Qhakazile Mathebula, City Power’s Acting General Manager for Business Development, has called on women in engineering and energy to move beyond being task executors to becoming strategic thinkers, a shift she believes is critical for building a high-value Smart City capable of meeting its service delivery mandate.
A certified Project Management Professional and registered Professional Engineering Technician, Mathebula has over 17 years of experience in the energy sector. She began her career in 2003 as a junior technician at Highveld Steel and today leads major infrastructure and renewable energy projects at City Power. With expertise in grid expansion, renewable energy, and digital transformation, she continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the utility’s future.
Mathebula argues that the barriers to women’s progress are often unwritten, rooted in accepted norms rather than formal policies. “Women must not just participate but lead,” she stresses, underscoring the need for women to step into strategic sectors of the economy.
Although progress has been made, the engineering profession remains largely male-dominated, with women representing only 6% of registered engineers. Women also continue to earn significantly less than their male counterparts. For Mathebula, the way forward lies in greater representation of women in boardrooms and leadership positions, while also commending City Power for its women empowerment initiatives.
She insists that women must transition from operational roles to strategic leadership. “Women should drive and promote entrepreneurship through female founders who are changing the game, as well as encourage career pivoting and navigating professional transitions,” she explains.
Reflecting on her journey from traffic signal officer to senior leader, Mathebula emphasises resilience, consistency, and courage as the cornerstones of breaking barriers. “When one woman rises, she creates space for others to rise with her,” she says.
Her call to action is clear: “The future of engineering in South Africa depends on women taking their rightful place at the table.”
Written by Kgagodi Madiba