Q & A: CLAY BRICK ASSOCIATION
Why inclusion builds stronger industries
What motivated you to join the built industry, and what motivates you to stay? I joined the industry 22 years ago, at a time when clay bricks played a pivotal role in meeting South Africa’ s high building demand. It has been a privilege to witness the landscape change through clay brick buildings, and to see how physical infrastructure shapes people ' s daily lives. Schools, office blocks, shopping malls, and homes are not just structures. They are where people live, work, learn, and raise families.
Clay brick appealed to me because it’ s one of the few building materials that’ s been used for centuries and still meets modern performance standards. There is something tangible about an industry where you can point to a clay wall and say,“ We made that, and it’ ll still be standing in 100 years.”
What keeps me here is the combination of technical challenge and real impact. On the technical side, I have to be the voice on behalf of all the manufacturers with regulations such as carbon tax, environmental, air emissions, and SANS codes, always with the best interests of the industry in mind.
On the impact side, the industry employs thousands of people directly and supports many more through construction and housing delivery.
Right now, my motivation is making sure the sector remains credible and relevant. That means pushing for better quality standards, lowering emissions, helping members adapt energy and environmental pressures, and making sure policy supports local manufacturing. When you see manufacturers adopt better practices, deliver compliant materials, and protect local jobs, it reminds me why I stay. This industry isn’ t glamorous, but it is fundamental. And fundamental work is worth doing well.
How can leaders open pathways for women entering the built industry? Leadership changes two things: access and perception. When women see other women in executive, technical, and board roles, the industry starts to feel more accessible. That matters in construction and manufacturing, where the default image is still male.
In practice, opening pathways means widening the net. It means supporting mentorship programmes that pair younger women with experienced plant managers and engineers. It also means sharing technical information
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