Initiatives in South Africa Open Opportunities for Women in Business, Science, and Innovation During Women's Month

As part of Women's Month celebrations, the Institute of Municipal Engineering of South Africa (IMESA) highlights the successes of women engineers who are leading infrastructure development projects across the country, while also encouraging more young women to enter the profession.

Three engineers—Mpho Plaatjie, Roxanne Kenny, and Princess Kabala Muke—share their experiences, focusing not on obstacles but on opportunities. They urge the younger generation of women to view engineering as a field where they can innovate, lead, and participate in shaping the future of South Africa.

Established in 1961, IMESA states that it has never implemented formal gender policies, focusing instead on creating a professional environment for municipal engineers based on technical excellence, ethics, and public service. Today, over 30% of the organization's members are women, many of whom hold leadership positions.

Leaders in Various Regions

Among these leaders are Princess Kabala Muke, Chairperson of the Western Cape branch; Roxanne Kenny, Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal branch; and Mpho Plaatjie, Chairperson of the Free State and Northern Cape branches. Instead of emphasizing difficulties, these three engineers use Women's Month to showcase the opportunities available in municipal engineering, motivating students, graduates, and young professionals to choose a career that contributes to providing vital public infrastructure.

Inspirational Stories

Mpho Plaatjie, a civil engineer and project manager at the Mangaung municipality, shared that her interest in engineering arose in childhood after living in a community without piped water. She was inspired by watching technicians install a tap in her family's home, which prompted her to work on improving access to clean water for other communities.

Roxanne Kenny, a registered civil engineer specializing in water supply design and an acting area manager at the eThekwini municipality, reported that her mother, who was a draughtsperson, inspired her before she discovered her passion for hydraulic engineering. After starting her career in consulting, she noted that working for local government allowed her to oversee projects from the design stage through to implementation, strengthening her commitment to municipal engineering.

Princess Kabala Muke, an acting manager in the waste management department of the City of Cape Town, shared that life in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, showed her how directly infrastructure impacts people's quality of life. She emphasized that engineering is not just a technical discipline but also a powerful tool for economic development, nation-building, and social transformation.

Prospects and Support

These three engineers are convinced that the profession is becoming increasingly inclusive as women take on more leadership roles in technical teams, manage infrastructure programs, and occupy executive positions. Nevertheless, Plaatjie believes that municipalities must continue to strengthen internship programs for graduates and expand scholarship opportunities to attract more young engineers.

Kenny stated that diversity has enriched the engineering profession by bringing diverse perspectives, while Kabala Muke stressed the importance of creating workplaces where women can be empowered to lead, innovate, and influence strategic decisions. The engineers also highlighted the value of professional organizations like IMESA, noting that mentorship, networking, and leadership development are essential to support women throughout their careers.

Kenny, who co-founded the IMESA Young Professionals Portfolio (YP²), said that this initiative created additional opportunities for students and early-career engineers. This program was later expanded to the Western Cape under Kabala Muke's leadership. Their message to young women considering engineering is simple: they belong in this profession and can play a significant role in shaping the future of South Africa by providing vital infrastructure and public services.

Seventy years after the 1956 Women's March, South African women continue to face challenges related to poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, and unequal opportunities. The article asserts that achieving genuine gender equality requires broader economic empowerment, education, leadership opportunities, and more decisive action against gender-based violence.

Every August, South Africa commemorates the legacy of over 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on August 9, 1956. This act of resistance is considered one of the most significant in the country's history. These women of various races, many carrying infants on their backs, protested against pass laws that regulated not only their movement but also their dignity. They carried petitions, chanted, and declared with unwavering confidence: 'Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo.'

The 1956 march serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and the long-standing demand for equality even before it was enshrined in law. It highlighted that unity is the strongest counter to division, demonstrating the remarkable achievements possible when women unite.

Women of the past faced immense hardships and overcame countless obstacles, transforming their darkest days into a brighter future for coming generations. Their courage, resilience, and determination paved the way for the rights and opportunities many enjoy today.

