Women in the Lifting Industry: Career Journey and Insights
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Academic Qualifications
Matric. Education should not be the reason you do not achieve your goals. if you put your heart into it and work hard, you can achieve anything.
First Employer
Eagle Canyon Spur, Amanzimtoti.
First Salary
As a waitress, I earned R12.80 an hour + tips. Once promoted to Cashier I earned R3500 a month.
Career history prior to current position
A sales consultant at a well-known bakery, consulting on different wedding and birthday cakes.
Achievements
I pride myself on balancing my work and personal life. My greatest achievement is being a loving wife and raising two precious boys! Moving over from the baking industry was a challenge but I kept my head high and didn’t allow for fear and doubt to take the lead. I am grateful to the industry experts that have helped mould me, always being a phone call away and ready to answer my silly questions. I’m passionate about safety within the industry and am hungry to keep learning.
Challenges in Industry as far as lifting is concerned
The Lifting Industry is currently facing a crisis, one that directly affects businesses today and will without a doubt have a massive impact on the future of the industry. One can spend hours debating on how it got to this stage, but reality is, there is a massive skill shortage in the country.
There are only 112 active ECSA registered LMI’s with just over 500 LME’s. Looking at what the law states, these figures shouldn’t be possible, but its reality, which in itself is a major red flag for the industry.
Furthermore, a lack of LMI’s poses the risk of companies having to cut corners, allowing LMI’s to test outside of their scope, sending Crane Technicians or LTI’s to do the actual inspections and having an LMI sign it off – posing tremendous safety risks.
Government, Associations, LMI’s, LME’s and other industry experts – now is the time to join forces, share knowledge and empower the younger generation, the future of the lifting industry depends on it.
Advice to offer
You are in charge of your own destiny. Do not let others tell you what you can and cannot achieve, nor wait on them to reach your goals. Follow that fire within you, get up, work hard and reach for the stars.
Management style
I have an open-door policy. Having a good relationship with your team is just as important as building lasting customer relationships. Should anyone in the team have suggestions or challenges, I want to hear about it.
Together we can work on a plan to improve, adapt, and overcome. I believe that knowledge should be shared, take what you’ve learnt and carry it over. Our nation’s future depends on empowering the generations to come, and that can only be done by sharing your knowledge.
Something fun nobody knows about you
Since entering the industry, I’ve wanted to go up on a tower crane but then my fear of heights kicks in, so I’ll settle for driving a Forklift instead.
Person who has had the biggest influence on your life
The generations of strong warrior women that paved the way before me: my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother. Their love and kindness towards others inspire me to be better and their years of wisdom has taught me so much.
Person who has had the biggest influence on your career
My current Managing Director, Surita Marx. Surita is a strong independent businesswoman, that doesn’t allow anything to stand in the way of her ambition. She is incredibly knowledgeable and uses that to empower others.
Women in lifting industry.
Lifting Placements
+27 (0) 87 700 9834
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