The Durban University of Technology’s Gender Forum hosted 20 girls from Bonela Secondary School, Durban, as part of their Take a Girl Child to Work Day initiative.

The take a girl child to work campaign is an annually held event which aims to motivate, encourage and give young girls exposure to a variety of careers that they can pursue after high school. The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment encouraged the girls visiting their Faculty to take on mathematics and physical science at school level so they would be able to pursue engineering as a career because of the great demand for young female engineers in South Africa.

“Let us as women break the cycle of being boxed and labelled as ‘mothers and wives’. We are more than that. Therefore, it’s our duty to uplift and grow our communities through that. Times have changed. We have become modern women who hold leadership positions in the workplace and strive for success as well and I really hope one day to see all of you beautiful young ladies back here in three years time to further your studies,” said DUT Registrar, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa.

“Today has been such a wonderful experience and most probably one of the best days of my life,” said Ida Kasonga, one of the pupils. “We were treated like queens and also got the opportunity to know more about the different careers one can get into the field of science. The future for me and the rest of the girls looks very bright and promising,” said

– Ntsiki Mthabela

Pictured: Some of the pupils at the DUT Gender Forum Take a Girl Child to Work Day initiative.