Supporting women who have stood their ground in STEM careers

7th December 2023

Supporting women who have stood their ground in STEM careers

Pinpoint Stewards will be hosting the 3rd Annual Women and Leadership conference for women in Engineering, Infrastructure and Innovation, under the theme: develop, unite and empower.  Hosted at the exclusive Hilton Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg on 28 and 29 February, the programme is packed with inspiring women who have stood their ground in male populated sectors to pave the road ahead.    

South African, women owned conference and training company, Pinpoint Stewards have taken it upon themselves, with the backing of media partners, African Mining, Engineering News and association WiMSA  to ensure equal reporting of this women-led event.  Ankia Roux, Co-Owner of Pinpoint Stewards says:  “by joining forces we are able to profile our home-grown talent and create visibility of these formidable women, but also ignite the possibilities for others to follow”. 

Deputy Minister for the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Bernice Swarts will deliver the opening address on day one of the conference showing the urgency for reform in the industry as well as share future opportunities available to women.

Representing the South African National Space Agency will be Gladys Magagula and Sindisiwe Sono. Gladys is the first black female Mission Control Specialist - her talk will be tailored towards the role of project management in delivering infrastructure projects. Sindisiwe’s presentation will evaluate why women are given tasks or projects that enhance softer skills instead of getting into technical challenges.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) will be represented by Nthwana Ngoma, ICT Services and Operation Lead and Gugulethu Ndlovu, Project Manager. Nthwana is the first woman to join the ICT team at SANRAL and will evaluate ways in which organisations can change company culture and pave the way to introduce more women into ICT careers. Gugulethu has a Masters in civil engineering and will share 5 Tips leaders should apply in managing teams.

Alisha Raghoonanan, Project Manager, Enel Green Power will discuss the synergy between Renewable Energy and green engineering with a special focus on infrastructure projects. Alisha is the first Indian (non-white SA citizen) female to work as a Site manager in the South African Renewable industry.

A panel facililtated by Chairperson from WiMSA, Raksha Naidoo and panellist Thabile Nkomo, MD, Tshepa Basadi will debate the subject:  “using charters, policies and frameworks to support equal opportunities for women” the panel will be a central point of the conference to ensure better insight in promoting women to choose and stay in STEM careers.  

Survivor Exit Foundation has been selected as beneficiary to the conference and a percentage of profits will be donated to support their cause during the 16 days of activism against GBV.

Other speaker companies include: Eskom, Sasol, Goldfields, NRF-SAASTA AB-InBEV; Zutari; Pink Africa Consulting, National Department of Science and Innovation RSA.

Pinpoint Stewards have 20 years’ experience in research, management and arranging onsite conferences and more recently online training platforms relating mostly to legislative updates and critical issues affecting South African organisations. They are a 100% women owned, Level 2 B-BBEE company.

For more information and the full conference brochure and activities planned contact info@pinpointstewards.co.za (EARLY BIRD Conference fee for 2-days at R7900 Excl VAT when registering before 15 December)