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Nomvelo Nzuza, a Grade 12 student, was inspired by a video about a woman who, despite being raised by a single mother, grew to own a successful forestry business. “I was really motivated by her journey,” Nzuza remarked. This video is part of a series created by She is Forestry, an initiative by Forestry South Africa and the Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC).
Makhosazana Mavimbela, executive director of the FSCC, highlighted a troubling trend in rural areas where many girls drop out of school due to limited prospects beyond childcare grants. “Period poverty,” where girls can’t afford hygiene products, also contributes to high absenteeism rates.
She is Forestry, a nonprofit, aims to encourage girls to pursue careers in forestry by celebrating and supporting women in the sector. “This project embodies Nelson Mandela’s words, ‘Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom,'” Mavimbela said.
Founded five years ago, the initiative has expanded significantly. It began with a webinar in 2020 and has since become a major influence in promoting positive change. The She is Forestry team has visited schools across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern and Western Cape, distributing a four-part video series to combat high dropout rates among girls. These videos showcase various forestry careers and feature female role models, offering an ongoing resource beyond a single career day.
“The forestry sector offers excellent career opportunities, especially for women in rural areas,” said Mavimbela. Katy Johnson of Forestry South Africa took the lead in bringing these role models to life, inspired by Michelle Obama’s book “The Light We Carry,” which explores the importance of visible role models for dreaming big.
She is Forestry also supports schools by providing essential supplies like toilet paper, printer paper, and feminine hygiene products, which are often scarce in rural schools. The impact of these efforts was evident when Thulani Ndlovu, principal of Phindizwe High, reported a drop in absenteeism due to period poverty and an improvement in pass rates following the donation of menstrual cups and calculators.
Johnson hopes these videos will keep girls in school and show them the possibilities within the forestry sector. The project continues to grow, adding more videos with diverse role models, including heavy machine operators and scientists. This expansion ensures that more girls can see and aspire to a future beyond traditional expectations.