Two inspirational women share their strategies for achieving their dreams in a formerly male-dominated industry. This is Part 2 of a two-part series.
Walking the work/ life tightrope
A key issue for women in the workplace generally is work/ life balance, and construction is no exception. It’s well recognised that women assume the lion’s share of domestic and childcare responsibilities, further compromising their ability to put in the hard work needed to break through entrenched ways of doing things.
Tsenase says that putting in place the right strategies and support systems is vital in the quest to strike the right balance. “It is important for me to play my role as a mother while I chase my goals,” she says. She believes that flexible work hours can make a huge difference in this regard.
Their separate experiences confirm what many women who have been successful in male-dominated spheres have noted: the importance of mentors. Motsepe-Marutla says her CEO, Nick Booth, is an important mentor for her, among others. But her greatest role model continues to be her 92-year-old grandmother who, having lost her husband almost 50 years ago, set herself the goal of ensuring her seven children got the education they needed to succeed in life.
“It is essential to find mentors, both male and female, who can provide guidance and support,” adds Tsenase.
She believes that government needs to do more by implementing new policies and enforcing existing regulations to drive gender inclusion in the industry. Public education and advocacy are also important, both to challenge stereotypes and alert women to the opportunities that the construction industry offers.
“It’s not just about hard hats,” laughs Motsepe-Marutla. “The industry is constantly changing and growing, so there are many areas – architecture, design, engineering, planning, health and safety, to name just a few – where female graduates can shine.”
However, these opportunities will continue to be limited by the headwinds the construction industry continues to face. One element is the continuing inability of government to turn its ambitious plans to build more infrastructure into reality, while slow payment by government is also an ongoing challenge.
The construction mafia – “let’s call it for what it is,” says Motsepe – is also a factor inhibiting the industry’s recovery.
Mohau Mphomela, Executive Director at Master Builders Association North says that female leaders like Motsepe-Marutla and Tsenase show that the construction industry is gradually changing. “Women like these are paving the way for a new generation of women to see our industry as a place where they can build satisfying careers and drive meaningful change,” he concludes.
Source: MBA North