The Unfinished Journey to Equality

Today, 70 years later, their footsteps still resonate in our national consciousness. Although the country has made significant strides in advancing women's rights since the advent of democracy, many women continue to encounter systemic barriers to full participation in society and the economy. They are disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, unequal access to opportunities, and underrepresentation in critical sectors. These issues serve as a stark reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over and requires a collective commitment from all sectors of society.

Economic Empowerment is Crucial

At the heart of women's transformation lies economic empowerment. Despite numerous policy measures, unemployment, income inequality, and limited access to economic opportunities continue to disproportionately affect women. Many women-owned businesses still struggle to secure funding, procurement opportunities, and established supply chains. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen support mechanisms that enable women to fully participate in the economy through greater access to capital, markets, skills development, technology, and entrepreneurial support. Economic empowerment means much more than just earning higher wages; it signifies increased autonomy, independence for women, and their ability to influence economic outcomes.

Combating Gender-Based Violence

The government also recognizes that violence against women violates their dignity, safety, and constitutional rights, and hinders their full participation in societal life. Thus, combating gender-based violence has become a national priority. To demonstrate this commitment, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently established the first legislative National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in South Africa, marking a major step forward in the country's fight against GBV. The Council will lead national initiatives aimed at strengthening prevention, supporting survivors, reinforcing law enforcement, and coordinating actions between government and civil society.

Education and Skills Open Doors

Education and skills development are equally vital in advancing women's empowerment. Quality education opens doors to employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership positions. More needs to be done to encourage girls and young women to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as to expand access to vocational and digital skills. Through the Human Resources Development Council, we focus on gender-inclusive economic growth and skills development to combat unemployment, which disproportionately affects women. We address gender gaps through technical education, digital skills, and training in in-demand professional fields. However, policy measures alone will not suffice for long-term change. South African society must confront deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes that continue to shape the experiences of women.

Shifting Mindsets and Increasing Representation

Gender inequality is often rooted in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities where discriminatory beliefs and practices are normalized. To achieve significant transformation, cultural attitudes must shift with a greater emphasis on equality, mutual respect, and the fair distribution of roles and responsibilities between men and women. It is equally important to involve boys and young men as partners in promoting gender equality and building a society that respects both women and men. Furthermore, significant efforts are needed to increase the representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles. While progress has been made in political representation, women remain underrepresented in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and strategic economic sectors. Various organizations must also actively invest in mentorship, leadership development, and succession planning to ensure that more women occupy positions where they can influence policy, institutions, and economic outcomes.

Supporting Women Beyond the Workplace

The transformation of women also requires acknowledging the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, which women often shoulder while balancing professional and caregiving duties without adequate support. Key measures include improving access to childcare, implementing family-friendly workplace policies, and ensuring a fairer distribution of caregiving responsibilities to allow women to participate in education, employment, and leadership. As a government, we are also addressing systemic barriers through targeted allocation in public procurement, specialized financial funds, and multi-sectoral partnerships. Key interventions include implementing a target of 40% preferential procurement for the public sector, utilizing special financing schemes such as the Isivande Women's Fund, and creating structured market fairs. Moreover, the EmpowerHer Market trade fair has been established to promote women-owned businesses, expand market access, and foster investment linkages. This initiative provides women with tangible pathways to enter supply chains, scale their businesses, and transform their communities.

The Work Continues

However, the story of women's transformation does not end here. Aluta continua. Real change is a process, not an event, and the path to full equality requires sustained and active participation. Government, business, civil society, traditional leaders, religious organizations, communities, and families all play a role in creating an environment where women can thrive. Ultimately, we must measure success by the degree to which every woman can live with dignity, safety, equality, and the freedom to realize her full potential. Only then will the vision of the women who marched in 1956 be fully realized.

According to Cassius Selala, when South African women hold leadership positions in science, they contribute not only to the transformation of laboratories but also to the transformation of industries, strengthening the economy, inspiring future generations, and building the inclusive, capable, and prosperous South Africa envisioned by the Constitution.

The Importance of Gender Equality for Development

South Africa is at a crucial stage of its democratic journey. In the process of creating an inclusive economy, ensuring sustainable employment, reducing poverty and inequality, and strengthening the potential of a developing state, it has become clear that the country's progress depends on unlocking the full potential of all its citizens, especially women and girls.

