Women power

Engineering a better future

● Saskiya Mackraj, 25, may be a fan of skyscraper heels — but she also constructs the high-rise buildings.

“Being a young black woman with dreams to make a name for myself in the unlikely industry of civil engineering, I’ve faced many challenges, judgment and scepticism in my career,” she said.

A University of KwaZulu-Natal graduate, Mackraj has worked on hydropower systems and designed billions of rands worth of infrastructure throughout Africa, in countries such as Rwanda, Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania and SA.

“I made a promise to myself that if I was going to take this career path as a civil engineer that I was going to be a part of the teams that would design and construct some of the biggest infrastructure in Africa, and that is exactly what I did.

“I’ve always had an interest towards green engineering, and bringing sustainable solutions, design methods and construction to Africa. The hydropower schemes in Africa bring energy and electricity into rural communities that have never seen a working light bulb, let alone a network of lights.” But it has not been without challenges. Mackraj has had male counterparts question everything from her skills to her age and ability to get her hands dirty.

“I have come to realise the reaction I’ve received has been from the initial shock of meeting a woman with manicured nails who is supposed to handle the design and construction of a multistorey development. [That] doesn’t fit the bill to what was traditionally expected of an engineer.

“But over time the clients and contractors have warmed up to the idea of women in the industry. Once people see you are qualified and a capable person, you gain the trust and respect required to carry out responsibilities.”

Mackraj said that though the nature of the industry means she is often the only woman sitting in meetings with men twice her age, “I don’t even realise it until someone brings it to my attention”.

Men have asked patronising questions, including about her manicure and ability to be on a construction site, but she defends this with hard work and always speaking within the first 10 minutes of a meeting so that she is heard.

“If you have the competence, love and passion for what you do, people will stop and take notice of what you have to say.

“One of the reasons that fuels my desire to become a civil engineer is that I see the field effecting radical social and economic changes,” said Mackraj.

“I’m determined to use the skills I have acquired to help move SA forward in terms of new engineering developments,” she said.

Once people see you are qualified and a capable person, you gain the trust and respect required to carry out responsibilities

Saskiya Mackraj