With the aim to inspire more girls and young women to become engineers of the future, four South African engineering leaders in the fields of water, climate resilience, smart mobility and aviation share how being a woman is in fact a superpower in this male-prevalent industry.
Royal HaskoningDHV’s Dr Kerusha Lutchmiah (Senior Water Expert), Karen King (Director: Climate Resilience), Bongani Mthombeni (Director: Smart Mobility) and Kreanta Moodley (Associate Director: Aviation) are helping to solve some of South Africa’s most challenging and complicated infrastructure problems.
As female engineers they have faced, and overcome, many challenges while building their rewarding and fulfilling careers. This Women’s Month they reflect on what has given them the most joy and what has been most testing, while looking at how we can encourage more women to be a part of this dynamic profession.
Finding your voice and overcoming obstacles
Like other industries, women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields continue to face gender disparities.
“Unfortunately, women still often need to prove themselves more than their male counterparts for the same roles, even though they have the same qualifications and years of experience. As a black woman in leadership, I have at times been undermined by certain colleagues, especially older white men,” says Mthombeni.
“If you are young, outspoken, driven, keen to make change — and rightfully challenge the status quo — some men can take exception to that. I’ve had to learn to speak up, and I encourage women in engineering to do the same and share their voice and unique perspective,” Mthombeni continues.
The courage of women to challenge prevailing norms has increased transformation in the industry. Today, engineering firms that aren’t committed to advancing diversity and equity, and don’t demonstrate strong support structures for women, lose out on this critical talent pool. As a result, firms are making a concerted effort to ensure that working environments are safer and more inclusive.
“As you grow in experience, your confidence grows, and you come to understand the value of your voice,” Moodley adds. “I urge young female professionals to know their value and strive to take their seat at the table and be heard.”
Greater diversity and a female approach will improve engineering in SA
“Speaking generally, women in engineering projects have been shown to pay meticulous attention to detail, to adopt a user-centred approach to solutions, and to have strong collaboration and communication skills. These are highly beneficial traits for an engineer to have,” says King.
“Female engineers bring different perspectives and solutions to a project, which enhances team effectiveness overall. Women generally have higher EQ and can look at problems more holistically. Women can bring empathy and understanding, which are crucial,” says Lutchmiah.
Many of these skills have tangible effects on the talent that engineering firms are able to attract, the reputation they hold in the market, and their bottom line. A diverse workforce that ensures women are given equitable responsibilities at all levels gives companies a critical competitive advantage.
A fulfilling career that makes an impact
For girls and women in search of a career that can make a positive difference to people, and the planet, engineering holds many exciting possibilities, particularly in South Africa.
“The impactful projects we do in South Africa motivate and inspire me,” says Lutchmiah. “In more developed countries, they have the foundation laid, so everything feels like you’re just tightening a screw. But in South Africa, even simple things can have a huge impact on communities. There’s so much more reach and direct change you can see.”
King also finds the impact of her work motivating: “Solving problems and mitigating risk in South Africa can have a substantial impact on local people. I worked in London for a few years, and while the available resources are appealing, the outcomes are in no way as significant.”
Mthombeni notes that there’s no greater feeling than being on-site and playing a key role in a project that changes people’s lives.
“For example, we are involved in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project – Phase Two. This project will supplement water provision for Gauteng. It’s a massive, seven-year project, and we are involved in the oversight of dam construction, bridges, transfer tunnels, and diversion tunnels. It brings me great joy that our work benefits the broader community,” she says.
Mentorship and role-modelling to encourage more female engineers
Mentorship and development programmes aimed at girls and women are essential, and the Royal HaskoningDHV team believe that career guidance at high school and university level is important to help girls and young women visualise the potential of their career in engineering.
“As more women enter the field, they can mentor and support younger generations, creating a sustainable environment for women in engineering. This support system helps women navigate challenges and succeed in their careers,” says Moodley. It also helps women to understand the sheer volume of roles they can perform, and how transferrable these skills are across other associated industries.
“I encourage students and graduate engineers to seek out mentors and role models, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. It’s also important to be open to opportunities and willing to take risks. Engineering is a rewarding field that offers numerous opportunities for growth and impact,” Moodley continues.
With continued efforts to support and mentor young women, we hope to see more women entering and thriving in engineering careers in South Africa. The future of South Africa holds great potential for innovation and progress with a more diverse engineering workforce.
