WSU combating gender parity gap
Institution commits to appointing more women in critical roles
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Buffalo City campus operations and ICT unit are working hard to close the gender parity gap in what is an overwhelmingly male-dominated sector.
The campus is focusing on hiring more women and, so far, at least three women have been appointed to critical positions such as plumbers, electrictians and occupational health and safety officers.
One electrition, Siphelele Litye, said that women were put under a lot of pressure to prove themselves.
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institution which results in a lot of pressure coming from managers to deliver. Considering that this is a maledominated field, you find that you constantly have to prove yourself and your worth,” she said.
Litye graduated from Buffalo City TVET College in 2014 with a diploma in electrification. My interest in electricity
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was peaked at a young age growing up with an older brother who was always busy with electricity projects at home. The use of his hands to bring light to an otherwise dark place always fascinated me,” Litye said.
She was then able to secure a four-year apprenticeship at the Da Gama Textiles factory in Zwelitsha and went on to join the Master Artisan Academy. During my practicals, I
“enrolled at the Mercedes Benz Learnership Academy in East London where I did some modules before conducting and passing my trade test at the end of 2017,” said Litye.
She is one of only two electritians employed by the Buffalo City campus charged with maintaining eight sites and makes repairs to amenities such as offices, lecture halls, great halls and restrooms.
Considering that this is a male-dominated field, you find that you constantly have to prove yourself and your worth