Our recent Gender Mainstreaming webinar, held on 4 June, celebrated technical excellence in engineering, and spotlighted the voices of leaders like Jabulile Msiza and Tshidi Mndzebele.

Jabulile, CESA Board Member and HOD – Waste Department, at Jones & Wagener, reminded us that mentorship is more than sharing knowledge – it’s about investing in growth. “Mentorship at Jones & Wagener went far beyond sharing knowledge – it was deeply rooted in my growth. That guidance was instrumental in my ECSA registration back in 2010.”

Her advice to young professionals is clear: “If it is to be, it’s up to you. Speak up. Advocate for yourself. Identify the training you need. Those who ask are the ones who get it, and if the answer is no, keep knocking until you hear a yes.” This message is particularly powerful as we start #YouthMonth – a call to own your journey and being proactive in your career.

Tshidi, CESA Gauteng Branch Chairperson and Founder and CEO of AvenirHoldings, also shared her wisdom on navigating the engineering landscape. “Circumstances don’t determine the path of your career – you do! Decide where you want to be and go for it.”

She emphasised professionalism, preparation, and technical excellence as foundational: “Show up. Be prepared. Be professional. And always let your technical excellence speak for you.” Reflecting on her two decades of experience, Tshidi encourages us all to find joy in our work: “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. What you do should be an extension of who you are.”

Both leaders highlighted the importance of embracing change and cultivating environments where everyone can thrive. Jabulile urges us to “embrace change, especially technology and AI, and the doors it opens. The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing.” Tshidi added perspective on gender mainstreaming, noting it means “being mindful of the different dynamics people bring, and creating a conducive environment for growth. The ground must be fertile enough to help us evolve from being technically strong to becoming true leaders.”

As Jean Gerber, our YPF Western Cape Chairperson and Civil Technologist at Daveng Consulting Engineers, facilitated the webinar and an insightful Q&A session, it was clear that fostering technical excellence and leadership through inclusion is a shared responsibility. Together, we are shaping a future where every engineer can succeed!

All the highlights of the webinar can be viewed on our X platform: @The_CESA