Under the banner of Brewing the Bold, SAB have assembled a stellar cast of five women who are dominating in their respective fields to share their expertise and brew a once-off, limited edition beer in honour of Women’s Month.
Apiwe Nxusani Mawela
Apiwe Nxusani Mawela
35 year-old, mother of two, Apiwe Nxusani Mawela is the Brewmaster heading up the campaign.
Can you please give some background to what you do?
In 2015, I started my own company, Brewsters, which focused purely on providing training and consultation services to the craft beer industry. Since then the company has grown into three segments. In addition to accredited brewer training courses and consultancy services, Brewsters now offers contract brewing in our own fully equipped 1000l brewery in Roodepoort as well as full laboratory services to other microbreweries to ensure the quality of their products.
What was your first thought when you heard about the Brewing the Bold project?
My first thought was that this sounds like an amazing project, not only for women in the beer industry but also for women in general. I hope that this initiative provides inspiration to other women in the beer industry and show them that there are no limits to what you can achieve. They can become great brewers, brewmasters, hop growers, barley breeders, and these positions should be the norm rather than an exception.
Many people forget throughout time, it has been women who were responsible for making beer, especially here in Africa.
After meeting the rest of the Brewing the Bold team I’m happy to say that the excitement is warranted and I can’t wait to see the final product.
What is your role in the Brewing the Bold project?
Given my experience within the industry as a brewmaster, my role was to ensure that we brewed the best possible beer. One that represents and communicates all the key elements of the project in a refreshing beer that ticks all the right boxes.
What does Women’s Month represent to you?
Women’s Month is an important reminder of the power that we have as women, to not only influence change but also be instrumental in driving that change. It is a time for our country to reflect on how society treats women and to focus our energies on creating equal opportunities in the workplace.
During the Brewing the Bold project, I realised that women – regardless of background, race, industry – are all facing the same challenges, which could be better tackled if we tried to work together more.
What’s your advice to other women to continue rising up in their industries?
Never ever give up and never listen to anyone who says you’re not good enough.
Often women business leaders are under closer scrutiny and are sometimes even expected to fail. Of course, this is totally unfair, but the best response is to push even harder for excellence.
I believe that women should support each other in business and do all that they can to create space for more women to thrive in the corporate world.
Elbie Louw
Elbie Louw
In addition to being an experienced beer judge and avid home brewer, Louw is also the CEO of her own IT company, eCcenTrix Software Solutions.
Can you please give us some background to what you do?
My business involves developing IT applications for a number of corporate clients and SMMEs. I am gearing my business towards training and employing more female developers as there is still a lack of women in the technical fields within the IT industry.
Dealing with clients can sometimes be thirsty work, so in my spare time I love brewing craft beer at home for me and my husband to enjoy. I’ve always had a special affinity for beer, and I try to encourage more women to learn the art of brewing so that they can create their own beers according to their individual tastes. My husband and I are in the process of starting our own small brewery called Binary Brew Works, so this experience with SAB’s Brewing the Bold is invaluable for our future plans.
What was your first thought when you heard about the Brewing the Bold project?
I’m thrilled with the concept and honoured to be part of such an amazing team of women. There are not enough women in the beer industry and only a handful of women brewmasters in South Africa. I was fortunate enough to have worked with Apiwe before who is our team’s expert brewmaster, and meeting everyone else and working together to make this special beer was a wonderful experience. With SAB lending their considerable support, we are able to spread the message of women empowerment to a much larger audience.
What is your role in the Brewing the Bold project?
I was able to contribute to the team through my background as a beer judge and home brewer, providing the team with insights on the ingredients used, the flavour profile, and the look and feel of the packaging. Ultimately, I want to use this experience to motivate more women to follow their dreams and not let gender stereotypes get in their way.
What does Women’s Day represent to you?
It almost goes without saying that gender equality will make the world a much better place. This is an important day that draws society’s attention to issues women still face such as unequal opportunities in the workplace and unequal pay. It is also a call for all women to stand together to make their voices heard, but we need to maintain the focus and energy throughout the year – not just for one day.
What’s your advice to other women rising-up in their industries?
We, as mothers, are responsible for exposing our daughters to the same technical stimulus as our sons so that our daughters are not at a disadvantage should they enter a technical environment.
Being treated as an equal in the workplace is not negotiable. You might have to fight to be respected in a technical field and to be given the same opportunities at the same salary, but remember to always stand up for yourself, be consistent and persevere. You will get there.
Lynn Wicomb-Leibrandt
Lynn Wicomb-Leibrandt
Wicomb-Leibrandt is the Maltster, ensuring quality insurance of the limited edition beer.
Can you please give us some background to what you do?
I work at SAB as the External Quality manager for the Africa Zone. In addition to strong leadership skills, a passion for communication and people are very important in this position. One of my main responsibilities is to engage with key stakeholders and team members and help them focus on the right objectives so we can reach a common goal that benefits us all.
I’m committed to driving women empowerment both in the workplace and in my personal capacity. In addition to preparing final year students for the transition from a learning environment to the business world, I also sit as the chairperson of the Department of Chemistry at Tshwane University of Technology where I provide guidance on critical decision making and the integration of a work & learning environment.
What was your first thought when you heard about the Brewing the Bold project?
What a fantastic idea and why have we not done this before! Women have been making and enjoying beer since the beginning of time, and this is a great way to dispel the notion that beer and the beer industry is patriarchal.
What is your role in the Brewing the Bold project?
In addition to providing support and commercial guidance, my role was to function as the interface between SAB and the team, ensuring that the finished product matches the highest quality which our consumers are accustomed to. I must add that it was a privilege working with a team of such inspirational women.
What does Women’s Day represent to you?
It is a time to ask ourselves if we are doing enough to support all women in our society. Relatively few women are in leadership roles, not to mention the extensive gap in pay scales from a gender perspective. We often see communication from companies who have impressive high-level strategies on gender-based equality, but very little about how this is practically integrated, and not enough success stories to validate their strategies.
Although I understand how important Women’s Day is for drawing attention to gender inequality, I still wish for a world where there is no need to celebrate what should really be the norm 365-days of the year.
What’s your advice to other women rising-up in their industries?
Build relations with successful women, both within and outside your industry, who can support you in various functions in the business environment. Once you’ve set your mind on a career path, your hunger and determination will be the measure of your success. And most importantly, never underestimate your capabilities and never sell yourself short.
