The usual clang of steel, dust of cement, and grit of construction boots were replaced by the sparkle of sequined gowns, the click of high heels, and the warmth of heartfelt applause as scores of women in South Africa’s construction industry gathered at The Houghton Hotel for the 6th annual cidb Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards.
Thursday night was an evening where hard hats gave way to hairstyles, and reflective vests were swapped for red-carpet glamour — yet the stories behind the smiles revealed the grit, resilience, and unshakable determination that built the foundations for this night of celebration.
“Professionalism and competence know no gender”
Opening the event, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson lauded the women who have challenged and broken through the industry’s stubborn stereotypes.
“Our goal is to advocate and equip women to compete in the open market and win, because they are capable, qualified and competitive,” he said, pledging to champion women in construction for the rest of his term.
Macpherson underscored the far-reaching impact of women-led projects. “Every project completed creates employment, stimulates local suppliers, and leaves behind infrastructure that enables further growth. When women lead and succeed in construction, those benefits multiply.”
A glittering showcase of achievement
Hosted by the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb), the awards recognised excellence across 18 categories — from project delivery and rural development to manufacturing, innovation, and mentorship.
Cidb CEO Bongani Dladla reflected on how far the industry has come since the awards’ inception. “Whether starting their own companies or leading major infrastructure builds, these women bring resilience, innovation, and empathy to every project. We are changing the culture of this industry.”
Cidb Chairperson Khulile Nzo praised the platform for creating “real opportunities for emerging female contractors” and ensuring women are at the decision-making table.
Stories beyond the awards
Among the winners was Lindiwe Mathenjwa of Emadwaleni Holding, who scooped the Project Delivery Excellence (Grades 2-4) award for her work upgrading school sanitation in the Eastern Cape. Her voice trembled as she thanked her support network.
“Sometimes it’s not easy to be a mother in this industry,” she said. “This project meant leaving my children for the whole week. They needed me when writing exams, but my mother stepped in. This award is for her as much as it is for me.”
Another standout was Makoma Julia Matlala, who not only won Project Delivery Excellence (Grades 5-6) but also Rural Project of the Year for building 36 walk-up housing units in Obed “Mthombeni” Nkosi Extension 2. Her projects have transformed entire neighbourhoods, bringing dignity and stability to families who previously lived in overcrowded or unsafe conditions.
The Exceptional Woman in Construction award went to Mampho Sotshongaye of Gold Rewards1981cc, recognised both for her hands-on work building culverts and drains and for her mentorship programme, “Each One, Teach One.” Sotshongaye’s initiative has guided dozens of young women into careers in construction, turning her own success into a springboard for others.
And the prestigious Chairman’s Award went to Allyson Lawless, a retired structural engineer whose decades-long career has been defined not just by technical excellence but by her commitment to nurturing young talent. “The most satisfying part of my career has been to see young people grow and succeed,” she said. “This award is the cherry on top.”
Building futures, not just buildings
The night was more than just a celebration — it was a reminder of the transformative power of representation. Many attendees spoke of how seeing women lead complex builds, run multimillion-rand companies, or manage community infrastructure projects changed how young girls in their communities viewed their own possibilities.
For winners like Suzan Portia Phalane, who took home both Project Delivery Excellence (Grades 7 and up) and Transformation Entity of the Year, success is measured not only in completed roads or drainage systems but in the jobs created for local women and youth.
Taryn Beaton, named Woman with Disability Contractor of the Year, was honoured for her Standard Bank Water Project – a technical feat that proved disability is no barrier to excellence in a demanding industry.
A shift in the industry’s culture
While construction remains a male-dominated sector, events like the ERWIC Awards signal a cultural shift. Women are no longer confined to administrative roles or niche specialisations; they are leading major projects, founding companies, and mentoring the next generation.
The awards also emphasised that inclusion benefits the whole economy. As Macpherson noted, over 54 000 jobs were created through the Expanded Public Works Programme in the past year — a 4.6% increase — with women playing a growing role in delivering these opportunities.
More than a trophy
For many of the women, the award was less about personal recognition and more about validation for years of unseen sacrifice. Nights away from family, battling to secure contracts in a competitive market, overcoming dismissive attitudes on site — the trophies glittered, but the stories behind them were forged in persistence.
“This industry has taught me that foundations aren’t just for buildings,” Mathenjwa told African Times. “They are for people — for children who need schools, for families who need homes, and for women who need to know they can succeed anywhere.”
As the night ended and the gowns were packed away, the women of South African construction returned to their boots, overalls, and hard hats. The glitz of the ERWIC Awards was over, but the work — the real work of building communities, careers, and futures — was already waiting in the morning light.
Because for these women, the ERWIC Awards were never just the end of a project. They were a milestone in a much bigger build — the ongoing construction of a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient South Africa.
