In anticipation of Women's Month, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, in collaboration with ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, recently hosted a breakfast event themed "Women of Steel".
Hosted by Prof Linda du Plessis, vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, the event focused on empowering women at ArcelorMittal South Africa and to provide them with the opportunity to network with other women in leadership positions.
Close to 50 women from the company’s main operations in South Africa participated in the event. They enjoyed a morning filled with inspiration, as various female leaders at the NWU – including Prof Du Plessis, Lize Bierman, manager of Student Accounts and Bursaries, and Lelanie van Zyl, director of Student Academic Lifecycle Administration – shared their journeys and stories of overcoming obstacles and breaking barriers.
They spoke about leadership, career development, and work-life balance, and encouraged the women to strive for excellence and not be held back by gender stereotypes.
"Women are an integral part of our society, and their contributions to the workplace are invaluable,” said Prof Du Plessis. “We must create an environment that supports and empowers them to reach their full potential.”
“This event is a reminder of the importance of empowering women in leadership positions. Women have often been underrepresented, and events like these serve as a reminder of the importance of equality in the workplace. As the university, we fully support such causes," she adds.
Event organiser Chantell de Villiers from ArcelorMittal South Africa says the initiative was launched several years ago to inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders and to foster an environment that promotes growth and development.
"’ The Women of Steel’ event is part of our efforts to promote gender diversity and equality within the company. We aim to create a world where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. Events such as this remind us that we can all contribute to building a more fair and just society," says Chantell.

The “Women of Steel” breakfast event gave women from the NWU and ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited the opportunity to inspire each other.