Few female matriculants are choosing a career in engineering and, to remedy this, Girl-Engineers (Girl-Eng), a subdivision of South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng), has been established to promote engineering career possibilities among girls at high school.

“Industry is the backbone of a country’s economy and engineers are the backbone of industry. Engineers have been called the creators of wealth and the quality of life of a society, but the lack of engineers is a worldwide problem, especially in South Africa,” says SAWomEng cofounder and Girl Eng coordinator Mabohlale Mampuru.

SAWomEng is a nonprofit, student-run body founded by Mampuru and Naadiya Moosajee at the University of Cape Town.

Mampuru tells Engineering News that there are five pillars at the core of the organisation’s philosophy. “Firstly, we aim to ‘ignite the engineering flame’, lest final-year engineering students are lured by the more lucrative or rather better-marketed commerce industry.

“We facilitate dialogue between delegates and key role-players in the industry. This acts as a catalyst for smoother working relations among the diverse engineering workforce. We provide mentorship, as challenges in the working world are not insurmountable when one has a wise adviser.

“We showcase the technical brilliance of our delegates and the refreshing perspectives their minds bring to the engineering industry. “Lastly, we celebrate and enshrine femininity.”

Girl-Eng is aimed at attracting female students in Grade 11 and Grade 12 into engineering.

Mampuru believes that women’s participation is an essential part of creating a successful modern, multifaceted society and that their involvement enriches an industry that is currently dominated by males.

Each year, SAWomEng hosts a national conference in Cape Town for female engineering students in their penultimate and final years at university. It is at this conference that ex-delegates volunteer for membership on the Girl-Eng committee.

Each Girl-Eng committee picks six schools in its respective province, of which three are privileged and three underprivileged schools. Delegates visit these schools in order to market the organisation and engineering as an occupation of choice for women.

The delegates also identify ten top performers in maths and science. These top performers are mentored by the Girl-Eng committee.

The students are invited to spend a ‘Day with SAWomEng’. This day is attended by sponsoring companies and modelled as a mini SAWomEng conference. One of these Girl-Eng Days is hosted in each of the following provinces: the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

“Girl-Eng will help the students find shadow work opportunities, bursaries and, if possible, facilitate one or two plant visits to get a glimpse into what the industry is all about. “We will provide them with information on engineering and ensure that the students have access to university applications and financial support,” she concludes.