International Women’s Day, observed on 8 March, calls for meaningful progress toward gender equality under this year’s theme, #GiveToGain. At Bühler Southern Africa, that progress is visible on the workshop floor, where a women-led Health & Safety team is strengthening operational culture in a traditionally male-dominated environment. For Health & Safety Officer Kwenza Makaza, impact is measured by what does not happen: “The accidents that never occur, the lives that are never disrupted, the families that never receive a difficult phone call.”
Her role bridges compliance and culture, translating “paper safety into real safety” through practical controls, coaching, and accountability. According to Bühler’s ‘Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Annual Report 2025’, 17.3% of employees and 15.2% of supervisors globally are women, demonstrating measurable progress. In South Africa, however, representation in operational and technical roles carries particular significance. “When we give others a chance to be seen, heard and supported, we gain safer workplaces, stronger businesses and a more just society,” says Kwenza.
In a country where industrial safety, skills development, and economic resilience are closely linked, women stepping into visible leadership in engineering and safety roles signals more than inclusion; it signals capability. By combining measurable diversity progress with investment in female leadership in technical functions, Bühler is embedding inclusion into operational excellence, positioning it not as a corporate slogan, but as a performance driver within daily operations.
Media contacts:
Taryn Browne, Head of Marketing, Southern Africa
Bühler (Pty) Ltd.
Bühler Southern Africa
Phone: +27 11 801 3500
Mobile: +27 66 307 4618
E-mail: taryn.browne@buhlergroup.com
Dalen Jacomino Panto, Media Relations Manager
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Switzerland
Phone: +41 71 955 37 57
Mobile: +41 79 900 53 88
E-mail: dalen.jacomino_panto@buhlergroup.com
Katja Hartmann, Media Relations Manager
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Schweiz
Mobile: +41 79 483 68 07
E-mail: katja.hartmann@buhlergroup.com
About Bühler
Bühler is driven by its purpose of creating innovations for a better world, balancing the needs of economy, humanity, and nature in all its decision-making processes. Billions of people come into contact with Bühler technologies as they cover their basic needs for food and mobility every day. Two billion people each day enjoy foods produced on Bühler equipment; and one billion people travel in vehicles manufactured using parts produced with Bühler solutions. Countless people wear eyeglasses, use smart phones, and read newspapers and magazines – all of which depend on Bühler process technologies and solutions. Having this global relevance, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business.
As a technology partner for the food, feed, and mobility industries, Bühler has committed to having solutions ready to multiply by 2025 that reduce energy, waste, and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers. It also proactively collaborates with suppliers to reduce climate impacts throughout the value chain. In its own operations, Bühler has developed a pathway to achieve a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scopes 1 & 2, against a 2019 baseline).
Bühler spends up to 5% of turnover on research and development annually to improve both the commercial and sustainability performance of its solutions, products, and services. In 2024, some 12,350 employees generated a turnover of CHF 3.0 billion. As a Swiss family-owned company with a history spanning 165 years, Bühler is active in over 140 countries around the world and operates a global network of 105 service stations, 31 manufacturing sites, and research and training centers in 26 locations.
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