SALM TEAM 
Africa’s premier solar car challenge, the Sasol Solar Challenge from 8–20 September 2024, is raising the stakes for female representation. This year’s event will see a record number of women taking on key roles, as drivers, engineers, strategists and communicators, showcasing the critical contributions of women to advancing solar technology and innovation.
The new 2024 route promises to be one of the most challenging – and beautiful – yet for the solar cars. The event starts in Secunda, Mpumalanga, and finishes in Cape Town, the unique terrain certainly to test teams’ ingenuity and resilience to the limit.
A Celebration of Female Engineers and Innovators
The higher profile for women at the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge embodies the event’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. This year, women participants will play much more than only supporting roles, leading teams, producing innovative vehicle designs, and directing the game plans to get their solar-powered vehicles to the finish line.
“We’ll be seeing many more women than ever before leading teams, driving engineering decisions, and ultimately helping shape the future of solar technology. It’s a powerful testament to the growing role of women in the engineering space, and it’s incredibly inspiring to witness,” says Rob Walker, Director of the Sasol Solar Challenge.
Inspiration for Future Generations
Women participants in the Sasol Solar Challenge also serve as important role models for young girls and women aspiring to enter STEM fields. It provides incontrovertible proof that women are key to the innovation landscape, and their contributions vital to the advancement of sustainable technologies.
Nicole Kunze said: “I am extremely proud to be participating in the Sasol Solar Challenge, and although I’ll be vying for a spot on the podium, it’s not just about winning. This is an opportunity to help break down gender barriers, and show the world that women are as capable as men of driving change in engineering and technology,” says Nicole, who is a driver of the Solarflair team.
Kunze adds: “Every kilometre we cover in this challenge is a step forward for women in engineering. It’s about proving to the next generation that there are no limits to what women can achieve in STEM.”
Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol’s Senior Manager of Group Brand and Sponsorships, echoes their views: “It is extremely heartening to see the number of women participants growing each year. It’s not just about competing; it’s about promoting equitable female participation and fostering inclusivity that will inspire future generations to dream big and pursue careers in STEM. The women in this challenge are breaking barriers and paving the way for others to follow.”
Parallels with Broader Advancement of Women in Engineering
The increased female representation in the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge mirrors the broader progress towards gender equity being witnessed in the South African engineering sector, and globally, with more and more women stepping into leadership roles and driving innovation. As the challenge pushes technological boundaries, it also challenges societal norms and the traditional gender roles that have long dominated the field.
Nozipho concluded on this parallel: “The Sasol Solar Challenge is a microcosm of the progress being made in engineering and technology. As we see more women engineers stepping into pivotal roles, both in this challenge and the wider industry, it is clear that the future of innovation is inclusive and diverse.”
- For further information or to arrange interviews with participants, please contact Noni Sophe at media@solarevents.co.za or call 063 348 3308.
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