Ché Wannenburg, External Sales & Project Manager at Screenline South Africa, has built her career in the printing industry after growing up around the business through her father, Rew Wannenburg. As part of Sign Africa’s Change 1 Woman initiative, Wannenburg discusses her introduction to the industry, the importance of creating genuine opportunities for women, challenging stereotypes and her experience with Printing SA’s PrintHER mentorship programme.
What inspired you to pursue your career, and what has kept you motivated?
The printing industry, in many ways, found me. My father has been in the industry since I was a little girl, so I grew up surrounded by it. I remember being incredibly curious and excited whenever I had the opportunity to visit the factory. I was fascinated by the machines, the movement, the colours, the smell of ink and the incredible processes that transformed an idea into a finished product.
I think once the ink bites, it really does flow through your veins.
There is something about this industry that gets under your skin. It is such a unique combination of creativity, science, technology and technical expertise. No two days are exactly the same, and there is always something new to learn, solve or create.
What has kept me motivated is that constant opportunity to grow. The industry continues to evolve, and so do the people within it.
I love that there is always room to learn more, challenge yourself and discover new possibilities. For me, printing is not simply about putting ink on a substrate. It is about bringing ideas, brands and visions to life.
What can companies and industry leaders do to better support women in the workplace?
I believe companies and industry leaders need to look beyond traditional perceptions and see the broader potential, talent and capabilities that women bring to the workplace.
Women have strengths, skills and perspectives that can sometimes be overlooked, particularly in industries that have historically been male dominated. Supporting women starts with providing fair and genuine opportunities, whether that means working with heavy machinery, developing technical skills, mixing inks, managing operations, leading a department or sitting at the decision making table.
It is important not to place limitations on someone based on what we assume they can or cannot do. Give women the opportunity, the training and the support, and allow their abilities to speak for themselves.
We also have an incredible generation of young talent entering the industry. They are forward thinking, intelligent, creative and eager to make a difference. Companies need to embrace that talent, invest in it and create environments where people feel safe to learn, contribute and grow.
Ultimately, supporting women should not be about special treatment. It should be about recognising potential, removing unnecessary barriers and ensuring that opportunity is based on ability, commitment and talent.
What is one stereotype about women in your industry that you would like to see disappear?
One stereotype I would really like to see disappear is the idea that a woman’s emotional depth somehow makes her weaker or less capable.
Strong women can sometimes be viewed as intimidating, difficult or ‘too much’, while quieter or more sensitive women may be viewed as lacking confidence or strength. I think both perceptions are incredibly limiting.
Strength does not only look one way.
A woman can be assertive and compassionate. She can be ambitious and kind. She can be emotional and highly capable. She can be quiet, observant and still be an exceptional leader.
Emotional intelligence, empathy and sensitivity are not weaknesses. When understood and used effectively, they can be some of the greatest strengths a person brings to a team or leadership role.
My message would be: take your strong women and let them lead. Give your quieter women the space to be heard.
Stop expecting every capable woman to fit into one particular mould. We need to start recognising that women do not need to become someone else to succeed.
Their individuality is their strength.
What does empowering women mean to you?
To me, empowering women means giving them equal and fair opportunities, but it also means something deeper than that.
It means helping each other recognise our own potential and having the selflessness to support another woman as she grows and succeeds.
I believe there is room for all of us to win. Empowerment should not be about competing against one another. It should be about cheering each other on, sharing knowledge, opening doors where we can and celebrating each other’s successes.
I would love for every woman to truly see her own potential, to feel proud of who she is, to stay true to herself and to feel confident in her abilities.
We are all unique, beautiful and capable of achieving great things in our own way.
Once you help a woman believe in herself and recognise what she is capable of, she becomes incredibly powerful. And when women support, encourage and uplift one another, together we become unstoppable.
Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your career?
I have been incredibly fortunate to have the support and guidance of many wonderful people throughout my journey, including my family, friends and mentors.
