Johannesburg – 11 February 2026 – To celebrate the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Forestry South Africa (FSA) has launched two complementary campaigns to amplify women’s voices, inspire more women to pursue STEM careers in the field, and challenge outdated perceptions of the forestry sector.
Modern forestry is not just about growing trees. It spans a wide range of STEM careers, including genetics, climate science, ecology, data science, engineering, logistics, planning and applied research. Across South Africa, women are leading important research in these fields, improving forest productivity, strengthening climate resilience and delivering tangible social and economic benefits, particularly in rural communities.
“It’s not enough to recognise women in science – we need commitment and transformation across all industries and sectors,” says Dr Yolandi Ernst, senior lecturer at the Global Change Institute. “It sends a message to young girls that careers in environmental science, climate research and forestry are not only possible, but vital. Climate-resilient landscapes are built through science-based decision-making, and women are already central to that process.”
Five women give a voice for science, sustainability and forestry
The first campaign is a series of thought leadership pieces featuring women in forestry science who explore how research and innovation enable the sector to respond to global climate challenges and national economic growth and rural livelihoods.
- Professor Ilaria Germishuizen – Research Director, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research
- Professor Sanushka Naidoo – Programme Leader, Forest Molecular Genetics – Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI)
- Dr Yolandi Ernst – Senior Lecturer, Global Change Institute
- Dr Noxolo Ndlovu – NCT Forestry, Forestry Research Scientist
- Jacqui Meyer – Co-ordinator, Timber Industry Pesticide Working Group
“Forestry research is a space where women can, and increasingly do, make a meaningful difference,” says Professor Germishuizen. “It is interdisciplinary, applied and closely connected to society’s future needs. For young women considering STEM pathways, it offers the opportunity to combine scientific excellence with tangible environmental and economic outcomes.”
The social side of science
FSA has also embarked on a month-long social media campaign running from 11 February to 11 March, where women share what they do, why they chose a STEM career and offer words of encouragement for young people, particularly girls, who may be considering similar paths.
“For young women considering a STEM career, the sector offers far more pathways than many expect,” says Meyer. “It is diverse, impactful and globally connected. Forestry creates local benefits while contributing to global sustainability goals.”
At the heart of both campaigns is a commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists.
“The future of forests and the communities that rely on them will be shaped by our willingness to integrate scientific insights with purpose, deliberate inclusiveness and shared responsibility,” says Professor Naidoo, emphasising the importance of visibility, mentorship and confidence-building. “It is important that we encourage girls to engage with STEM, as this field will open tremendous opportunities. We need to help them overcome a lack of confidence in STEM subjects like mathematics, to unlock the wide array of STEM careers waiting for them. Initiatives like this one, that show relatable faces succeeding in STEM will help achieve this.”
Dr Ndlovu appeals to young women and girls: “The world needs your curiosity, questions and perspectives. STEM careers are not reserved for the select few; they are built by ordinary people who are willing to learn, persist and believe that they belong!”
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Did You Know?
- Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
- Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
- Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
- Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
- Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
- Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
- Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.