In the last decade, South Africa has experienced a remarkable increase in the number of women entering infrastructure engineering. According to the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA), women made up just 12% of its professional members in 2005. By 2015, this number had grown to 23%, and today, women represent 30% of the institute’s members.
IMESA attributes this steady rise not to formal gender policies but to shifting societal norms and the natural progression of opportunities in the engineering sector. IMESA’s dedication to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for all engineers has played a pivotal role.
IMESA president Geoff Tooley outlines the institute’s approach to inclusion: ‘We’ve never implemented specific gender equity strategies or formal policies. Instead, we’ve built a professional home for all municipal engineers, focusing on technical excellence, ethics, and service to communities. Inclusion has followed naturally.’
In honour of Women’s Month, IMESA launched its #IMESAseesU – Women in Engineering campaign. This initiative celebrates women’s achievements in municipal engineering and infrastructure development, spotlighting their professional excellence and contributions to the industry.
Inspiring women leading the way
Bhavna Soni made history as IMESA’s first female president. With over 27 years of experience in eThekwini Municipality’s water and sanitation services, Soni’s journey highlights her resilience and passion for solving infrastructure challenges.
‘When I joined, female engineers were extremely rare. With a passion for physics, maths, and problem-solving, I wanted to make an impact, especially in water infrastructure where needs are urgent,’ says Soni.
Soni successfully navigated a male-dominated field by embracing challenges, relying on family support, and maintaining a solution-focused mindset. She stresses the importance of perseverance: ‘Engineering is about solving problems—technical and human ones. Gender should never be a limitation.’
Jeanine du Preez, IMESA’s Marketing and Communications Operations Director, has been part of the municipal engineering landscape for more than two decades. Currently serving as District Head for Urban Mobility, Roads Infrastructure Management in Cape Town, her career was inspired by a stint in the South African Army Women’s College.
‘Engineering is the perfect blend of creativity and technicality,’ she says. Her involvement with IMESA since 2003 has provided her with countless leadership opportunities, helping her grow personally and professionally.
‘Although the field was male-dominated when I started, I’ve always been supported by organisations that value strong, diverse teams. Opportunities should be based on what a person brings to the table, not gender or race.’
Matseliso Fosa,Northern Provinces IMESA council member, combines hands-on experience with academic expertise. Her Master’s research at Wits University explored strategies for retaining women in the construction industry.
‘Representation is improving in technical roles, but women in senior leadership remain underrepresented.” Her engineering journey, inspired by early exposure to science, has been marked by both challenges and triumphs,’ she says.
Fosa is adamant about the need for meaningful organisational change: ‘Gender equality must be structural, not symbolic. This includes fair hiring practices, respectful environments, and targeted mentoring.’
The role of community and mentorship
IMESA’s inclusive ethos has helped countless women engineers grow into leaders. Soni, Du Preez, and Fosa all credit the professional community for creating opportunities that focus on skills, not gender. They now mentor and support upcoming engineers, pushing for a future where women can thrive equally.
All three leaders agree that engineering offers countless opportunities for women passionate about problem-solving and improving communities. They encourage young women to focus on self-belief, mentorship, and hard work.
The growing representation of women in South African infrastructure engineering brings measurable benefits. Diverse teams deliver innovative solutions while creating equitable environments that enhance community development. Transforming this traditionally male-dominated field ensures a brighter, more inclusive future for all South Africans.
