KOMANI– Construction has long been seen as a male-dominated industry in South Africa, but women are increasingly making their mark. Across the Eastern Cape, female entrepreneurs and professionals are stepping into leadership roles, bringing innovation, community focus and a fresh perspective to building projects. Their presence is changing the face of the industry and inspiring a new generation of young women to consider careers in construction.
One of these trailblazers is Babalwa Mausi, a Walter Sisulu University(WSU) graduate from Nqamakhwe, raised in Komani. After completing her BTech in Internal Auditing in 2019, she worked for three years as an internal auditor. But when her contract ended, she decided to take a bold step and follow her passion.
She left her corporate career behind and founded her own construction company, Construction Queens, in 2022. Despite having no formal construction background, Babalwa pursued short courses in general building and civil engineering to equip herself with the necessary skills.
Her company quickly found its footing, completing projects such as a hotel, a beach lodge at Kidd’s Beach in East London and residential plots near King Phalo airport. Her business model emphasizes collaboration with local people, dividing roles between contractors, sales teams and builders, ensuring that the community benefits from each project.
“The main challenge is training my team before we go to the field but investing in people is key. We’re not just building houses we’re building skills, opportunities and hope,” she said in an exclusive interview with Eastern Cape Daily News.
Recently, Babalwa was awarded a scholarship by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to study Women Empowerment in Entrepreneurship and Green Construction. She will graduate in December 2025, deepening her knowledge in sustainable building practices and further supporting women in the construction industry.
Encouraging young people to consider construction as a career, Babalwa emphasized. “This industry has so many opportunities, it’s a way to fight unemployment and create something meaningful for your community.”
Through determination, continuous learning and a strong commitment to uplifting her community, Babalwa Mausi is proving that women in the Eastern Cape are not only breaking barriers in construction they are shaping the future.
Photographs: supplied
