From glitz and glamour to dirty and dusty overalls, Shanice Narian can transcend both worlds.
The Dannhauser girl is currently based at Magdalena Colliery in the Electrical Department where she’s doing a one year course through the Dannhauser Municipality.
Eager to break the stereotype and do something different, Shanice was excited but also nervous at the thought of the new experience. As the only Indian female there, she wanted a challenge and also prove that women could do anything a man could do. “It was tough at first being in a male dominated world and I was often underestimated. But after proving I can do anything as good as the guys, they don’t treat me any differently now.”
A normal day involves cleaning up the plant or doing maintenance on it, which inevitably leads to getting dirty. While not afraid to get dirty and be covered in coal dust, the one thing Shanice can’t do without is her lipstick. She doesn’t mind her hair or nails getting messed up but makes sure her lipstick is ‘right’ before going out. She hopes that more Indian women will also get out of their comfort zones and not be afraid to do what they love.
Shanice is out to prove that she, and all women, can do anything as good as a man.
“Do something you’re passionate about, stand out and be different. It’s such a great feeling when you prove that you can do something as good as a man.”
Despite only having done the job for four months, Shanice has fallen in love with the profession and workplace and considers it a second home already. She’s become so passionate about her job, that she now has started fixing appliances around the homes as well.
Her favourite part of the whole experience so far has being going underground. While her dad is OK with the idea, her mum wasn’t too keen with her going underground. Many friends are also shocked when they see her in overalls walking around dirty, assuming that she would be wearing heels in an office somewhere, but that’s not her.
Shanice is out to prove that she, and all women, can do anything as good as a man.
