Happy International Women in Engineering Day! Today, June 23rd, marks the 11th annual celebration of this important occasion. To honour the day, we sat down with Nelisiwe Mathebula, Senior Business Development Manager at Yellow Door Energy and a seasoned engineer with over 15 years of experience. Nelisiwe shared her inspiring journey in engineering and offered valuable advice for the next generation of women entering the field.

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Yellow Door Energy.
What does a typical day look like for you as a Senior Business Development Manager?

My role is intended to channel renewable energy, in particular Solar PV and BESS solutions to the market through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).  On a daily basis, I engage with potential renewable energy offtakers within various strategic sectors, assisting them to effectively achieve their energy strategies, whether it be energy cost reduction, energy security or decarbonization goals. Furthermore, I work closely with various departments such as the Engineering team and Legal team during the development of an optimal solution for the customer.

This year's theme for International Women in Engineering Day is "Together we engineer." What does this theme mean to you personally, and how do you see collaboration shaping the future of engineering?

Engineering is a process of problem solving through scientific principles, so it is key to note that at the core of every Engineer is the desire to find solutions to any problem. Thus, I believe it is important that we all adapt this way of thinking despite the profession that one occupies - in whatever you do, find a solution and ways to improve and enhance whatever you are tasked with. Take a safety pin for example: it was invented by a man who had financial constraints, and in the midst of his frustration, he twisted a piece of wire which led to a discovery of this simple yet great invention that still exist in our modern times. This should remind us that even in the midst of challenges the is always an opportunity to find a solution, thus Together we Engineer. 

Within the Engineering sector, collaboration between various Engineering disciplines has always been at the heart of every solution. You cannot build a power station with Electrical Engineers only, you need Civil, structural, mechanical Engineers amongst many other key disciplines to get to the solution. All Engineering masterpieces have been developed through collaboration. Furthermore, for any Engineering solution to make it into the market and fulfil its purpose, it relies on other professions outside the Engineering sector to get it there, so again collaboration is a key driver of success.

In the spirit of Together we Engineer, I must take this moment to honour women who are not Engineers but operate in the Energy sector, women who embrace our roles in the sector and help us elevate to the pinnacles we aim to reach. 

In particular, I would like to acknowledge the game changers I have been introduced to in Yellow Door Energy, from our recruitment team who open doors of opportunities for us, to Forbes Padayachee, our South African CEO, who leads with intellect and wisdom, to the commercial intelligence team who help us navigate the market with ease, our marketing team who channel us to opportunities in the market and create these platforms for our voices to heard, our office managers who ensures that our work environment is conducive and our legal & risk soldiers who help us de-risk the deals we work on.

Can you share a moment in your career when you faced a significant challenge as a woman in engineering? How did you navigate or overcome that situation?

As a woman in Engineering, you are met with challenges as early as your first class in university, where you are undermined if you choose to look feminine and not fit in with the narrative that women in Engineering are “tomboyish”.  When I started my career 16 years ago, I was confronted with the sad reality that I have to prove myself and my worthiness to occupy the role I was fulfilling and shockingly this emanated from other women more than it did from men. My lack of desire for validation & acceptance from others helped me to navigate this unfortunate challenge. I chose to be unapologetically feminine in a manly environment and channelled my energy towards developing my skills as an Engineer.

From your experience, what are some of the main obstacles women face in the engineering sector in South Africa? Have you seen progress in recent years?

There is a belief that women are given their roles and not earned, thus often women are expected to constantly prove their worthiness to occupy their roles despite their qualifications, experience and proven track record. Furthermore, in some instances their growth is measured on their ability to be submissive to their male colleagues instead of their ability to deliver on their appointment. Having said that, I must acknowledge that in my journey within the sector the ratio of men who have treated me with respect and dignity as a fellow Engineer surpasses those who did not. Most of the Engineering knowledge and skillsets I have acquired has been poured over my cup by male colleagues and mentors. 

There has certainly been progress in recent years in how women are treated within the Engineering sector; less women feel the need to seek approval to be recognised for their worth or the need to overcompensate to be taken serious in the sector, which is quite refreshing to witness.

Your current role focuses more on business development than technical engineering. What inspired your transition, and what engineering skills have proven most valuable in your business role?

My passion for continuous development and my inquisitiveness to learn without boundaries has led to my multiple career pronouns as a Technician, Proposals Engineer, Project Manager, Senior Associate, Synergy Strategist, Consultant, Energy Manager and Senior Business Development Manager. In every role I have been privileged to occupy, each experience prior has been a prerequisite that empowered and gave me skillsets and knowledge that has led to my success in each role. Much like electrons that flow through a conductor when potential difference better known as voltage is applied, I have allowed my potential to guide me through my career path which has resulted in this multifaceted Engineer that I am today.

What advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their journey in STEM or considering a career in engineering? Is there something you wish you had known when you were starting out?

When choosing a career in Engineering, it is key to understand that you do not choose it merely because you are good at math and science but understand that you must be called to serve as an Engineer. Much like doctors & nurses are called to heal and educators are called to teach, Engineers are called to constantly find solutions to improve the way of living. At your core you must have the desire to find solutions, once you have that you will be able to face any challenge that a career in Engineering comes with. 

Lastly, to play in the field of Engineering, it is not about physical strength but rather your mental strength!