Women still to be celebrated after Women’s Month

Working as a stage manager at Joburg Theatre means that Miza Ngaye is surrounded by male coworkers, but rather than being intimidated by the male-dominated working environment, Ngaye uses the opportunity and platform to excel and exceed expectations.

“Six years ago, when I joined the City’s entertainment entity, I felt like my male colleagues wanted to do my job for me because I was a woman and they thought, honestly speaking, it was a man’s world,” said Ngaye.

She said, at the time, there was only one other female stage manager, who left soon after Ngaye began working there.

“Over the years, I’ve had to teach my colleagues how to treat me and for them not to see me as different, but as their equal.”

She said that although it was not the easiest thing to do, she had to work twice as hard to prove she was capable. “Being a stage manager requires physical strength and I’ve proven, time and time again, that I’m stronger than I look,” she said.

Before she joined the Joburg Theatre, she worked at the State Theatre in Pretoria and Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

“We still live in a society that believes there are jobs for males and jobs for females, whereas in reality, a job is a job. There are thousands of strong women out there who are doing well in male-dominated fields,” Ngaye noted.

The Joburg Theatre has exposed her to many other wonderful women who are doing great things and are passionate about theatre. “The City supports women and we’re encouraged to reach our full potential,” Ngaye said.

She said during the National Women’s Month in August, the Joburg Theatre showcased women’s shows, such as Supreme Divas and Sisters in Song. She said that for her to be part of bringing women-based productions to life was fulfilling.

Ngaye added that another aspect that makes her job so fulfilling is youth development. For the past four years, she has been working at Space.com, an arm of the theatre that focuses on youth development.

She said in the six years that she has been with the theatre, she has been afforded the opportunity to expand her skills. Ngaye is currently working on the Joburg Youth Alive, part of Arts Alive which will take place from 15 to 18 September.

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