BUILT ENVIRONMENT HOD CELEBRATED FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE SECTOR

For Professor Nokulunga Mashwama, breaking barriers in the built environment has been a journey defined by resilience, perseverance and an unyielding commitment to excellence.

That journey reached another milestone on Tuesday night, 18 August, when the Walter Sisulu academic was honoured with the “Academic Excellence in the Construction and Built Environment Sector” award at the CIBD Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards in Johannesburg.

The accolade recognises Mashwama’s contribution to teaching, research and the advancement of the built environment, while also shining a light on the growing role of women in a sector that has traditionally been dominated by men.

As the Head of the Department of Built Environment in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT (FEBEIT), Mashwama is currently the only female HOD among the faculty’s five departmental heads.

For her, the recognition carries significance beyond personal achievement, particularly during Women’s Month, when South Africa celebrates women who continue to challenge structural barriers and redefine what is possible.

“Receiving this award is both a great honour and a motivation to continue striving for excellence. Personally, it affirms that resilience, dedication and giving your very best can make a meaningful difference,” she said.

Mashwama said her professional journey had not been without obstacles, but that every challenge had strengthened her resolve to persevere.

“My journey has been shaped by resilience, dedication and perseverance. There have been challenges and moments that required me to dig deep and keep going, learn from setbacks and give my very best,” she said.

Her passion for construction and the built environment is rooted in her understanding of the sector’s broader contribution to society.

“The Construction sector contributes significantly to the economy and requires specialised skills, which inspired my interest in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying,” she explained.

Beyond her academic and professional responsibilities, Mashwama is particularly passionate about sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.

Through teaching, research and community engagement, she hopes to contribute to innovative solutions capable of creating a more sustainable and resilient built environment.

She believes recognition of women such as herself is critical in changing perceptions and inspiring the next generation.

“Such recognition is extremely important because it demonstrates that women can excel, lead and make a significant contribution in traditionally male-dominated fields. It provides visibility for women academics and professionals and, importantly, inspires young women to pursue research and professional positions within the built environment,” she said.

For Mashwama, however, excellence extends beyond professional accolades.

She views academia as an important bridge between knowledge and practical solutions to the complex construction and infrastructure challenges confronting society.

“Teaching, research, innovation and knowledge production are essential for developing solutions to complex construction and infrastructure challenges,” she exclaimed.

By Thando Cezula