Female metallurgist challenges male-dominated industry

International Women’s Day was celebrated on Sunday.

This day is about reflecting on the progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

Women are breaking down walls and entering male-dominated industries where gender equality still remains an issue.

According to the UN, legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men.

This year’s theme was I Am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights.

The theme is aligned with the UN women’s new multi-generational campaign.

The GCN had the opportunity to talk to a young woman who is challenging and making her mark in a male-dominated industry.

ALSO READ: Making her way in a male-dominated sector

Germiston-born 24-year-old Andiswa Biyela is a physical metallurgist at a local company.

Physical metallurgy is the science of making useful products out of metals.

Andiswa said she has always been fascinated by the metals and materials.

“I was always trying to understand metals and wanted to learn about their properties, behaviour and applications,” said Andiswa.

When the opportunity opened in Veer Steel Mills through their training programme she was happy to be part of the programme.

“As a young woman, fresh out of varsity the programme helped me gain all the skills I needed to kick-start my career in the metallurgical field,” said Andiswa.

She said her journey was not easy because the field is a predominantly male-dominated environment and industry.

“Working with males was challenging at first because they tend to underestimate my abilities and strengths as a female, and they see the need to assist in certain duties.

“However, over time they learnt that metallurgy is not a gender-based field and they were able to share their skills and knowledge,” said Andiswa.

Even though she can do her job well just like her male colleagues, she continues to face challenges in her work.

“I face challenges on a daily basis.

“Like, I would be regularly given tasks to complete such as conducting research, report writing and planning, rather than more hands-on work because they feel that I do not have enough strength and I might injure myself while performing the task.

“The other challenge I face is not being taken seriously.

“My manager would instruct me to get people to do a certain task,” said Andiswa.

“When I went to give people that task they would hardly listen to me because I’m younger than them and I’m a female, they do not see me as a leader.

“With such challenges I’m not given the opportunity to show my capabilities and potential.

ALSO READ: Hirsch’s nominated for top gender empowerment award

The GCN asked her if her industry is ready for women?

“The industry is not completely ready, however it’s getting there.

“I think it also depends on the company.

“At my company it is definitely getting there; more females are brought into the company.

“They are exposed to the environment and are given an opportunity to show their potential,” said Andiswa.

The GCN asked her if she sees a future for her in the industry.

“I definitely see a future for me.

“My plans are to grow in the industry in terms of skills, knowledge and experience.

“Also, I plan to focus on a specific field of metallurgy and study further in that field,” said Andiswa.

The GCN also asked her what her advice to young women who are looking into industries that are predominantly male would be.

“My advice to them is to do their research about the industry so that they can have confidence and know what to expect in that industry.

“I would also advise them not to be scared to stand out, to showcase their strengths and abilities.

“As long as they know where they want to be, they set goals for themselves and work hard to achieve those goals then they will make it in any industry,” she said.

Andiswa did physical sciences and mathematics as her main subjects in high school.

She studied at the University of Johannesburg and did physical metallurgy, mechanical metallurgy, project metallurgy and production of iron and steel as the main modules.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.

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