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As the country concludes the Women’s Month, President Jacob Zuma has congratulated women who have won awards this month in fields previously regarded as men’s disciplines including science, water, sports, business and farming.

This follows various awards ceremonies held by government’s departments and other entities to honour and celebrate women’s excellence in these fields as South Africa continued to observe the Women’s Month of August.
“It is very encouraging to see women performing well in areas that were traditionally regarded as male-dominated and it gives us the important assurance as a nation that we are on the right track  in the pursuit of equity,” said President Zuma.

The President has congratulated all winners of the awards and particularly the following women and women-led community organisations for their outstanding work in their respective fields:
2014 Women in Science Awards by Department of Science and Technology

• Professor Marina Rautenbach: Distinguished Woman Researcher in Physical and Engineering Sciences.
• Professor Priscilla Baker: Distinguished Woman Researcher in Physical and Engineering Sciences.
• Professor Leila Patel: Distinguished Woman Researcher in Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Professor Marie Poggenpoel: Distinguished Woman Researcher in Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Dr Puleng Segalo: Young Distinguished Woman Researcher in Humanities and Social Sciences.

2014 Women in Water Awards by Department Water and Sanitation
·        Mosadi Tshwene Projects:  Winner of the Water Conservation Category.
·        Re a dira Home Based Care: Winner of the Community Development Category
·        Swartkops Adopt a River project: Winner of the Adopt a River Category
·        Batjha Community Based Organisation – Winner of the Education and Awareness.

2014 Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Female Entrepreneur of the Year

• Ms Mponeng Lentoro: Top Entrepreneur in the Sector (Commercial)
• Ms Nokwanele Mzamo: Top Entrepreneur in the Sector (Export Market)
• Ms Anne Ruthford: Top  Entrepreneur in the Sector (Processing)
• Ms Sandra Kroutz: Top Entrepreneur (Smallholder) in the Sector
• Ms Hawukile Makhanya: Best Female Worker in the Sector
• Ms Thandeka Moseki: Best Substance Producer in the Sector

• Ms Nombulelo Bea Hackula: Head of Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (Government Category)
• Ms Roswitha Becker: General Manager of Global Load Control (Corporate Category)

President Zuma has also congratulated all 62 women who were honoured on Thursday, 28 August 2014, by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, for their immense and selfless contribution in the development of various sporting codes.  
On behalf of government and all South Africans we are humbled by the high degree of excellence shown by these distinguished women compatriots and we encourage them and others to continue working hard to take the country forward.
“Government will continue to unreservedly support all women’s initiatives, projects and businesses as we believe that by empowering women, we are essentially empowering the nation,” the President added.