and construction project management, overseeing all stages from planning to completion, including aspects of cost, budget, timelines, and quality. Furthermore, LDM provides services in engineering, procurement, construction management, program management, facility management, public-private partnerships, and infrastructure master planning.

Beyond her technical role, Sirputh oversees operations, IT, and human resources, as well as employee training and wellness programs. She noted that she has been fortunate to grow within a company that genuinely invests in its employees, believes in learning, and promotes internal advancement.

Sirputh emphasized that having outstanding mentors shaped not only her skills but also her self-confidence. She explained that success comes from organization and treating time as a valuable resource, as events in this industry develop quickly, and missing critical moments is easy if deadlines are not monitored.

She also believes that building genuine relationships is vital for business success. According to her, this industry is as much about people as it is about projects, and connections with colleagues, clients, and mentors have opened doors for her that she didn't even know existed.

In Sirputh's view, the key condition for her success is continuous learning. She notes that just when one thinks everything has been mastered, a new technology, method, or trend can drastically change the situation, and curiosity helps remain adaptive and stay ahead of changes.

Nevertheless, Sirputh pointed out that despite the progress made by female entrepreneurs, some obstacles remain persistent. One of the significant barriers for women-led businesses remains access to finance. Many face difficulties obtaining the necessary capital for growth due to investor bias, strict collateral requirements, or a general lack of serious consideration.

Moreover, old stereotypes persist, such as doubts about women's leadership capabilities or the expectation that they will balance full domestic responsibility with a career. These factors can limit both time and opportunities. There is also a gap in mentorship and professional networks. Without strong connections and role models, many women feel they are navigating their career path alone, which significantly complicates the ascent to leadership positions.

Sirputh advises aspiring female entrepreneurs to utilize available resources and boldly pursue dreams that exceed expectations. She insists that ideal conditions are not necessary to start making an impact. It is important to surround oneself with mentors, colleagues, and allies who believe in your vision and encourage growth. It is crucial to deeply understand one's financial performance, as financial literacy provides strength and confidence in negotiations.

She stressed that both the difficulties and successes faced by female entrepreneurs are an integral part of their unique voice, urging them to embrace their individual stories and paths as distinguishing elements. Sirputh recommends being ready to use technology and digital tools for creative marketing, smarter work, and expanding reach. Most importantly—maintaining resilience. Failures are inevitable, but they are lessons, not defeats. Small victories should be noted, as they serve as stepping stones to greater success.

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August 4, 20:41

Despite Progress, The Fight for Gender Equality in South Africa Continues Due to Systemic Issues

During Women's Month in South Africa, Telela Ngchentane-Vika and Rev Istoriya Seitisho analyze significant achievements in gender equality since the dismantling of apartheid, while simultaneously confronting the harsh reality of ongoing difficulties, including gender-based violence and systemic inequality.

August 4, 15:45

Women in South Africa actively participate in housing acquisition, demonstrating growing financial independence

In South Africa, women are showing increasing financial autonomy, which is reflected in significant progress in the ownership of both housing and vehicles. In August, recognized as Women's Month, new data reveals a noticeable transformation in ownership dynamics.

Women's Month provides a powerful opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the abolition of apartheid: the constitution guarantees gender equality, women's representation in business and politics has increased, and the feminist movement is developing.

However, considering this process an unqualified success would be a dangerous oversimplification, as it risks obscuring the persistent problems faced by women in a country still grappling with deep inequalities and femicide.

The struggle for full emancipation must continue to avoid a colossal failure and betrayal of the women of the 1956 March, who bravely confronted Verwoerd and his apparatus. While celebrating Women's Month is important, politicians' rhetoric often masks the harsh reality.

Structural Barriers and Patriarchy

Although women hold positions in government, the corporate sector, and many spheres of life in South Africa, their opportunities are constrained by patriarchal structures in wider society. The 'glass ceiling,' though cracked, remains intact, evidenced by limited representation at the highest levels of power and the persistence of the wage gap across various sectors.

