Keynote address:lessons to be learnt from the pioneering lady civil engineers

Abstract

Before the emergence of the new South Africa, the profile of civil engineers in the country was white male with a handful of females. Since the nineties, women have increasingly chosen civil engineering as a career, and by 2020, 29% of graduate civil engineers were female. Recent research on the careers, challenges and successes of the pioneering lady civil engineers who will be 70 years and older in 2024 has highlighted key factors which contribute to a successful career in civil engineering. Many have made significant contributions to the roads and transport sector working on improving pavement designs, materials, durability and sustainability while others have concentrated on road safety and yet others on upgrading or developing thousands of kilometres of national and rural roads, both locally and internationally as far afield as India and Sumatra! Their no holds barred approach offers insight for all on their professional journey, including the need to keep learning, being prepared to go the second mile and constantly striving to be the best of breed. The presentation will cover many interesting careers and lessons to be learnt from our pioneering ladies.