2017 Women in Construction Awards finalists revealed

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 24 May at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

“WICA is segmented into eight categories to cater for female contribution across the broad construction industry spectrum,” says awards director Athi Myoli. “The sheer number of nominations received from around the African continent has been overwhelming and this positive response is testimony to the many successes in the industry deserving recognition.”

Individual awards finalists:

Pioneer of Innovation Award (sponsored by NHBRC) - honouring a woman who is passionately and innovatively leveraging new technology, information, processes or management systems with the aim of becoming more proactive and productive:

• Duduzile Ndwandwe, GSC Holdings Pty (Ltd) and Romalax Properties Pty Ltd
• Glorina Nyatshoba, Newglo Trading, South Africa
• Grizelda Du Toit, Afrisam, South Africa
• Margaret Ezekiel, National Housing Corporation, Tanzania
• Nina Ndichu, Mimari Limited, Tanzania
• Riefqah Abrahams, Archi Cape Town, South Africa
• Shaakira Chohan, Johannesburg Development Agency, South Africa
• Sandi Mbutuma, Azzaro Quantity Surveyors (Pty) Ltd, South Africa

New Starter of the Year Award (under 30 years) - saluting an up-and-comer who has been identified as the ‘one to watch’ as they gain a foothold within their field:

• Halima Simutu, National Housing Corporation, Tanzania
• Monique Kriek, Osmand Lange Architects and Planners, South Africa
• Mpilo Ntuli, Tiber Construction (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
• Nomvuyo Hlophe - Sibanyoni, VIP Property Planning and Property Development, Swaziland

Young Entrepreneur / Rising Star Award (under 40 years) - recognising an inspirational leader for her dedication to shaping the future of construction in Africa:

• Dr Bianca Shakinovsky, Pentafloor (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
• Siyasanga Qomoyi, Sesi Q Trading, South Africa
• Thandiwe Solo, Atisa Bokgabane Trading cc, South Africa
• Thatho Mokhothu, Refilwe Tshiamo Trading South Africa
• Tosin Dabiri, Purple Capital Partners, Nigeria

Woman in Media and Communications Excellence Award - rewarding extraordinary talent in delivering information to and about the industry:

• Elsonia Swarts, Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, South Africa
• Gill Owens, Concrete Trends Journal, South Africa
• Mapule Mphaki, Ms Curvybody SA, South Africa

Woman in Concrete: Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Standard Bank) – acknowledging outstanding efforts and enduring contribution to the concrete sector:

• Deborah Terhune, Growing Up Africa, South Africa
• Dr Thandi Ndlovu, Motheo Construction Group, South Africa
• Dr Snowy Khoza, Bigen Africa Group, South Africa
• Gill Owens, Concrete Trends Journal, South Africa
• Margaret Ezekiel, National Housing Corporation, Tanzania
• Muthoni Kuria, Reata Serviced Apartments, Kenya

Woman in Architecture Award (sponsored by SAIA) - recognising the woman who is excelling in the male-dominated architectural profession:

• Althea Peacock, Lemon Pebble Architects, South Africa
• Dael Janine Fairbairn, Erasmus Fairbairn Architects, South Africa
• Gillian Holl, Veld Architects, South Africa
• Judith Paterson, Boogertman & Partners, South Africa
• Karuni Naidoo, CNN Architects cc, South Africa
• Liana Els Claasen, Liana Claasen Architects, South Africa
• Mira Fassler-Kamstra, South Africa
• Monique Karen, Gillespie Architects, South Africa
• Nadia Tromp, Ntsika Architects, South Africa
• Rahdia Parker, Archi Cape Town, South Africa

Organisational Awards finalists:

Excellence in Career Development Award - honouring the extraordinary efforts of a company or public agency to promote leadership and career advancement amongst women in the industry through mentoring, educational activities and networking:

• Archi Cape Town, South Africa
• KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works & Infrastructure, South Africa
• National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), South Africa

Most Innovative Women Training Programme - rewarding an external training provider, department within the public sector or company with an in-house training programme that upskills individuals and women-owned SMMEs:

• KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works’ Bursary and Internship Programme
• Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s EPWP Contractor Development Programme
• SEDA Construction Incubator
• Women on Edge Civil Contractors
• Robus Engineering Training Services (Pty) Ltd

“This year's awards aim to shine a light on the number of women in the industry, particularly as they are still under-represented, with the percentage of female graduates in engineering still below 20% in many countries on the continent,” concludes Myoli.

Minister of Women in the Presidency Susan Shabangu will be delivering the closing address at the event which is co-located with the African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo.

For more info, go to www.womeninconstruction.co.za.