Johannesburg — August 21, 2025
The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) celebrated resilience, education, and leadership at its annual Women of Steel Conference, held at the Komatsu Africa Holdings Training Centre in Germiston. The event, themed Ignite. Forge. Lead., brought together a panel of female leaders who shared personal stories of perseverance in industries still largely dominated by men.
Facilitator Honey Mamabolo opened the conference by urging delegates to move “from forging ahead to forging together,” setting the tone for a day centred on collaboration, mentorship, and lifelong learning.
Pam du Plessis, managing director of Invincible Valves, recalled the resistance she faced stepping into a male-dominated space. She said educating herself on the technical aspects of her industry gave her credibility. “Today I can strip a valve and reassemble it,” she told attendees, noting that emotional intelligence also helped her connect with her teams.
Education was a recurring theme. Homera Kadwa, director at Thuthukisa Advisory & Consulting and project manager at the SEIFSA Training Centre, urged women to remain “teachable and coachable,” while Rand Mutual Assurance’s head of prevention, Jessica Hutchings, said her PhD in psychology and engineering helped her gain respect in boardrooms. “The title of doctor changed how I was perceived and received,” she explained.
In a departure from tradition, the conference featured one male panellist: Sylvester Makamu, group human capital director at ACTOM. He described himself as “an ally for women in the industry,” honouring his late mother and committing to initiatives that empower women in the workplace.
Other speakers included Colleen Commons, managing director of BSI Steel, who advised women to “fake it until you make it” while prioritising listening and learning, and Natalie Van Vreden, CEO of the Plastic Convertors Association of South Africa (PCASA). Van Vreden, the only female CEO in her industry, described how she overcame resistance from colleagues who resigned after her appointment. “You are never too important to make a difference — rather be humble,” she said, noting that her hardships prepared her for leadership.
The conference also incorporated a philanthropic element. Entrance was free, but attendees were asked to donate sanitary towels for young girls. SEIFSA confirmed that more than 327 packs were collected for the Menstruation Foundation, a non-profit organisation working to combat period poverty in South Africa.
By the end of the day, the “Steel Sisters — and Brother” left the audience with a message that strength, empathy, and determination are as critical as technical knowledge in reshaping the metals and engineering sector.
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