#WomensMonth2026: Building resilient economies for all
Women's Month is both a celebration and a call to action. It reminds us that, while we have made meaningful progress, the pursuit of gender equality remains unfinished. As we commemorate the historic Women's March of 9 August 1956, we honour the courage of more than 20 000 women who stood united against injustice and forever changed the course of our nation's history. Their resilience continues to inspire us to challenge barriers, create opportunities and ensure that every woman can realise her full potential.
For the CSIR, Women's Month resonates deeply with our purpose. As an organisation that harnesses science, technology and innovation to improve lives, we recognise that inclusive innovation is essential to addressing South Africa's most pressing challenges. When women are empowered to lead, discover, invent and innovate, science becomes stronger, institutions become more resilient and society is better equipped to thrive.
Today, women across the CSIR are making significant contributions in laboratories, engineering facilities, field research, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, climate science and many other areas that are shaping South Africa's future. They lead multidisciplinary research programmes, mentor emerging scientists, influence policy, strengthen partnerships and develop technologies that improve lives. Their achievements remind us that diversity is not only a matter of fairness, but also a strategic advantage. Diverse perspectives fuel creativity, inspire innovation and enable better solutions to complex societal challenges.
Here are some of the women we are celebrating at the CSIR:
#WomensMonth2026: Celebrating Zandile Legwabe's two decades of service with a smile
For more than twenty years, Zandile Legwabe has been a welcoming face and a trusted ambassador of the CSIR. From a waitress to now a front office coordinator in the CSIR Conferencing and Accommodation team, her unwavering commitment to service, professionalism and people has made a lasting impact on colleagues, customers and visitors alike.
This Women's Month and beyond, we celebrate not only Zandile's remarkable milestone of over two decades of service, but also the EPIC values that have shaped her journey in our organisation.
Read more about Zandile Legwabe.
#WomensMonth2026: Making an impact in transport infrastructure
CSIR senior researcher in civil engineering, Gculisile Mvelase, is a trailblazer with a passion for developing practical solutions to complex infrastructure challenges.
This Women's Month and beyond, we celebrate Gculisile for her exceptional contribution towards transport infrastructure as well as inspiring the next generation of women in engineering.
Read more about Gculisile Mvelase.
#WomensMonth2026: Improving lives through smarter transport
Lerato Kgoa sees transport as more than roads and traffic; it is about improving people's lives. As a senior researcher in the CSIR Smart Mobility cluster, her work at the Transport Safety Laboratory focuses on transport planning, traffic engineering and road safety.
This Women's Month and beyond, we celebrate Lerato for her commitment towards helping governments make better transport decisions.
"Civil engineering is about serving people by developing practical solutions that support everyday life, improve access to opportunities and help communities live, move and function better," explains the 33-year-old. Read more about Lerato Kgoa.
#WomensMonth2026: Celebrating a journey of growth and discovery
Tshwane North Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College student Kearabilwe Motswaledi is building a promising career in electrical engineering through a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programme at the CSIR.
This Women's Month and beyond, we celebrate Kearabilwe for embracing mentorship to the fullest and exploring new ideas that can help shape the future of transport.
Since joining the CSIR Smart Mobility Transport Infrastructure and Mobility team a year ago, Kearabilwe has participated in a range of activities, helping her build a research-focused career, while developing her technical and report-writing skills.
Read more about Kearabilwe Motswaledi.
#Women'sMonth 2026: Victoria Motloung is leading the way with courage, integrity and heart
"For me, ethics is not a grand gesture reserved for important occasions. It is found in the small, consistent choices we make every day. I strive to approach each interaction and opportunity with the question: How can I contribute something positive here? How can I leave this person, situation, or decision better than I found it? In many ways, that ongoing pursuit of doing good, however imperfectly, is my personal interpretation of ethics and the principle by which I try to live each day," says Victoria Motloung, Compliance Manager at CSIR's Legal and Compliance Services.
This Women's Month and beyond, we celebrate Victoria as a true embodiment of ethics and integrity, whose EPIC values continue to inspire those around her.
Read more about Victoria Motaung.
#WomensMonth2026: Breaking SET barriers and inspiring a youth-lead future
Precious believes that Women's Month is a time to reflect on the responsibility that comes with leadership. She says that leadership is not defined by a title but by the opportunities created for women to grow and succeed.
"This time reinforces my responsibility to encourage greater participation of women in science, engineering and technology.
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields, yet women remain underrepresented. Through research, public engagement, mentorship and awareness initiatives, I hope to contribute to creating a future where young women see themselves as innovators, researchers and leaders capable of solving some of society's most complex challenges," she says. Read more about Precious Ntuli.