Business Link

Last year, Maria Ramos ranked in 14th place on Fortune Magazine’s list of the global Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. As CEO of Transnet, she had led the parastatal through a successful restructuring process and helped grow the company’s profits by 15%.

However, it wasn’t that long ago that women were still struggling to be recognised as a valuable part of the workforce, in fact, it was just seventy years ago that white women were granted the right to vote. The country has certainly come a long way since then with over two million South African women finding employment since 1995.

Gone are the days of power suits with shoulder pads to help women look more “manly” and assertive in the workplace. The government’s policies on employment equity have helped place women in the workplace and they are now able to choose any career path they want to, although they are still underrepresented in the management and skilled trade categories. Only 23% of all employers are women, and 30% are managers in the workplace.

According to statistics, most women (67%) are employed in the service sector. This sector is made up of administrative/clerical (28%), labouring/vending (24%) and general services such as office cleaners (15%).

A few years ago, successful Eastern Cape entrepreneur, Judy Woodgate entered the corporate world when she started her business, Tsitsikamma Crystal Spring Water. “I remember trying to buy my first truck,” says Woodgate. “The salesmen didn’t take me seriously at all. One man just gave me a brochure with a price written on it and wouldn’t discuss technical information such as payloads with me!”

Thankfully, Woodgate doesn’t experience this kind of discrimination anymore, and is very positive about the opportunities available for women these days. “I believe that conditions in our country are ripe for women to achieve. Every woman should grasp her opportunity – because there will only be one or two in her lifetime – and give it all she’s got!”

Another successful water company, Amatola Water, boasts a number of women in top positions on its board. The national government enterprise focuses on the treatment and distribution of bulk water as well as the operation and maintenance of clients’ water services infrastructure, project management services, water conservation and demand management services, planning services and scientific services.

Commenting on the integration of women into the company, Amatola Water CEO, Nomonde Mnukwa notes that there is a “realisation that a mix of skills and expertise are required to holistically understand the whole water value chain.” Board member, Bea Hackula concurs with this view, adding that an organisation like Amatola Water provides a unique opportunity that enables women to contribute to the promotion of cooperative governance and public private partnerships in order to improve service delivery to where it is needed most.

Professor Lynette Louw is deputy chairman, member of the executive committee and member of the finance committee at Amatola Water and is also proud to be making a contribution to society through her work. “The Eastern Cape is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa and is in dire need of appropriate and adequate rendering of essential services,” says Louw. “Becoming a board member has given me the opportunity to contribute towards strategic decision making related to the provision of these essential services.”

Board member, Ntombenhle Rulumeni remarked on how the workplace environment for women has changed in the last 20 years. “Previously, women were found only in teaching and nursing professions. These days, there are so many more challenges and opportunities available.” She noted however, that the Eastern Cape lacks support and network structures to help women in big business.

Zikhona Ramncwana, board member and HR committee member agrees. “This is still a male dominated sector and the challenge for women is that they have to prove their capabilities. Gone are the days when a woman’s role was in the kitchen. Now we must prove that we can also excel in the boardroom. Some more support structures would be very helpful.”

To help expose young women to the workplace and to different career opportunities, cellular company, Cell C organises the annual “Take a Girl Child to Work Day” initiative which encourages companies to invite female learners in grades 11 and 12 to spend a day at the office.

“This initiative seeks to inspire girl children and provide a moment for them to ‘stop, think and evaluate’ the choices that they make and how those choices will shape their future careers,” says Cell C. “Armed with the knowledge of all life’s possibilities, girl children will have the power to take charge of their destinies, and go after their dreams.” The ninth annual “Take a Girl Child to Work Day” will be held on August 19, 2010.