While I am passionate about encouraging female mentorship and creating more opportunities for women to support one another, I also believe it is important to recognise the incredible role that male mentors can and do play in our careers.
My biggest mentor and guide has undoubtedly been my father, Rew Wannenburg. Having grown up with his influence and experience in the printing industry, he has taught me far more than just the technical and professional aspects of the business.
He taught me the importance of working hard, working with heart, and approaching everything with integrity and honesty.
We would travel together to work, and those were some of the most inspiring moments I will treasure forever, where we had honest and meaningful conversations.
He has also always been one of my biggest cheerleaders. Through the different stages of my career, he has constantly reminded me of who I am, what I am capable of and, perhaps most importantly, that who I am has always been enough.
I am eternally grateful for every lesson, every conversation and every opportunity I have had to learn alongside him. I honestly do not know where I would be without his guidance.
I have also been incredibly fortunate to have the support and mentorship of my husband, Ismael Moosa. He has taught me so much technically, from ink manufacturing and formulation to troubleshooting machinery and understanding the practical challenges of production.
He has always encouraged me to be confident in my abilities and reminded me that I am capable, even during moments when I may have doubted myself.
His technical knowledge, patience and unwavering support have played a significant role in my journey, and I am incredibly grateful to have him beside me.
What are your thoughts on your mentoring experience with Printing SA’s PrintHER mentorship programme?
My experience with Printing SA’s PrintHER mentorship programme has been inspirational, educational and incredibly refreshing.
One of the most powerful aspects has been hearing the stories of other women in the industry. There is something incredibly inspiring about listening to the journeys, challenges and achievements of women who have walked different paths but share many of the same goals and experiences.
The programme has also been genuinely educational and meaningful. The sessions have offered practical insights and knowledge that can be applied in both our professional and personal development.
What I have perhaps appreciated most, however, is the sense of collaboration. It has created a safe and supportive environment where women can learn from one another, ask questions, share experiences and genuinely want to see each other succeed.
In an industry where women have sometimes felt they needed to prove themselves individually, PrintHER is a wonderful reminder of the power of connection and mentorship.
There is something really beautiful about being part of a community where we share common goals and understand that supporting another woman’s success does not take anything away from our own.
Without a doubt, this has been one of the best experiences I have ever had in the industry, and I am so grateful to be part of the PrintHER Mentorship programme.
What advice would you give to young women who want to follow a similar career path?
Never give up.
There have been times when I have felt too shy, too scared or even unworthy. But I have found that some of my greatest moments of personal growth have come when I allowed myself to step outside my comfort zone and embrace the discomfort.
It is often in those uncertain moments, when we choose to push past our fears and believe in ourselves, that we discover just how capable we truly are.
There will be difficult moments, challenges and times when you may question yourself or your abilities. Try not to see those moments as failures. Instead, see them as opportunities to grow, learn and become stronger.
Work hard, but also work smart. Put in the effort required to get where you want to be, but remember to occasionally step back and ask yourself whether there may be a better, smarter or more effective way to reach your goals.
Never be afraid to ask questions. You are not expected to know everything, and asking for guidance is not a sign of weakness.
Reach out to people, find mentors and learn from those around you. Some of the most valuable lessons in my own career have come from simply being curious enough to ask, listen and learn.
Most importantly, find your inner strength and build on it.
Do not allow the opinions or expectations of others to define what you believe you are capable of achieving.
Be curious. Be willing to learn. Be resilient. Work with integrity.
And when opportunities come your way, even the ones that scare you a little, be brave enough to take them.
Sign Africa are proud media partners of the Women in Print series hosted by Printing SA this month.
C1W Initiative
Change 1 Woman (C1W) aims to empower women in the branding, print and signage industries. As part of this initiative, Sign Africa would like to spotlight women-focused content like this piece. If you have any trend/business articles related to the signage, branding and printing industries, please email content to: info@c1w.co.za. Follow C1W on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.
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