Self-belief and confidence is the key to success – Engen’s Mokgadi Phaahla

POLOKWANE – “Wathinta abafazi wathinta imbokodo.”  (You strike a woman, you strike a rock)

Channeling the famous rally cry of the 20 000 brave women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1956 to fight for freedom, Women’s Month serves as a reminder for Engen employee Mokgadi Phaahla to celebrate the extraordinary roles of women in all spheres of society.

Mokgadi Phaahla (23) holds a personal philosophy that you are more than capable of reaching whatever you set your mind to, no matter where you come from and believes that it is important for women to believe in themselves.

Mokgadi grew up in Lebowakgomo and matriculated from S.J Van Der Merwe Technical High School.

Reflecting on what is important to her, the Human Resource (HR) graduate and North-West alumni says she wants to help those who come after her and to make a positive impact in her community.

What concerns her the most is the state of South Africa’s economy and soaring unemployment statistics.

Mokgadi joined the Engen Graduate Development Programme in December 2022 and has learned a lot in a short space of time and says her journey has been incredibly empowering.

Since then, she has been working in the HR department but says one of her greatest challenges has been relocating to Cape Town.

She knew that leaving her home and family was going to be challenging but she had to jump at the opportunity.

One of her proudest moments was becoming a member of the Golden Key Honours Society at NWU and being recognised as one of the top 15 academic achievers in the HR faculty for two consecutive years.

“You don’t need to wait for the perfect time to do something, all it takes is for you to start and do the best you can,” she said.