" Since the gogga bit me , I ’ ve never looked backed ," – Revona Botha .
FEATURES
Zooming in on women in construction
With August being women ’ s month , we put the spotlight on women in the industry .
By Ntsako Khosa
Revona Alice Botha heads Robus Engineering Training Services and Bamboo Rock 1072 CC and believes she has a long road to travel . Image : Revona Botha
REVONA ALICE BOTHA , PR . CPM & PR . TECHNI , ENG , SAIEE ( SENIOR MEMBER )
With 27 years of experience under her belt , Botha qualified as the first black woman artisan electrician . “ Since the gogga bit me , I ’ ve never looked backed ,” she says .
Her journey in the industry has been exciting and amazing . “ Discovering and unleashing the potential women have in a man ’ s world with my qualities and characteristics is evident compared to any man in the building construction .” She represents the women in the industry by standing proudly and refusing to stand back . One of the things she ’ s realised is “ that nothing was challenging about the work itself but only overcoming the barriers placed over centuries that only men belong in this world .”
Over the years , she ’ s worked with and for many reputable companies like Spoornet for eight years , Eskom for 11 years and KV3 Engineers which later merged with Worley Parsons RSA for four years . She currently runs two of her own companies , Robus Engineering Training Services and Bamboo Rock 1072 CC . Despite being a key player in the industry , she feels she hasn ’ t reached her peak , “ I have just started , so the road is still long .” She is in the process of building a school of engineering and construction with an estimated completion by 2020 .
" Since the gogga bit me , I ’ ve never looked backed ," – Revona Botha .
Deborah Nomthandazo Radebe of Amaqhawe Construction and Projects finds inspiration from women in the industry . Image : Nomthandazo Radebe
DEBORAH NOMTHANDAZO RADEBE , DIRECTOR OF AMAQHAWE CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECTS
Radebe has been in the industry for a little over three years . She runs her own construction company and ventured into the industry because she “ was inspired by female companies who have been in the industry for long and made a mark in this so called ‘ male dominated industry ’. Some of them are South African Women in Construction ( SAWIC ) members ,” she says . “ What I love most about my job is that I ' m independent , I make my own decisions and the good relationship I have with my staff , they are so amazing always willing to help ,” she says .
The job has increased her confidence level as she does her own marketing and obviously has learnt many things and how to interact with people at all diverse levels . About the industry she says , “ Demand for construction has never been greater , I mean housing for people is always in demand .” Unavailability of building or slow delivery of materials has been the greatest challenge she ’ s come across in the industry .
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