by Phumla Mkize
Women leaders in the science and engineering fields shared their triumphs, trials and tribulations at a unique celebration that kicked off Women’s Month at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
Titled “The Untold Story of Women Scientists in Mzansi”, the event was a collaboration between TUT, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the South African Agency for Science and Technology and was held on 1 August 2025 at TUT’s Pretoria Campus.
From Section Head of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at TUT, Dr Munyadziwa Ramakokovhu to biotechnology expert and Chief Operations Officer at Rhyzotherm, Cleo Ndhlovu, to Wits mining engineering student and founder of Innovation for a Sustainable Future, Asiphe Nhleko, the women shared stories of prodigious talent, resilience and a hunger to break stereotypes – and the ceiling.
Dr Ramakokovhu shared how, in primary school, she requested to be moved from needlework that was exclusively for girl learners to gardening and drawing, which was a boys’ domain. She said her rural school in Venda, Limpopo agreed - on condition her parents approved - thinking that her family would not accede to such a request. “My teachers didn’t know that at home I was helping my father fix cars,” she chuckled.
She added that when she saw she was the only girl in the class, she went on a campaign to recruit her friends. Her passion for engineering was evident at an early age. She completed her matric at a technical high school and went on to study metallurgical engineering at TUT.
Dr Munyadziwa Ramakokovhu showed an interest in engineering at an early age
Executive Dean in the Faculty of Science, Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka-Fleischmann, was only four years old when she started school. Her parents sent her to school early to keep her curious mind preoccupied.
Prof Mokgalaka-Fleischmann was not the only child star among the women, Public Health Lecturer Dr Maasago Sepadi finished matric at 15 and was the toast of her township with her outstanding matric results. She heard about environmental science during a career guidance session, piquing her interest in the field.
Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka-Fleischman reflects on leadership
Though Nhleko is only in her second year of studies, she is an emerging young innovator focused on creating sustainable solutions to South Africa’s challenges. Her water-powered generator, HydraGen, is helping families in her village get affordable electricity. She has been building prototypes of products such as automatic teller machines since she was in high school.
Student Asiphe Nhleko is the innovator behind HydraGen
Dr Ramakokovhu, a mother of three children, said she was either working on a proposal or a thesis when she was pregnant with each of her children. “For most women, the peak of their careers is also when they are family planning,” she said.
The working conditions for women in male-dominated fields such as mining also pose challenges. Dr Ramakokovhu shared that the nearest women’s toilet at a mine she worked at was 1km away.
She also highlighted that even some of the tools of the trade such as personal protective clothing were not designed with women in mind.
Ndhlovu shone the spotlight on the pains of breaking the glass ceiling. She was appointed manager of TUT’s ground-breaking Centre for Tissue Engineering when the field was still lily white. “It was a challenge to prove that skin colour has nothing to do with ability,” she said, adding that being a young woman leader also posed its own set of challenges.
Cleo Ndhlovu is a biotechnology expert and Chief Operations Officer at Rhyzotherm
Prof Mokgalaka-Fleischmann emphasised the importance of rest and self-care, saying she prioritised it when she experienced burn-out. “I made radical lifestyle changes,” she said adding that this included her diet, learning to say “no” and being mindful and resting during vacations.
On leadership, Prof Mokgalaka-Fleischmann said: “Leadership starts with mastering self-leadership by showing up on time and submitting assignments and tasks on time.”
Dr Ramakokovhu said self-awareness is an important quality in leadership. “It is important to know your strengths and weaknesses,” she said.
On mentorship, the women pointed out the importance of shared values between mentor or mentee.
Dr Mathoto Thaoge was the programme director for the day
Dr Maasago Sepadi is a Public Health Lecturer at TUT
TUT student and poet renders emotive works highlighting the scourge of GBV.