“Despite the engineering community being renowned for [it's] innovation… and problem-solving skills, the profession still has to overcome its long-standing challenge of attracting and retaining female engineers.” The Guardian, 2013 – Dr Alana Collins.  Fast forward a decade later…  has this changed?   

Making Change Happen is brought to you by 100% women-owned conference company  Pinpoint Stewards. It will be hosting the "It's DUE  – Develop, Unite and Empower Women & Leadership" conference focusing on the fields of Engineering, Infrastructure and Innovation. The two day conference will include a powerful, women only line-up of 12 industry speakers, taking place at Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West on 22 & 23 February 2023.  

“We have created the conference as an annual platform for women to meet on common ground and strategize toward change, interact face-to-face and, most importantly, to do business.” says Pinpoint Stewards Co-Owner Sudhira Sewsunker.

The big question…

"With R6.6-trillion in cumulative spend required by 2030, the government continues to insist it plans to invest heavily in transport, energy, residential, telecommunications and industrial projects.”- Infrastructure News. Where do women fit into these opportunities?

Taking a look at the future of possibilities for women, the conference organisers have selected women who have led by example within these sectors.Western Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Noxolo Kiviet is such an example and will be opening the conference. Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKAO) Mid Site Construction Director Tracy Cheetham will be speaking on being a courier in STEM as a woman. MPAMOT CEO Malani Padayachee – Saman will be addressing the impact of Women in Engineering, with Transnet Engineering Technology Management Principal Engineer Dr Emma Molobi discussing the impact and status quo of 4IR/5IR on Women in the Workplace in South Africa - solutions for women by women.

The first Black female Aero Engineer, Pfumelani Mbulayeni, who is also MD of PM AVIATION, started her own consulting firm after losing her job and will speak on the subject of powering through challenges and obstacles in engineering with her topic on “Giving up is not an option”.  Speaking on the lack of mentorship opportunities for young women in engineering and looking at how to retain women in the Engineering sector will be addressed by Exxaro Superintendent of Mining Dolly Masilela.

Other speaker organisations who will be speaking include: Grinaker- LTA, Krypton Mining, DBSA, Armscor Dockyard, Freeport Saldanha IDZ, Department of COGTA – NWPG. 

“Women representing their organisations will be profiled leading up to the conference. Our mission is to ensure equal reporting of women who have made change happen amid the challenges within these male dominated industries with the help of media partner Engineering News and partner WiMSA” says Sewsunker.

Registrations are essential by 31 January email: info@pinpointstewards.co.za