Women Driving Change in green building

In addition to highlighting technical excellence, the IFC EDGE Women in Green Building competition recognises the leadership potential of women in a male-dominated sector. IFC EDGE chatted to the 2024 winners – three remarkable professionals who are shaping the future of sustainable construction.

While women are increasingly recognised as vital contributors to sustainable development and green construction, their representation and influence remains limited. Female built environment professionals, and entrepreneurs are increasingly contributing to green building projects, especially in urban centres, but women are generally underrepresented in the green building and broader construction sectors in Africa, especially in leadership, technical and decision-making roles. Cultural norms, educational barriers and gender biases often hinder their participation.

But despite challenges, some women-led initiatives and organisations are championing sustainable building practices, advocating for gender inclusion and driving policy changes. The Women in Green Building competition is just one of those initiatives. Held annually in South Africa and led by International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency) in collaboration with Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), the Women in Green Building competition celebrates women as drivers of sustainable development on the continent and recognises the winners for their contributions to sustainable construction and their roles as EDGE Experts. It also offers training and mentorship opportunities specifically aimed at empowering women in green construction, including EDGE Expert certification and Design for Greater Efficiency (DfGE).

As the competition continues to grow, Lenore Cairncross, IFC EDGE’s Green Building Lead for Africa, emphasises its broader mission: “When we began the Women in Green Building competition [in 2022], we wanted to empower more women to gain the expertise to increase the number of women making a positive impact in the green building design sector.”

More than 7 million m2 of floorspace has been EDGE-certified in South Africa to date, and over 45% of South Africa’s EDGE Experts are women. The third edition of the Women in Green Building competition last year drew 45 entries from South Africa. Of these, 10 finalists receiving EDGE training and three standout winners were recognised at GBCSA’s Green Building Convention in Cape Town on 5 November 2024.

First-place winner Sibusiso Ndlovu is a chartered accountant with a background in fund management and property finance, bringing a unique blend of financial acumen and green building expertise to the industry. In second place, Theuna Stoltz, an architect passionate about regenerative design, has made her mark through projects like Green School South Africa and her leadership at GASS Architecture Studios. Avuyile Kewana, who secured third place, is a dedicated climate and sustainability professional working in the public sector to drive inclusive, climate-resilient infrastructure in Cape Town. Together, these winners exemplify the diverse skills and bold leadership women bring to the green building space.

We asked them what this recognition means to them, how they have navigated their career journeys so far, and what their visions are for the future of green building.

Q: What does winning the 2024 Women in Green Building competition mean to you?

Sibusiso Ndlovu (SN): Personally, it means a great deal. I entered the competition after giving birth to my daughter – I had a three-year-old and a four-month-old at the time. As women, we often get left behind a bit when we start families, and for me, winning this just fuelled my hunger to keep pushing myself.
Professionally, it’s helped me grow in the property sector. Green building is the future. I believe it will soon become a basic requirement for every development. All of a sudden, I have this rare combination: I’m a chartered accountant with green building expertise, banking, fund management, deal structuring and property experience. It’s powerful.

Theuna Stoltz (TS): This award is a big milestone for me. Sustainability and regenerative design have been a focus since my university days – my thesis explored how architecture can be a catalyst for environmental and social change. Working on Green School South Africa, which aims to be Africa’s first Living Building Compliant school, reinforced for me that sustainability is not one-size-fits-all. You need different tools for different contexts.

Placing second, and becoming an EDGE Expert, gives me a broader knowledge base to meet evolving client needs. It’s a recognition of the work I’ve done, and it energises me to keep mentoring others and driving innovation in a more resilient and inclusive built environment.

Avuyile Kewana (AK): Winning the competition was both a personal honour and a professional turning point. It validated my commitment to sustainable urban development and climate action, and it also highlighted the collective efforts of everyone I’ve worked with.

It deepened my determination to advocate for climate-resilient infrastructure and inclusive green transitions. It connected me with a network of passionate professionals and reinforced the idea that our shared vision, net zero, regenerative design and ESG integration, is already in motion. As a woman in this space, it reminded me that my voice matters.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the green building sector, and what has your journey been like so far?

