According to PAMSA, it's a wonderful place for women to thrive. 

"Forestry found me," says Nonkululeko Ntinga, a 33-year-old nursery manager at Mondi South Africa responsible for nurturing and dispatching 20-million plants per year.

According to PAMSA, Ntinga is one of the many women who are encouraging others to follow a career in the industry. This is due to a maths and science enrichment programme, a female mentor and exposure to the opportunities offered by forestry and paper companies. 

Ntinga explains in a video produced by 'She is Forestry' that some of the challenges she had overcome in her career were linked to her education.

"Having gone to a school that didn't have strong maths and science teaching, I never thought that this is where I would end up," she says.   

Through Protec (Programme for Technological Careers), Ntinga was attracted by the array of maths and science-focused careers on offer in the forestry industry. 

According to the World Economic Forum's 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, women make up only 29.2% of all Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths workers and almost half (49.3%) of total employment across non-STEM occupations. The report also states that 42.7% of South African STEM graduates are female.

The forest and forest products sector, one of South Africa's essential industries has, however, been empowering women for many years to find their place among the trees, in research laboratories, in boardrooms or on a production line, says PAMSA. 

CEO of Mondi South Africa Viv McMenamin says, "When I look at the change that has happened across the industry in two decades, I find it truly remarkable. Everywhere I look, I see forestry creating opportunities for young women to take up STEM careers and they are grabbing them with both hands. We still have a lot of work to do, but the progress being made is encouraging."

Jane Molony, executive director of PAMSA, adds, "The strides that women have made in this industry make me excited for what's to come. You just have to look at the diversity of roles to know that the old trope that it is a man's world is on its way out the door."

"For young women considering STEM career paths, the forest and forest product sector presents a canvas of possibilities, and we are fortunate to have a trove of stories and examples of how women are thriving in their roles and contributing meaningfully to their businesses, peers and wider communities," adds Molony. 

Closing the gap

Mondi South Africa's Doni Sithole holds qualifications in forestry, financial management, business management and international leadership development, and has spent her career fighting fires — in the field and figuratively — breaking barriers and mentoring other female foresters.

Engineering a path for women

Mahlogonolo Precious Mafela, process engineer in training at Mpact and a student in PAMSA's Master of Engineering bursary programme, is still fairly new to the working world but loves the unpredictable nature of her job. Mafela encourages women to pursue a career in engineering.

"I am an example of the many opportunities that exist for female engineers who are interested in manufacturing, particularly paper manufacturing," she says.  

Kelly Glen, technical manager at Sappi's Tugela Mill in northern KwaZulu-Natal has worked across various parts of the process engineering pipeline. Her advice to women entering the industry is, "Take your time to explore your options and grab opportunities to job shadow, as these will help give a better understanding of what the role entails."

Nine years ago, Khethiwe Mbhamali of Mpact's Mkhondo Mill started as an apprentice and after relentlessly pursuing continuous learning and acquiring two decades of experience as an instrument technician, she is now a maintenance planner.

As someone who understands that a good education and the necessary qualifications will unlock doors, Mbhamali is completing her second degree in project management.

Beyond the trees

PAMSA says that the forest sector is about more than farming trees and making paper; it spans an entire chain of roles from:
  • processing wood into pulp and paper products
  • engaging in office-based and business functions, and
  • finding value in what mills previously regarded as 'waste' streams.

Linnell Govender, product manager for Sappi's Biotech Lignin, began her career as a laboratory intern at a chemicals company. Her research and development experience in bio-processing and agro-processing merges with her process engineering expertise.

Govender says, "I am an example of how being open-minded and having self-confidence can take you far in your career, regardless of your gender."

Ntinga echoes the sentiment of countless women in the sector that mentorship and role models are key to shifting male-dominated paradigms.

"I've not only been able to establish myself in the sector but also put myself in a position to be able to help other women thrive," she says.

Once relegated to a few roles, women now hold diverse positions across the industry — from research scientists and forestry contractors to policymakers and CEOs. The industry has become a nursery for young talented women interested in growing their STEM and a host of other careers.

"It's not just a job, it's a platform to shape the future of our planet," concludes Molony.

For more information, visit www.thepaperstory.co.za. You can also follow PAMSA on Facebook, X or on Instagram.