ABB celebrates International Women’s Day 2023 theme of #EmbraceEquity

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Dipuo Harriet Masilo, Laser Engraving Machine Operator, ABB

As a Machine Operator, Dipuo designs, manufactures and prints labels for ABB switchgear units, which are used to supply power to various government-owned entities and privately owned mines. She works in the ELDS production factory along with the fabrication, assembly, wiring and testing departments. “They call me ‘The label specialist lady’ and I am very proud of our team,” says Dipuo.

“I am a woman with many hidden talents, like my passion for making things with accuracy, precision and quality.” Her interest using software was ignited while working as a Software Programmer for laser measuring units before joining ABB as a Laser Engraving Machine Operator. “The work that I am doing here is very challenging and needs a person with passion, understanding and who is highly efficient. I love my work,” says Dipuo.

“I have learnt a lot about understanding people’s behaviour and their different personalities, also to have patience with people and to be firm and precise in all my dealings with them.” She adds that the basic PM course she undertook at UCT taught her that managing a project teaches you to be more attentive, knowledgeable and organised, especially when it comes to achieving clear and meaningful objectives and outcomes.

“I have progressed from being a young, shy girl who started working at 17 right after college as a Software Programmer, a Production Supervisor after six years’ work experience, and now as a Machine Operator with a PM certificate and a proud mother of two talented boys,” says Dipuo.

ABB has a culture of caring and helping each other. It has a programme in place to promote diversity and inclusivity, managed by one of the young ELDS women and management team. The programme run monthly and tackles issues around employee wellbeing, financial literacy and achieving work-life balance.

For Dipuo, the IWD 2023 theme of #EmbraceEquity means equal recognition, equal rewards and equal admiration in all work carried out by different people, without discrimination in terms of gender, colour, beliefs and religion. “We must treat all people with love, respect and honour, without judgement or criticism.”

A change she would love to see in the world is for people “to be kind, loving and help one another so that all of us can live happily and enjoy our lives with peace and dignity.” To young women starting out on their careers, she says: “Find your passion, know your passion, understand your passion and be very firm about your passion. Be kind and understanding, be openminded and eager to learn new things, do not be arrogant and hostile, love yourself and give love to others and your life will be at peace.”

Jane Tshabangu, Project Panning and Controls Specialist, ABB

Jane is responsible for overseeing all production orders manufactured in-house at ABB’s Longmeadow, Johannesburg manufacturing facility. Her role includes ensuring copper is available on a just-in-time basis for panel plating and releasing all jobs for picking and placing by the production team.

“What keeps me passionate and excited about what I do is that I am always focused, making sure that nothing holds up production as they rely on me to coordinate the workload,” says Jane, who focuses on teamwork, problem solving and communication as her core competencies.

Jane began her career at ABB in 2006 as an Expeditor, responsible for all outstanding purchase orders, following up on deliveries and liaising with the buyers. In 2009 she was promoted to a Planner and then in 2017 assumed her current position.

IWD 2023 is an important platform to promote female empowerment in the workplace. Jane says ABB has an open Inclusion and Engagement Forum whereby anyone employee can address any issues impacting themselves or their colleagues in the workplace.

“I would like to see more women in high-level positions,” she adds. Jane’s message to young women contemplating a similar career path is simple: “Speak up in a way that is powerful and get to know your rights as a woman and fight for them!”

Dineo Maphaka, Production Development Specialist, ABB

Dineo works with the fabrication team in the electrification division. She compiles programs for the CNC punching machines while keeping a watchful eye on reducing the scrap rate. Her job is to ensure a smooth production process for all the components needed for switchgear assembly.

“Every project brings an opportunity for me to learn something new and work with different people. As our products do not always use standard components, this gives me an opportunity to expand my skills,” says Dineo. Her career highlights at ABB include progressing from a wire lady to her current role. She was also nominated for an internal award for achieving a significant reduction in the overall scrap rate.

Dineo has a Diploma in Electrical Engineering and a certificate in writing Computer Numerical Control (CNC) code for lathe machines. Prior to ABB she worked as a CNC operator, setter and programmer for both CNC lathe and milling machines. Her career journey at ABB began as a contractor and working as a wire lady until being appointed permanently in her current role in 2021. “It took many years and learning to be where I am right now. I have put in the hard work to ensure that I excel in any position I am in,” says Dineo.

Dineo chairs the Inclusion and Engagement Forum, where all employees can be heard and feel included. She says the IWD 2023 theme of #EmbraceEquity “means everyone should be treated with respect, regardless of who they are.” She would also like to see more women climb the career ladder in the engineering sector.  “I would like to see more women at the table, making decisions that impact and matter to organisations.”

Her advice to young women is to “be assertive, confident, and level-headed. Speak out if you do not understand anything at work. Let us be brave! There are a lot of opportunities for women today. It is all up to us to go out there and grab them.”

Electrifying the world in a safe, smart, and sustainable way, ABB Electrification is a global technology leader in electrical distribution and management from source to socket. As the world’s demand for electricity grows, our 50,000+ employees across 100 countries collaborate with customers and partners to transform how people connect, live and work. We develop innovative products, solutions and digital technologies that enable energy efficiency and a low carbon society across all sectors. By applying global scale with local expertise, we shape and support global trends, deliver excellence for customers and power a sustainable future for society. go.abb/electrification