The South African construction industry needs to enhance women’s opportunities and create more empowerment opportunities in order to grow the industry.
Shannon-Leigh Hodgson, MBAWC occupational health, safety and environmental advisor, says her femininity is determined by her, not her work environment.
According to Rob Johnson, executive director of the of the Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC), while there has been enormous transformation across a number of industries in terms of female employment and empowerment, the construction industry is still largely male-dominated.
Johnson says the construction industry needs to adopt the ethos of this year's Women’s Month theme ‘Working together to enhance women’s opportunities to economic empowerment.’
“The integration and development of women in the construction sector needs to become a priority if we are to grow our industry and the country’s economy.”
Property24 spoke to some of the women employed at various MBAWC member companies about their careers in a male dominated industry.
Nosipho Roji, a junior quantity Surveyor at GVK Siya Zama, explains that gaining entry into the industry through student internships is a useful way for women to be integrated into the construction industry.
After successful completion of her internship, Roji was offered full-time employment.
Apart from the fact that the industry is still male dominated, she points out that women are often second-guessed, not taken seriously and even plain ignored in a group environment.
“I would urge women entering the construction sector to arm themselves with knowledge and stand their ground.
“Absorb as much information as possible and speak with authority when the opportunity arises,” says Roji.
Just because one wears a helmet and overalls does not mean losing one’s femininity during the course of the job.
Roji reckons presentation is key – you don’t have to look like a man in a male-dominated environment.
However, if you love your heels, don’t expect to go on site in stilettos with butterfly stickers on your nails, be sensible and practical and just get the job done.
“Be calm and state your position with authority, not emotion, listen more and speak less.”
Nosipho Roji, a junior quantity Surveyor at GVK Siya Zama, says just because one wears a helmet and overalls does not mean losing one’s femininity during the course of the job.
Bridget Sass, a former MBAWC executive committee member and company secretary at the Pinelands Development Company, says to be good at what one does without comprising one’s femininity you have to remain conservative in your approach, watch your dress sense and always speak from the heart.
Sass is well-aware of the transformation taking place in the construction sector, but emphasises the point that the onus is on companies to make the difference.
“They need to identify women with potential to grow within the organisation and train them in all sections within the industry.
“Once fully qualified they must be rewarded fairly.”
On challenges facing women in the construction sector, Sass says women basically need to work twice as hard before their male counterparts take them seriously.
The number of women in the construction industry has grown over the past five years, however, parity in remuneration is still lagging, she explains.
“Gender inequalities start in most instances within the home environment and we, as mothers, need to take a stance and teach our children differently.”
Sass’s message to women working in male-dominated industries: “The journey is not an easy one - it is all about being passionate in whatever role you play within the industry.
“When you know that you are 100 percent right, challenge your male counterpart, they hate being shown up at the best of times.”
Sass warns that while you are at it, do not score points by bringing your male counterpart down in front of a crowd, rather do this privately and you will earn a great deal of respect from him.
She points out that men generally love spreading good news rather than bad news.
Stay away from using ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘my’ too much rather ‘us’ and the word ‘we’ more often, as this is more acceptable in the male dominated industry.
After all, you want to be taken seriously and not try to be the centre of attention, she says.
Clarise van Niekerk, site quantity surveyor at Murray and Roberts, says in spite of all the challenges, women should believe in themselves and their abilities no matter the opinions of others.
Clarise van Niekerk, site quantity surveyor at Murray and Roberts, reveals that most men have a tendency to trust another man more than they would a woman – even when the woman has been in the industry for longer.
“As a woman one constantly has to prove one’s ability - having to work twice as hard as the males.”
With a demanding career, finding a work-life balance is proving difficult to say the least, says Van Niekerk.
She believes that women should be employed based on their ability to add value and not purely on gender or ethnicity and would like to see more women in senior positions across the industry.
“In spite of all the challenges, women should believe in themselves and their abilities no matter the opinions of others.
“Theodore Roosevelt said “If you believe you can, you are half way there.”
Shannon-Leigh Hodgson, MBAWC occupational health, safety and environmental advisor), hopes that the attitudes towards the differences between the genders will be more positively embraced and access for women at board and management level becomes common practice.
Hodgson says every line of business is encumbered with day to day job specific challenges, regardless of gender.
“My femininity is determined by me, not my work environment.”
Johnson adds that the South African construction sector needs to do more to ensure that more women achieve and succeed in the industry. – Denise Mhlanga
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