Inspiration

Making the Industry Your Own

Refilwe Mosadi has a National Diploma in Building and Civil Engineering from Johannesburg Technical College. Refilwe is currently employed as a foreman by Ilima Projects. Her work, which she enjoys, involves reading drawings and implementing them practically. She is pleased by the experience that she is gaining. Refilwe started out working as a trainee for the Motheo Group. Her involvement with the Motheo Group was largely as a result of her association with Khuthaza which was then called Women for Housing.

In her final year of study Refilwe was introduced to Elizabeth O’Leary who at the time was presenting workshops to young women in the construction industry. Refilwe soon began assisting Elizabeth with workshops which she enjoyed since it allowed her to interact with industry role-players. At Women for Housing’s official launch event Refilwe met Dr. Thandi Ndlovu from Motheo Group. Refilwe says that she is very grateful to Elizabeth O’Leary and Dr. Thandi Ndlovu for taking an interest in her life and providing her with opportunities at a time when many doors were being closed to her both as a woman and as a new graduate.

Refilwe feels that it is an accomplishment for her to be able to make and trust her own decisions on site. That she is able to work without supervision and read drawings better than before gives her a sense of achievement. Refilwe never thought that she would find herself working in the construction industry but since she has and she loves her work she is determined to make the most of it. Refilwe says that it was not very easy in the early days “There were times when I thought that I did not belong in the industry. Initially my decisions were rejected by my co-workers on-site. I sometimes felt like they tried to make me look foolish, this just made me more determined to prove them wrong. I received a lot of support from Women for Housing and soon realised that I didn’t in-fact need their approval. I now trust myself more and know that I do belong in the construction industry.”

Refilwe is inspired by the women who work in general construction. Seeing their passion inspires her to work even harder. Her advice to other women is not to give up and to keep on working towards their own advancement.