This is according to the Free State Department of Water and Sanitation’s Mogee Kumang, who says that various opportunities for women to break into these two mentioned sectors exist, however, not enough women know how to enter these industries as not enough information exists on this. 

Speaking to OFM News on Friday afternoon, Kumang said that for this purpose, the Department will host a workshop in Bloemfontein on Monday 19 August, where the department will elaborate on the opportunities that exist in these sectors, the supply chain processes to follow for success as well as other topics relevant to those seeking to break into these industries, which are normally male-dominated. This event, as well as several others that follow thereafter, form part of the Department’s Women’s Month itinerary, which seeks to promote awareness on the water sector and the various business and career opportunities women can pursue in this industry.

Following this workshop, as it celebrates Women’s Month, the Department will then take to various towns in the province to further promote and encourage women, including those currently attending school, to pursue careers in the water sector. 

“On the 21st, we will take to HTS Louis Botha Technical High School, where we will be engaging with female Grade 10 learners at the school and capacitate them on the opportunities available in Water and Sanitation. While we are there, we will also be advocating for these learners to take Mathematics and Science as part of their school subjects, so that they’ll be able to pursue careers as water technicians, scientists and engineers, as these currently have a shortage of women,” Kumang elaborated. 

As part of the Department’s visit to the Bloemfontein School, she also adds that the learners will be introduced to the graduates, who are currently in training at the provincial department so that they offer their personal accounts on what courses they took and how working in the industry is. 

Kumang is the provincial department’s Community Development Officer and works closely with communities and municipalities that are stakeholders of the Department, while Mohapi is heading up the workshop that will take place in Bloemfontein on Monday and works as a Director for the Water Support unit in the provincial department.

OFM News