Women making inroads
THE CITY of Cape Town’s Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA) has added a 13th all-women road repair team to its staffing complement. The all-women team, consisting of members aged between 24 and 40, commenced with roadworks in Atlantis. “The TDA training academy, through its Women-at-Work Programme, is aiming to change the mindset that certain jobs are reserved for men only, or that women are incapable of doing what can be regarded as physically challenging work,” the City of Cape Town said in a statement.
“The aim is also to empower women with skills that will enable them to apply for employment opportunities at the 18 roads depots across the city, and to assist with fixing potholes and clearing stormwater infrastructure, among other tasks.
“The training academy works in close collaboration with the City’s Expanded Public Works Programme. This relationship serves as a temporary mechanism to fund the project, which is valued at R200 000.
“The women were sourced from the local sub-council job seekers database, and the depot assessed and interviewed them as part of the appointment process,” the City said.
“This project plays a multipurpose role,” transport and urban development mayoral committee member Brett Herron said.
“On the one hand, it addresses the under-representation of women in traditionally male-dominated careers, while on the other, it ensures the inclusion of the women in the economy, in particular in Atlantis where the unemployment rate is high. Some of the women who form part of the team are sole breadwinners and are bringing up their children on their own.”
Kashiefa Beck is a prime example of one of those women who have successfully completed training through the programme.
She is now a permanent employee at the City’s roads depot in Heideveld. “Entering the male-dominated world was a challenge in the beginning. However, we soon got into the swing of things and learnt to handle the job and the men working in this field. I think we are more consistent, committed and determined to excel in the work usually done by men,” she said.