The fact that a woman has not become president after thirty years attests to the pervasive nature of patriarchy, which contradicts the narrative of empowerment and often ignores the intersectional nature of oppression and misogyny.

Women from all walks of life, especially Black women, bear the burden of unique and compounded forms of marginalization, rendering general statements about progress meaningless. A more pressing issue is the scourge of gender-based violence—an omnipresent shadow haunting South African society and standing in stark contrast to any celebration of achievements.

Shocking high rates of rape, domestic violence, and femicide demonstrate the fragility of legal protection and the deeply entrenched corruption permeating social structures. Although legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act exists, its implementation is extremely unsatisfactory due to resource shortages in the police, inefficient judicial processes, and a culture of impunity.

This persistent violence is not merely isolated incidents; it is a systemic failure requiring a radical overhaul of political will, social norms, and attitudes.

Economic Situation and the Need for Change

Economic empowerment, often presented as a key indicator of progress, presents a complex picture. While some women have achieved economic success, most remain in precarious employment, bearing a double burden due to low-paid work and unpaid domestic labor. The legacy of apartheid continues to manifest in sharp economic disparities based on race and class, disproportionately affecting women's access to resources, education, and opportunities.

Nevertheless, to truly mark Women's Month, it is necessary to move beyond celebratory rhetoric and confront uncomfortable truths. It requires acknowledging the unfinished business of gender equality, critically examining the systemic failures that perpetuate inequality, and demanding transformative change. Only then can we move away from a narrative of superficial progress and work towards a truly just future for all South African women.

The path from struggle to success requires not only gradual changes but also a fundamental and radical transformation of power structures and social norms. The fight continues—Aluta continua.

These changes highlight a new level of dominance in real estate investments, which were previously predominantly held by men, according to Hayley Irvine-Downs from Lightstone Property. She noted a steady shift in ownership patterns as more South African women acquire property, indicating their growing financial confidence and belief in real estate as a long-term investment.

The historically male-dominated real estate sector is undergoing a paradigm shift. According to the latest reports, women now surpass men in the housing market. The share of homes owned by women as sole buyers has sharply increased from 30% in 2014 to an impressive 39% by 2025. Meanwhile, the share of joint ownership by couples has decreased from 39% to 30%.

It is important to note that 'female sole buyers' are defined as women who are the sole registered owners of the property, regardless of their marital or partnership status. The overall trend of rising ownership has far-reaching implications: properties owned exclusively by women or jointly with men account for a substantial 69% of total ownership, while male ownership remains stable at 31%.

Lightstone's analysis showed that out of approximately 200,000 residential property transactions made by individuals over the past year, 140,000 involved sole buyers, of which 75,000 were female sole buyers. Furthermore, about 60,000 transactions were joint purchases where women collaborated with male buyers.

The rise in female buyers is notable, especially between July 2024 and June 2025, largely driven by a surge in low-cost property transfers. This shift is also visible in the price ranges of affordable housing, where female sole buyers significantly outperform their male counterparts, particularly in categories below R250,000, from R250,000 to R500,000, from R500,000 to R750,000, and from R750,000 to R1 million.

Government housing support programs also play a significant role in this trend: 26% of transfers to women as exclusive owners are subsidized, compared to 21% for male sole buyers and 17% for male/female joint purchases. When these subsidized properties are excluded from the analysis, it becomes clear that female buyers prefer secure living conditions: 12% chose Estate Freehold, 4% preferred Estate Sectional Schemes, and a significant 37% opted for Sectional Scheme properties.

Over 47% of female sole buyers entered the Freehold market. Financially, female buyers generally spend less on average than men: women pay nearly R2.2 million for Estate Freehold properties and just over R1.5 million for Estate Sectional Scheme properties, excluding subsidies. Moreover, female buyers show a clear trend toward ownership with age: at age 30, women constituted 50% of buyers, and by age 74, this figure rises to 73%, indicating a preference for sectional titles.