Mining in focus
Artisan Training Institute
Sean Jones , MD of the Artisan Training Institute , is conducting a PhD study into the triggers of subtle and explicit discrimination towards women in traditionally segregated occupations . He believes upskilling to artisan level , for example , is important to retain the skills of female workers .
Like Benya , he is basing his study on underground mining in South Africa .
“ Asanda ’ s research highlights how women are prepared to experience the hardships associated with underground mining , in an effort to dig themselves out of poverty . This important contribution also helps mines inform critically needed policy and practices to secure the future of women in mining ,” says Jones .
As women progress to higher level skilled positions as artisans , for example , it will become increasingly important to retain their skills in the workplace . “ Understanding the gendered challenges highlighted by research in real-world settings is key to retaining these valuable skills ,” he concludes .
Since my own underground encounter , I have been happy to learn that overalls are now hole-free , designed for the ‘ female shape ’, and gumboots come in small sizes .
Although sartorial improvements go a long way in addressing some difficulties , the sector needs to continue their focus on understanding the evolution of women ’ s roles in the underground workspace . b
FOUR FEMALE IDENTITIES Mafazi
• Emphasises femininity that exaggerates femaleness / girlishness .
• Seen as ‘ good and obedient ’ women and in return , men willingly work for them .
• Adopts role of caretaker , by looking after men ’ s physical needs , for example bringing them water .
• Allows and encourages views and attitudes that label them feminine , fragile , and in need of help and protection from men .
• Ironically , their presence and insistence on being underground , instead of on surface , challenges the notion that underground is solely men ’ s territory .
Moneymakers
• Do not practice gender according to underground expectations and challenge masculinity .
• Appear to reject ‘ rules of behaviour ’.
• Unlike the mafazi , they prefer to work on surface .
• Considered lazy and opinionated and their performances of gender are seen by men and other women as subversive .
• Tend to be relationally and spatially alienated from their teams .
Real mafazi
• Known to be hard-working .
• Involved in ‘ real ’ mine work underground and not ‘ domestic ’ work like mafazi or refusing work like moneymakers .
• Engage in mine work on their terms as female workers and not as male mine workers .
• Challenge notion that only men and masculine workers can do mine work and be productive .
• Seen by their co-workers as ‘ strong women ’.
Madoda straight
• Referred to as madoda straight ( real men ), because their gender performances resemble ‘ female masculinities ’.
• Viewed by others and themselves as ‘ real ’ mine workers who can productively and convincingly mimic ( masculine ) miners .
• View femininity as antithetical to mining and productivity and , therefore , distance themselves from it .
Source : Women in mining : occupational culture and gendered identities in the making by Dr Asanda Benya .