Page 19 - Energize September 2022

NEWS

Women firing on all cylinders... about my job is that I grow in competence
and confidence every day. I have an
opportunity to learn new things, work
with a highly dedicated team, and collect
CTOM has achieved a 35,63% an interesting set of skills that will help me
black women ownership and become an unstoppable engineer.”
Aemploys approximately 941 Samantha Claudine Hartheem, 47,
females across 12 divisions. According Turner at ACTOM Electrical Machines,
to Mastercard’s Index of Women agrees: “The fact that I have the luxury
Entrepreneurs (MIWE), South Africa of starting a job from scratch, putting
is one of only 12 economies where in all the hard work and to later see
women’s entrepreneurial activity rates it being used, is pure joy and a great
increased, with 21,9% of all businesses achievement - knowing that I was part of
owned by women in 2021 versus 21,1% the manufacturing process.”
in 2020. As ACTOM is making good strides in
“We value our female employees’ employing women in their manufacturing
opinions and posed a few questions divisions, we need to take the lead in
about their experiences and challenges encouraging our daughters and sisters to
in their day-to-day working life”, said join the manufacturing industry, as this is
Mamiki Matlawa, Group Business the way of the future. We have asked the
Development Executive, ACTOM. ladies to tell us how they would advise
Why do women enter the young ladies who want to enter the
manufacturing sector? The golden Although we’ve come a long way, profession.
thread running through all the women still face considerable barriers Sonto Mokoena, 37, a tester at
responses is that they love what they and obstacles in the workplace. Whether ACTOM High Voltage, advised, “go for
do. They find it challenging, being in it’s the underrepresentation of women in every opportunity and do not be afraid of
a male-dominated industry, but so executive roles, lack of childcare support, the challenges.”
rewarding! According to Shoni Mabasa, harassment or biased and discriminatory Maria Drodskie, 35, a test bay foreman
25, an industrial engineer from LH behaviour, these issues are an ongoing at Marthinusen & Coutts, says: “I would
Marthinusen, “Manufacturing is a large occurrence for women across all industries say to anyone interested in entering
field with a wide range of positions. You and organisations worldwide. the manufacturing industry – if you aim
might assemble items, move products, ACTOM wanted to know from their to succeed, then ACTOM is the best
or even operate machinery. You can pick female employees what challenges women place to learn – with some of the most
a job with the level of physical activity face in the manufacturing profession. knowledgeable and experienced people
you feel comfortable with. You won’t Khathu Moala, 35, a quality control willing to teach you!”
experience the frustration of working inspector from ACTOM MV Switchgear, Manufacturing is undoubtedly still
on something that feels so abstract you says: “As a former electrical trainee, a male-dominated industry, and it’s
can’t see why it’s important”. capacity constructs were a challenge. common for women to feel discouraged.
It’s rewarding to know that the As a woman on the factory floor, we get However, with continuing education
work you do will always influence the stigmatised that we cannot do certain and awareness of gender diversity and
lives of others.” Phumzile Mashinini, duties because we are females.” support, we will soon see an increase
26, an experiential learner from Read Dorothy Kgobe, 38, a tester from in the percentage of female workers
& Mitchell, added: “Manmade tools, ACTOM Distribution Transformers, in #STEM careers. Don’t give up. Push
equipment, machines, automation etc., added: “The lack of female role models, harder, move the boundaries. Some sage
all fall under STEM (Science, Technology, development programs and the shortage advice from Paula Radcliffe to all women
Engineering & Mathematics). The of skilled female workers harbours chasing their dreams: “Never set limits, go
evolution of modern manufacturing has inequalities”. after your dreams, don’t be afraid to push
driven the course of the global economy When asking ACTOM’s female the boundaries. And laugh a lot - it’s good
for centuries. The most inspiring thing employees what the most exciting thing in for you!”
about manufacturing is that we get to their profession is, we have found that they
see innovation and creative ideas. We are women firing on all cylinders. Contact Mamiki Matlawa,
face new challenges to overcome daily, According to Itshepeleng Moholi, 29, Phone 010 136-0200,
and those challenges strengthen your a trainee technician from ACTOM Smart mamiki.matlawa@actom.co.za,
knowledge.” Technologies says: “The most exciting thing www.actom.co.za

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