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60th anniversary of the 1956 women’s march on the Union buildings

By

Noncedo Johnson
Noncedo Johnson – the only woman operating a 63-ton crane.

What do a crane driver, a ballet dancer, a doctor, a linguist and a brown belt karate champion have in common? They are all Volkswagen employees and they are all Volkswagen women.

9 August 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the 1956 women’s march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the implementation of the pass laws. In recognition of this milestone, VWSA is celebrating the 15 Women, 30 Lives, 60 Years campaign.  VWSA has highlighted 15 of the many women who work for VWSA for this feature. The 15 who work in very different areas of the organisation also lead successful private lives.

Each of the these women have demanding jobs such as Noncedo Johnson, who is the only woman operating a 63-ton crane or Nonkqubela Maliza who is the longest serving director at VWSA. On top of the demands of work life Noncedo is a mother and a brown belt karate champion.

Tarryn Knight, the Marketing Communications Manager of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, is a wife, a classically trained dancer and a fitness instructor, and Adidi Ndjoka-Makake is a Product Engineer, a mother and a linguist who speaks five languages.

“Madiba said that freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression. We hope our campaign will encourage young women to be doctors, engineers, company directors and crane drivers,” said Thomas Schaefer, Chairman and Managing Director: Volkswagen Group South Africa.

Schaefer added: “The skills, jobs, abilities and interests of these women show the diversity and talent of our female employees. They are strong and capable and represent the very best of South African women.”

“Our women not only contribute to the success of our company but also to the success of their families and the communities in which they live,” said Schaefer.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.