Giyani student breaks barriers in engineering
Milisa Mpini, a first-year student at Letaba TVET College in Giyani, is challenging gender norms by pursuing a career in automotive engineering.
LIMPOPO – Milisa Mpini, a 20-year-old first-year automotive engineering student at Letaba TVET College’s Giyani Campus, is one of the few females pursuing a career in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Born and raised in Reeston in the Eastern Cape, Mpini’s passion for engineering and mechanics ignited at a young age.
From an early age, she was fascinated by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), drawn to the impressive roads, bridges, and structures that shaped the world around her.
Her father, a mechanic with no formal qualifications, played a significant role in nurturing her interest. She spent time working alongside him in his workshop, where she learned the basics of mechanics.
However, her father always encouraged her to pursue formal education to gain the qualifications he never had.
After graduating from high school, Mpini enrolled at Letaba TVET College to further her education in automotive engineering. She says she is proud to be one of the few female students in a field dominated by men, but she remains determined to make a meaningful impact through her studies. “I always knew I wanted to make a difference through engineering, and I was fortunate to have a strong role model in my father,” Mpini explained. “His dedication to raising me taught me that my background doesn’t define my future.”
Despite the challenges that come with being a woman in a male-dominated industry, Mpini is undeterred. Her father, though supportive, warned her that breaking into this field would not be easy, but she is ready to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Letaba TVET College spokesperson Godfrey Mabasa expressed pride in having passionate students like Milisa but also highlighted a concerning trend. “Every year, we receive a small number of applicants for STEM courses,” he said. “We have observed that many females still view fields like engineering, mechanics, and bricklaying as jobs for men. We encourage more women to consider these courses, as there are successful women in these fields.”
