On 12 March 2025, Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Western Cape, Tertuis Simmers, will be addressing the annual Women and Leadership Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Now in the 4th year running, one of the key outcomes from last year’s conference was to include the input and support of male leadership specifically within STEM/male populated sectors. Adding his voice as support also addressing the delegation, will be MD, Transport and Greater Africa, Vishaal Lutchman, Zutari.
Speakers for this year include:
- Dr Gugu Moche, Group Exec: Digital Transformation and Acting DCEO: Research, Innovation, Impact Support & Advancement (RIISA) National Research Foundation
- Natasha Ramkirpal, Group Lead – Water Security Optimisation, Coca Cola Beverages Africa
- Retang Sandra Maphothoma, Technologist-Highways, Aecom
- Zandile Pule, Snr Manager: Asset Optimisation, Strategy and Systems Global, Gold Fields
- Monique Schmidt, Implementation Coordinator Engineering & Capex, AB InBev
- Celeste Le Roux, Founder and CEO, React Group
- Nosihle Dlamini, Senior Manager, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company South Africa
The speakers taking to the podium will reiterate the fact that having a career in STEM or in male populated sector is difficult, not impossible. With this in mind, the organisers have set out to not only profile women who have already made it to the top but also aim to identify new, upcoming talent, the future Manager, CEO’s of SA. Each year Pinpoint Stewards ensure that the panel of speakers are not repeated, to give exposure to more women over the years and profiling their contributions made to these sectors.
In addition to the above, this year’s theme is aimed at changing statistics and making women aware of opportunities available to them through the It’s DUE series of conferences to Develop, Unite and Empower women across various professional careers. Statistics show that only 13% of STEM graduates in South Africa are women. This is under par when compared to the global average of 35%. Widening the scope, women hold just 28% of STEM-related jobs. When magnifying the engineering sector/s this alarmingly shows even lower participation, with less than 25% of candidate engineers being women and only 6% achieving professional status.
To date, the “it’s DUE” series of conferences have brought women to the forefront across various sectors making their contribution to the economy more visible. Not leaving young talent behind, Pinpoint Stewards include 10 young professionals, as nominated by Universities and Tertiary institutions to attend each day of the conference and introduce them to mentors and job shadowing opportunities during contact sessions.
“Over a period of more than 20 years within the conference industry we have seen great movement in industries not only in the audiences who attend, but seeing more women making it to the top while taking women with them – that is what drives us – to see women gain the needed skill and courage to step up to a career or raise their hand to lead. It’s not about your presence but your performance and women need to ensure they are equipped. The panel of speakers are specifically selected to harness home-grown talent and prove that we indeed have-what-it-takes to lead, right here, within the borders of South Africa,” says Sudhira Sewsunker, Pinpoint Stewards.
Direct all enquiries to Ankia Roux, Co-Owner of Pinpoint Stewards at ankia@pinpointstewards.co.za to speak, support, exhibit or attend. Register before 15 January for priority booking discounts.
