Seventy years on: Building resilient economies through women in tooling

On 9 August 1956, over 20,000 women marched on Pretoria's Union Buildings in protest against the extension of apartheid pass laws to women. This event gave rise to the phrase "You strike a woman, you strike a rock," which remains relevant today as South Africa marks Women's Month 2026 under the theme "Building Resilient Economies for All." The source argues that building resilient economies requires utilizing the full workforce, and in the tooling industry, this is still a crucial focus.

The tooling industry, often underestimated, is foundational to South African manufacturing. Every pressed metal panel, injection-moulded component, and precision part in cars, planes, and supermarket goods passes through a toolmaker's hands first. South Africa faces a demographic challenge, as the unemployment rate for women stands at 37.5%, significantly higher than the national average of 33.6%. Manufacturing also shed 15,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026, despite the industry's need for qualified toolmakers.

South Africa has a low representation of women in engineering, with women comprising only 16% of registered engineering professionals. This gap exists not due to a lack of talented women, but because of the lack of mentorship, opportunities, and integration into male-dominated workshop cultures. Success stories include Charmaine Lebogang Mthimunye, a toolmaking apprentice who excelled in her career, Lozien Jarvis, who started her own company with support from the Industrial Development Corporation, and Bennita Sigawuki, who rose from a herding background to become a Junior Toolmaker.

The industry recognizes the value of women and actively supports women through apprenticeships and programs. In the automotive sector, women make up nearly a third of the organized retail and aftermarket workforce, and nearly 40% of new artisan registrations last year. Targeted apprenticeships have shown success, with 60% of participants being women. By intentionally opening doors for women, industries can harness their talent and contribute to a resilient economy.