SN: Although I’m a qualified CA, I fell in love with property at a young age from going to construction sites with my grandfather when he was building and renovating homes. Later, when I received an EDGE certificate and report for a property, I realised I didn’t fully understand what I was looking at. That pushed me to upskill.

I’ve always wanted to be on the forefront of what’s next in property, and green building is it. Other markets are already there, and soon in South Africa you may not even get financing without going green.
TS: From the start of my studies, I believed architecture should be both beautiful and purposeful. My thesis focused on regenerative design, showing how even small, intentional interventions can lead to long-term impact. That thinking stayed with me.

Over the past few years, working on Green School South Africa has been transformative, not just for the technical challenges, but for what it taught me about collaboration and innovation.

AK: My journey was driven by a passion for sustainability and the need to address the impacts of climate change through the built environment. Working in the public sector showed me the power of infrastructure and urban planning in shaping either solutions or deeper problems.

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and how have you overcome them?

SN: One challenge has been being overlooked. I had to shift the narrative. I realised being a woman is actually my greatest advantage. I started being intentional about the spaces I was in, moving the conversation to the value I bring. My work ethic, my results, that’s where I make my mark.

TS: It took time to find my voice, especially early on when asserting myself in meetings or gaining respect from clients. I had to consistently demonstrate my technical expertise, not just design, but also understanding site logistics and project delivery. Over time, I built confidence in my instincts and started trusting my voice. Every challenge taught me something about resilience and the importance of relationships.

AK: I’ve been fortunate to work in teams where women were already in leadership, and collaboration was encouraged. So personally, I haven’t faced major gender-based challenges. But I know the broader industry is still male dominated, especially at senior technical levels. That’s why it’s important to create spaces where everyone, especially women and girls, feel seen and supported.

Q: Have you noticed any changes in how your work is perceived since receiving this recognition?

SN: Definitely. I’ve become the go-to person in the office when it comes to EDGE certification. It’s also shifted how I think about property, and the impact our developments will have on the world my children and future generations will live in.

TS: One client I’m working with on a large commercial project showed real interest in pursuing EDGE certification after I presented the concept. That kind of response shows how my expertise can directly influence a project’s sustainability goals.

AK: Yes, I’ve seen more visibility and interest in ESG and green buildings. Colleagues have shown interest in taking up green building training and how to better integrate sustainability into their work. That signals real momentum.

Q: How has this recognition helped amplify your voice or work?

SN: It’s made me more aware of green building, even in my personal life. I now think about water fittings at home or ways to improve energy use. Once you do the training, you see opportunities for sustainability everywhere.

TS: It’s expanded my ability to drive change and solidified my role as a leader in sustainable design.

AK: It’s reinforced the value of the lens I bring. I feel more confident advocating for inclusive, long-term solutions, and challenging decisions that don’t align with sustainability goals.

Q: What advice would you give to women entering the green building sector?

SN: Take every opportunity to upskill yourself. Enrol in courses such as the Designing for Greater Efficiency training. Don’t be afraid to get started: as women we always wait for the perfect time but sometimes you don’t need a perfect time.

TS: Stay true to your passion. Don’t underestimate your voice. The sector needs assertive, innovative thinkers. Seek mentorship, be open to learning, and push boundaries.

AK: Don’t hold back. I wasn’t sure I’d make it when I entered, but I reminded myself that impact looks different for everyone. Whether you’re working in design, policy or community engagement, your contribution matters. Speak from the heart, take up space.

Q: What’s next for you?

SN: I’m studying towards becoming a chartered financial analyst (CFA). My goal is to bridge green building, finance and investment, and innovate in that space.

TS: I’m currently working on a large commercial development where we’re pursuing EDGE certification. I’m also looking to mentor more, speak more and position myself as a thought leader in regenerative design.

AK: I want to create more systemic impact, shaping policies and strategies for more inclusive climate action. And I’m passionate about mentoring the next generation of change-makers.

“It is heart-warming to hear how the lives of last year’s competition winners have been positively affected from a personal perspective, in gaining more confidence in themselves and their skills, as well as how they are now seen as leading change in their professional capacities,” says Cairncross.

www.gbcsa.org.za/women-in-green-building-competition/