Women unite to break construction industry barriers

By Celani Sikhakhane

• Black Business Federation Women Africa wants to help women overcome discrimination, lack of training and other barriers holding them back in construction.

• The new organisation plans to recruit women across all nine provinces and support businesses in construction, spaza shops and the taxi industry.

Women who are tired of being overlooked in the construction industry are joining forces to fight for better opportunities.

The Black Business Federation Women Africa was launched in Durban on Monday to help women develop their skills and grow their businesses.

The organisation was launched by the Black Business Federation, which is led by former Zulu monarch Royal Chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi.

The new women’s organisation wants to tackle some of the problems women face when trying to build successful businesses in industries traditionally dominated by men.

Nthabiseng Mazibuko of the Black Business Federation said women have struggled to get the recognition and business opportunities they deserve.

She said women owned companies are sometimes overlooked despite having the ability to do the work.

“As the Black Business Federation that is led by Inkosi Zondi, we agreed that it is high time to establish a women’s wing that will strictly focus on their businesses in order to develop themselves and make sure that their companies get the attention they deserve,” Mazibuko said.

The organisation will initially focus on construction, spaza shops and other business sectors.

Mazibuko said women working in the taxi industry will also receive attention.

“We also want to prioritise women in the taxi industry because there are women in that business,” she said.

The organisation is not planning to operate only in KwaZulu-Natal.

Black Business Federation Women secretary general Lungi Zuma said women from across South Africa will be able to join.

“All women across South Africa will be allowed to take our membership and we are going to visit all nine provinces,” Zuma said.

The organisation believes there is a particular need for greater support for women in construction.

A 2023 report by Rider Levett Bucknall found that women made up just over 10% of South Africa’s construction workforce.

The report said women faced barriers including limited access to education and training opportunities as well as the belief that construction is a man’s job.

It also highlighted a lack of support, respect and mentorship from male colleagues as problems facing women in the industry.

According to the report, women can face sexism, discrimination and unequal pay, making it more difficult for them to move forward in their careers.

Women in leadership positions can also face challenges balancing work and family responsibilities.

There are other difficulties facing construction businesses.

Some women have struggled to continue working at construction sites because of threats, extortion and disruptions.

KwaZulu-Natal businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, popularly known as MaMkhize, has previously been a prominent woman in the province’s construction industry.

She became known for continuing with projects in townships including Lamontville and Umlazi despite challenges involving extortion.

The newly formed Black Business Federation Women Africa now hopes that bringing women together can help more female entrepreneurs overcome the barriers they face.

Its leaders want women to have access to skills, support and business opportunities instead of watching their companies being pushed aside.

By expanding into all nine provinces, the organisation hopes to build a national network of women who can support one another while growing their businesses.

For its members, the message is simple: women already have a place in construction and other industries, but they want a fair chance to build successful businesses.

Pictured above: Members and leaders of Black Business Federation Women Africa gathered in Durban for the launch of the new organisation.

Image source: Supplied.