OPERATOR | De Hoop Nature Reserve

What training have you undertaken to perform this role?

Chainsaw Operator training

Brush-cutter Operator training

Road Maintenance training

Snake Identification and Awareness training

Basic Fire Fighting training

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Knowing how to operate the machinery efficiently and navigating the challenges that comes along with machine maintenance. Every day, there is something new to learn.

How does your job promote gender-equality?

As a woman doing what was once thought to be a man's job, I feel great and brave at the same time. This shows that if you put your mind to something, you will almost certainly achieve it.

What is your motivation to young women who would like to do what you do?

I believe that men and women did not have equal rights during the apartheid era. Thankfully times have changed, and women can now achieve whatever they want. Women have tons of untapped potential, they just need to be self-motivated and self-assured. There are no boundaries to what you can do except the ones you set for yourself. One of the lessons I learned as a child was to always be loyal to yourself and never allow others to discourage you from your aspirations.

What are your achievements in your job?

I consider my training, roughly 18 years of experience as an Operator, and the time I have spent at CapeNature to be achievements. I have also made direct and indirect contributions to the management of Protected Areas.

What is a challenge and how do you overcome it?

It was something I have never done before. However, I overcame all challenges by remaining positive and focused.

Challenges are a necessary part of growth.

MACHINE OPERATOR | Riverlands Nature Reserve

What training have you undertaken to perform this role?

I received training in first aid, health & safety, firefighting, gabion stacking, security, brush cutting, pre-sea, snake handling, computer programmes, herbicide application and office administration.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy that it challenges me. The fact that we work in nature conservation puts us in the field all day and we often experience challenges. This excites me because I get to learn regularly.

How does your job promote gender equality?

It feels good to fulfill a role which people thought were only meant for men. I know people might underestimate my skills and capability given that I work with a chainsaw four to five hours a day. My colleagues have told me the way I’m cutting and handling the chainsaw “kan n man sy skoene agterna gooi”. The woman who trained me and to whom I look up to is Nicole Breda, Field Ranger at Riverlands Nature Reserve.

What is your motivation to young women who would like to do what you do?

Just do it! Men have two hands and ten fingers and so do we.

What are your achievements in your job?

I can fight fires, do fence maintenance and operate a chainsaw and brush cutter. I can also identify plants and animal species and I take pride in this.

What is a challenge and how do you overcome it?

Two years ago my biggest challenge was operating the chain saw. My fear got the best of me. I overcame my fears, and I am stronger than ever due to using the machines daily. Practice makes perfect!

Who inspires you?

Women who do men’s jobs are my heroes. I salute these women. Nothing is impossible.

FTE SUPERVISOR | Walker Bay Nature Reserve

What training have you undertaken to perform this role?

Supervisory Course, Basic Firefighting, Health & Safety, First Aid level 1, Plant Identification, Field Safety & Survival,

Herbicide Application and Mapping (GPS).

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I like that it gives me the opportunity to gain additional skills and that I get to work with different people. I also really enjoy being a supervisor.

How does your job promote gender-equality?

A long time ago there were mainly men in the position of supervisors. Fortunately, now we have the same opportunities as women.

What is your motivation to young women who would like to do what you do?

Be patient when people give instructions; do not panic. When there are no supervisors around, feel confident enough to speak to the Manager and request tasks for that day.

What are your achievements in your job?

I started as a General Worker and now I am a supervisor. I have achieved a lot. I know skills such as how to erect and mend fences. I used to think it’s a man’s job to fix water pipes, but I now know how to do it myself!

What is a challenge and how do you overcome it?

When providing instructions to the teams, this can sometimes be misinterpreted and result in conflict.

Any sage advice?

Women’s Month means a lot to me, because it highlights how much women actually have on their plate. I am a single mother, raising three children with a single salary. I’m very proud that my first child is now at university.