This Week’s Resilient Superwomen
For more than a decade, Sisi has been supporting and celebrating women in industry by designing safety wear that caters to their specific needs. This Women’s Month, Sisi has been celebrating the women in our own business who play a significant role in keeping people safe at work.
Here are another 4 of the remarkable women of BBF Safety Group, sharing their journeys and challenges faced in the industry.
Verna Lavens – Senior Supervisor
- What has been the highlight of your career journey?
Becoming a Team Leader was a great highlight for me. Then, a year later, I was made Supervisor, followed by Senior Supervisor. I’m very proud of these accomplishments.
- What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced, being a women in a male-dominated industry?
I have experienced being undermined as a woman. Men often treat women as though they don’t have the skills or knowledge for certain roles.
- How have you overcome these challenges?
I have always believed in myself. I don’t let anyone let me think less of myself and I don’t feel intimidated by men.
- Why are you so committed to the industry, despite these challenges?
I love my work. I love being with people – helping and motivating them.
- Why do you think it’s important for more women to be part of this industry?
To empower themselves. And to empower all women. I think it’s important for women to set an example to help shift the mindset of women – to not think any less of themselves because of the actions of others. Woman power!
- What message do you have for other women facing challenges and obstacles in their career journeys?
Don’t ever, ever give up. Ever. Don’t feel intimidated by anyone – not only men. Just believe in yourself.
Thembisile Mogale – General worker
- What has been the highlight of your career journey?
The highlight of my career has been moving from being a first aid packer in medical to being a machinist in the factory.
- What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced, being a women in a male-dominated industry?
I think people often think women are weaker than men and not as smart or strong. I think women feel that they have to work harder than men to show that they can do it.
- How have you overcome these challenges?
I pay attention to what I’m doing and focus on always delivering the best results.
- Why are you so committed to the industry, despite these challenges?
I love what I do, I’m passionate about my work. I have seen that working hard and believing in yourself in this industry pays off.
- Why do you think it’s important for more women to be part of this industry?
I think women need to challenge themselves and empower themselves and show other women they can do it too.
- What message do you have for other women facing challenges and obstacles in their career journeys?
Every challenge is a stepping stone to success, that’s how you grow character. Don’t give up.
Keshnie Moodley- Financial Manager Coastal
- What has been the highlight of your career journey?
The growth of my role within the business. I started out as an accountant and grew to my current role as a Financial Manager.
- What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced, being a women in a male-dominated industry?
Being a mother, my greatest challenge has been trying to balance my work and personal life. The demands of my work and of raising my two little boys, coupled with being a good wife – there just aren’t always enough hours in a day.
- How have you overcome these challenges?
I have good support from the executive leadership of the business, they are well aware of the challenges of working mothers in industry. I also have an excellent support structure at home with my husband.
- Why are you so committed to the industry, despite these challenges?
I don’t look at these as challenges but rather, as an opportunity to prove – not only to the industry, but to myself – that I can do it.
- Why do you think it’s important for more women to be part of this industry?
The demands of the industry shape your character and personality. There are two character traits that I think are very important; being a perfectionist and having structure in your life.
- What message do you have for other women facing challenges and obstacles in their career journeys?
Never give up. You can do it. You dictate your own destiny.
Eulanda Mabunda – Engineering Assistant
- What has been the highlight of your career journey?
Learning how to do mould changes, maintenance and driving a forklift.
- What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced, being a women in a male-dominated industry?
When I first started doing mould changes, it was a big challenge because of having to carry heavy loads. I think some people thought I couldn’t do it.
- How did you overcome this challenge?
By not being afraid. To me, every day and every challenge is a learning process. I always try to work together with the guys in the workshop and focus on doing the best I can at everything I do.
- Why are you so committed to the industry, despite these challenges?
Being in the Engineering industry has been my passion since I was in high school. Even though I knew it is a male-dominated industry, that didn’t stop me.
- Why do you think it’s important for more women to be part of this industry?
I think it’s important for women to empower themselves to be independent in their life.
- What message do you have for other women facing challenges and obstacles in their career journeys?
We, as women, should come together to show the world that we can do it and that it is possible.
