June - Department of Defence

insightOur Navy boasts of itssuccessful women30Articles and photoscourtesy Navy NewsAnumber of journalists salliedout into the ships and officesof the SA Navy in Simon'sTown to examine life in thispreviously maledominatedenvironment and asked thewomen in Naval uniformfor their take on their place in theSA Navy.Leading Seaman Pretty Nkosimatriculated in 1994 at UmlaziCommercial High in KwaZulu-Nataland joined the SA Navy in 1997. AfterBasic Training she went to WarfareSchool, where she passed seamanship,electronic warfare and theCarbillan Course, which resulted inher becoming a qualified radar operator.She is currently working in theS A S O L D I E R • J U N E 2 0 0 4Situation Room, preparing for andmonitoring the movement of navalships."I find working in a maledominatedenvironment not a problem, butvery motivating because I want toexcel! I have to disagree with the generalisedand unscientific conclusionthat women are psychologicallystronger than men, it all depends onthe particular individual one is dealingwith." Leading Seaman Nkosi didagree, however, that men are generallyphysically stronger than women.To Leading Seaman Nkosi, theSA Navy is not just a source ofincome, but also an institution wherematurity in all aspects of her life isnurtured. Her biggest dream is to bean officer and to ensure that herdream is achieved, and to this endshe is now studying FinancialLS Pretty Nkosi (right) and LS Judeel September in the Situation Room.Serving at sea.Management through the PeninsulaCollege.Asked how she felt about servingunder a female Officer Commanding,she replied, "For representivity purposesit would be good, but there isno guarantee that it wouldnecessarily be better".To young women outside theSA Navy she says encouragingly:"The SA Navy can be your home,especially if you pass matric withmaths, science and English"!Exercise self-disciplineAble Seaman Jeanette Wrigleyjoined the SA Navy in 2002. SinceBasic Training she has worked onboard the SAS GALASHEWE as astoker in the mechanical department.She was motivated by her mother,who has always been supportive ofher pursuing this career. AbleSeaman Wrigley says that as the SANavy is in fact a maledominatedenvironment, she sees it as an idealplace for women to establish themselves.Although she feels that bynature women are psychologicallystronger than men, she also feels thatthis places a responsibility on womento show their male counterparts howto use their physical superiority constructivelyrather than destructively!She was quick to add that she doesnot find working in a field dominatedby men a problem, as her colleaguesare most helpful and supportive.Able Seaman Wrigley's face shineswith vision and a commitment towhatever she does. She intends to goon to obtain a degree some time inthe future because, as she says, "The