During Women's Month, under the national theme 'Empowering women empowers the nation,' it is reminded that supporting women is not just a constitutional requirement or a matter of social justice, but a central element of South Africa's development plan. This is most evident in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Economic Future Through Innovation

The future of the South African economy will be determined by innovation, research, and technological progress. The industries that will shape tomorrow's economy—such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, medical sciences, and climate innovations—require a skilled workforce capable of solving increasingly complex challenges. Women and girls must be at the center of this transformation.

The National Development Plan until 2030 recognizes the need to expand the country's skills base, invest in innovation, and strengthen research capacity to achieve inclusive economic growth. Similarly, the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (2024–2029) emphasizes inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and combating the high cost of living, as well as building a capable, ethical, and developed state. None of these goals can be fully achieved without a significant increase in the participation and leadership of women in science and innovation.

Women's Contribution to Scientific Achievements

Science extends far beyond laboratories and research institutions; it is the foundation upon which nations build competitive economies. Every medical breakthrough, agricultural innovation, clean energy solution, engineering achievement, and digital technology begins with scientific inquiry. When women participate fully in these fields, they contribute not only to scientific excellence but also to economic expansion, industrial development, and improved public service delivery.

South African women scientists continue to demonstrate outstanding leadership in critical sectors. They advance vaccine research, enhance food security through agricultural science, develop technologies to address water scarcity, drive innovation in mining and manufacturing, and lead research helping communities adapt to climate change. Their work directly contributes to achieving national priorities and improving the daily lives of millions of South Africans.

Barriers and the Need for Strategic Investment

Despite these successes, women remain underrepresented in many STEM disciplines, particularly in leadership roles, research funding, and commercial innovation. Many girls still face obstacles that prevent them from building careers in science and technology. Gender stereotypes, unequal access to quality education, limited mentorship opportunities, workplace discrimination, and uneven burdens of unpaid care continue to limit their potential.

For a country facing persistent unemployment, especially among women and youth, this represents a missed economic opportunity. Therefore, empowering women in science must become a strategic investment in South Africa's economic recovery and development. Every girl who succeeds in mathematics, coding, engineering, or scientific research strengthens the country's ability to compete in the rapidly changing global economy. Every woman who starts a tech enterprise, leads scientific research, or develops innovative solutions contributes to job creation, productivity, and inclusive growth.

Requirements for the Education Ecosystem

This requires targeted investment across the entire education and innovation ecosystem. Girls must have equal access to quality STEM education from an early age. Universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges must expand opportunities for women in research and innovation. The public and private sectors must invest in scholarships, mentorship, research funding, entrepreneurial support, and leadership development to enable women scientists to thrive.

International Commitments and Conclusion

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities continues to advocate for gender-oriented policies aimed at dismantling structural barriers and promoting equal participation in all spheres of society. By collaborating with government departments, academic circles, scientific councils, industry, and civil society, it is essential to ensure that women are not merely participants in South Africa's innovation ecosystem, but its leaders, shaping its future.

Empowering women in science also advances South Africa's international commitments, including the African Union's Agenda 2063, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), as well as commitments under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The country's development plan cannot succeed if innovation excludes half its population. Inclusive growth requires inclusive innovation. A capable developing state needs the talents of female researchers, engineers, data scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs. Our industrialization requires women to design the technologies of the future. Our response to climate change depends on women developing sustainable agricultural systems and clean energy solutions. Our healthcare system relies on women to advance vital research.

By investing in women in science, the country strengthens institutions, makes industries more competitive, improves community health, and enhances economic resilience. Opportunities are created not only for individual women but also for families, communities, and future generations.

On the occasion of Women's Month, South Africa must renew its commitment to creating an environment where every girl can dream without limits, every young woman can build a scientific career without discrimination, and every female scientist can lead, innovate, and contribute fully to national development. The success of South Africa's development plan will ultimately depend on whether we can harness the talents of all our people. Thus, empowering women in science is not just a matter of representation; it is an acceleration of economic transformation, the advancement of innovation, the strengthening of our developing state, and the building of a prosperous nation for all.