Parliament committee flags lack of women in nuclear industry, calls for change

Members of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy say the nuclear sector has been closed off to the majority and are calling for more women's representation.

Members of the committee also say the industry needs more diversity in influential positions in the sector, including on the board of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), which licenses and has oversight over the industry.

The committee deliberated on Wednesday on the shortlisting of applications for the national nuclear regulator board, which is currently sitting with several vacancies.

Earlier this year, Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa had invited nominations for people to serve on the board, with submissions closing in March.

He called on people with experience in radiation protection, nuclear medicine, electrical engineering, and mining, among others.

More than 50 people have since applied, but most of them are men.

Committee member Fasiha Hassan-Duma told the committee that the nuclear industry has been mostly closed off to the majority of South Africans and called for more inclusivity.

"We must understand our history; we must also understand the fact that the nuclear industry is one that has been historically closed off, particularly to the black masses of our people. And there are quite a few candidates on that list who are black, who are youth and who are women.

Members of the committee have also called for more “Community representatives” to be considered for the nuclear regulator’s board.

The committee will meet to continue its deliberations.