WOMEN LEADERS CHAMPION CHANGE AT BUILT ENVIRONMENT SEMINAR IN PRETORIA

Article by Nolwazi Ndhlovu & Pictures by Mahlogonolo Makwela

08 August 2025

In a powerful gathering aimed at empowering and celebrating women in the construction and infrastructure sectors, the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) hosted the Built Environment Women in Leadership Seminar today, at the Anew Hotel in Pretoria’s Central Business District (CBD).

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The event, held on the eve of National Women’s Day, brought together professionals, policymakers, and students who reflected on the progress made, and the path forward for women in the built environment.

Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, emphasised the historical and symbolic significance of the seminar’s setting. “It is an honor to take part in this seminar held in the same city where women, protesting apartheid pass laws, marched in 1956,” Zikalala said. “Today’s seminar is opportune to a world where we are seeing more women leaders. Women continue to break man-made ceilings, inspiring generations to rise, speak up, and reimagine the world anew.”

The seminar highlighted both the achievements and ongoing challenges faced by women in sectors traditionally dominated by men. Key voices included Kholofelo Morodi, MMC of Corporate and Shared Services at the City of Tshwane, who called for structural change: “We envision a future where women do not have to fight to prove themselves.”

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CBE CEO Msizi Myeza reiterated the council’s commitment to driving transformation in the sector. “Through advocacy and support, we urge young women to pursue careers in the built environment and work to promote women leaders from within,” Myeza stated.

Throughout the seminar, speakers and participants shared insights on leadership, mentorship, and gender equity, with a focus on ensuring inclusive participation in shaping South Africa’s infrastructure and urban landscapes. As the country commemorates Women’s Month, today’s seminar stood not only as a celebration but as a call to action—to empower, elevate, and expand opportunities for women across all disciplines of the built environment.