Industry leaders, mentors and emerging professionals have joined a new Women of Steel programme designed to strengthen the pipeline of female leaders in South Africa's metals, engineering and manufacturing sectors.
The development of a stronger pipeline of female leaders in South Africa's metals, engineering and manufacturing sectors is the focus of the Women of Steel – Women's Leadership Mentoring Programme, launched by the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) in partnership with the Danish Industries (DI) Gender Inclusion Initiative.
Industry leaders, executives, mentors and mentees gathered on 28 May 2026 at the Southern Sun OR Tambo International Airport to launch the six-month pilot programme, which seeks to accelerate the advancement of women into leadership positions across the sector through structured mentorship, leadership development and professional support.
The programme forms part of a broader commitment to building a more inclusive and representative industry by equipping high-potential women with the skills, networks and confidence required to progress into senior leadership roles.
The curriculum is built around five core pillars:
