The world celebrated the 10th anniversary of the International Women and Girls in Science Day at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters on February 11, 2025.
MAHLE has a strong commitment to gender parity that is being pursued through a philosophy of empowerment and is investing in flagship education initiatives that support young women. Through examples such as Ntombizonke Mngonyama, Production Supervisor in MAHLE’s Engine Cooling Department Assembly Line in Durban, MAHLE underscores the critical importance of diversity and inclusion as cornerstones of a personal career within the global automotive industry.
“Innovation is fueled through diversity,” says Jumana Al-Sibai, member of the MAHLE Group Management Board. “Our commitment to gender equality is not only about numbers, but rather about empowering women to drive meaningful change in Science and Technology. In science, technology, engineering and maths, innovation is not an end to itself – it is a key driver of competitiveness and long-term business success.”
Education and empowerment initiatives
Owing to South Africa’s disparate past, MAHLE South Africa believes that gender equity extends beyond just leadership representation and, hence, the investment in education programs. MAHLE actively supports young women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through its flagship initiatives:
Science2Go – A mobile education program that provides hands-on science, coding and robotics training to learners in under-resourced communities. By bridging the knowledge gap, Science2Go has already improved Grade 10 physical science enrolment by 43% in participating schools.
Empowering Young Women in STEM Conference – This conference is held annually at the beginning of August. It is an immersive career event that connects high school girls with industry professionals, offering mentorship, career guidance and hands-on STEM experiences.
"Early exposure to STEM careers is essential in inspiring the next generation of female scientists and engineers," says Juergen Wolf, Managing Director of MAHLE South Africa. "Through Science2Go and our annual conference, we are not just educating young women; we are changing the narrative about who belongs in STEM."
Leading example
The impact of the initiatives by MAHLE is best illustrated through the journeys of women who have risen within the company ranks. An example of the success that can be achieved through MAHLE’s support and individual determination is Ntombizonke Mngonyama.
Starting as a Stuffer in 2016, Ntombizonke faced significant challenges as she worked her way up in a male-dominated industry but seized every opportunity that was presented to her. Her relentless drive saw her advance to the role of quality inspector within months and she then completed her diploma in operations management. In 2022, Ntombizonke was promoted to Production Supervisor in MAHLE’s Engine Cooling Department, Assembly Lines.
"MAHLE gave me the opportunities; my task was to ensure that I overcame any barriers,” says Ntombizonke. “I want young women to seize the opportunities that they are offered and not become discouraged by cultural stereotyping when pursuing their goals in STEM. With the right support, anyone can achieve anything in STEM. Gender should never be a limitation but rather a call to rise."
By providing mentorship, training and industry exposure to young women, MAHLE fosters a pipeline of future female engineers, scientists and innovators.
"Creating an inclusive STEM workforce is a collective effort," says Juergen Wolf. "MAHLE is proud to lead by example, but real change happens when entire industries unite to ensure that young women have the opportunities, resources, and encouragement they need to succeed."
In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared the International Women and Girls in Science Day to observe and highlight the crucial role of women and girls in STEM while advocating for gender equality and greater inclusion in the fields of science and technology.
Currently women in South Africa account for only 23% of STEM professionals working, of which only 17% occupy leadership positions. Internationally the statistics are slightly better with females making up 29.2% of the STEM workforce.