During International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), which took place on June 23, multinational plant equipment manufacturer Bühler Johannesburg celebrated the role of its female engineers.

The company highlighted Bühler Johannesburg hardware engineer Shongeleni Beauty Chauke, an Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) technician candidate and an associate member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE).

She began as a learner technician at Palabora Copper Mine in 2018 and worked as a design engineer at EHL Engineering Group in 2019 before joining Bühler Johannesburg in November 2022.

“The opportunity to solve complex problems and witness tangible results that impact [on] various industries is what drives my passion for engineering,” commented Chauke.

She elaborated that being able to contribute her skills and expertise to projects that have real-world implications is incredibly fulfilling and motivates her to continually strive for excellence.

Further, she noted that Bühler Johannesburg is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where every employee feels valued and respected.

According to Chauke, the company has a variety of initiatives in place, including mentorship programmes, networking opportunities, and educational outreach efforts, to support and encourage the participation of women in engineering roles.

She explained that women greatly contributed to this year’s INWED theme of “#EnhancedbyEngineering” by bringing diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and unique problem-solving skills to the table.

Additionally, she noted that by actively engaging in engineering projects and initiatives, women showcased the transformative impact of their contributions through enhanced technological advancements and societal progress.

Chauke expressed that her message to girls aspiring to pursue a career in engineering is to be confident in their abilities and embrace the opportunities that come their way.

“Stay curious, keep learning, and believe in your potential to succeed in engineering,” Chauke stressed.

Meanwhile, Bühler Johannesburg project engineer Savannah Vorster had studied draughting at the African Academy in 2018. Following her studies, Bühler Johannesburg offered her a learnership in the engineering department to be part of the ‘Women in STEM’ engineering programme.

She officially started working for the company in 2019, and during her time at the company, she studied mechanical engineering part time, obtained her N6, and is currently furthering her mechanical engineering studies.

Additionally, she is studying toward her Certified Associate in Programme Management certification. Vorster recounted that she started out as a learner and slowly made her way up to a project engineer.

“I think women engineers are still underrepresented in the workplace. By highlighting women in engineering, young girls can see that anything is possible with hard work and determination,” Vorster stated, highlighting the importance of INWED.

She noted that it is important to celebrate these women and give them the recognition they deserve, and that “#EnhancedbyEngineering” did exactly that.

“To all the young girls, the only thing stopping you from doing what you want to do is yourself. You have the creativity, intelligence, and determination to excel in anything you choose to do,” Vorster asserted.