City’s ‘women of strength and courage’
THE CITY is celebrating its very own “Women in Civil Engineering”.
Its Transport and Urban Development Authority recognises the crucial role that two female engineers – Thandeka Dukhwe and Nompendulo Bongwanaare – play in the Roads and Stormwater Department.
“Every year, South Africa dedicates the month of August recognising the role women play in society, and how they make a contribution to different spheres,” said Brett Herron, mayco member for transport and urban development.
He said the City was dedicated to supporting its employees, including women, by creating a conducive environment where they could develop, be empowered and excel in their various positions.
“We realise that we can do more to see more women in traditionally male-dominated careers; one of the key programmes in addressing this challenge is the establishment of all-women road repair teams across the city. I am proud of these women of strength and courage,” said Herron.
Mother of two Dukhwe, 39, said her inspiration in pursuing a career in civil engineering grew after seeing the conditions of the village where she grew up in the Eastern Cape. There was lack of infrastructure development in roads, water supply and sanitation.
“I always wanted to be instrumental in the design and construction of this much-needed infrastructure,” she said.
After completing her studies, she worked for two companies before joining the City in 2009 as a principal technician.
Dukhwe has since been unstoppable, also serving as a panel member and subsequently leading the panel inspections, doing visual assessment of flexible pavement and other types such as cobbled stones, concrete and segmented blocks.
Dukhwe was promoted to senior professional officer in November 2013 at one of the City’s district offices. She is now serving as principal professional officer.
Bongwanaare is one of the City’s bright minds in civil engineering. She has been working as a senior superintendent at the City’s Heideveld roads depot since 2014.
Bongwanaare’s duties include managing the roads and stormwater depot, maintenance, construction work, and supervising staff.
She also manages a specialised roads, stormwater maintenance programme and general repair works, and drawing up management reports.
“I overcome the challenges in my field by learning from my mistakes, and then moving on,” said Bongwanaare.
WE CAN DO MORE TO SEE WOMEN IN TRADITIONALLY MALE-DOMINATED CAREERS