Early Life and Education
In South Africa’s Limpopo Province’s Vhembe District, Phumudzo Thenga was born. She was raised in the rural community of Dzata. Thenga’s parents emphasized the value of education to her, and she attended a nearby elementary school before relocating to Johannesburg to finish high school. Thenga’s excellence in school got her a scholarship to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg.
Phumudzo Thenga Biography
Phumudzo Thenga is a determined and successful businesswoman who has made a name for herself in the mining, energy, and logistics industries. Despite facing challenges and public scrutiny, she remains focused on her career and continues to inspire many with her entrepreneurial journey and philanthropic efforts. Her story is one of resilience, ambition, and perseverance.
Career Trajectory
Thenga started her work as a graduate engineer with Sasol, one of South Africa’s biggest petrochemical firms, after graduation. Thenga participated in several initiatives at Sasol aimed at minimizing the business’ carbon footprint and advancing sustainable business practices.
Thenga began working for Eskom, the biggest electricity provider in South Africa, in 2011. She advanced swiftly and was given the position of Divisional Executive for Group Capital in 2016. Thenga was in charge of overseeing Eskom’s capital projects, which included building new power plants and maintaining existing ones.
Thenga received recognition for her work at Eskom from some international organizations. She was recognized by CEO Global in 2018 as one of the Most Influential Women in Business and Government in Africa. The same year, Thenga was included in the Forbes Africa Under 30 list.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Thenga has excelled professionally and is dedicated to giving back to her community. She founded the Phumudzo Thenga Foundation, which aims to advance entrepreneurship and education in rural areas. The charity supports local small companies and awards scholarships to kids from underprivileged families.
Thenga also serves as a role model for young women in the engineering industry. Speaking on various occasions, she has inspired young girls to seek jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines.
FAQs
Who is Phumudzo Thenga?
Phumudzo Thenga is a South African businesswoman and entrepreneur, known for founding Lwendo Minerals (Pty) Ltd in 2018 and Lwendo Resources (Pty) Ltd in 2016. Her companies specialize in fuel supply, logistics, mining, and corporate resourcing.
What is her educational background?
Thenga was born in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa, and raised in the rural community of Dzata. She attended local schools before moving to Johannesburg to complete her high school education. Her academic excellence earned her a scholarship to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg.
What was her career path before founding her companies?
After graduating, Thenga began her career as a graduate engineer with Sasol, one of South Africa’s largest petrochemical companies. She later joined Eskom, the country’s primary electricity supplier, where she rose to the position of Divisional Executive for Group Capital in 2016. In this role, she oversaw capital projects, including the construction and maintenance of power plants.
Has she received any notable recognitions?
Yes, in 2018, Thenga was recognized by CEO Global as one of the Most Influential Women in Business and Government in Africa. The same year, she was listed in Forbes Africa’s Under 30 list, highlighting her significant contributions to the industry.
What philanthropic efforts is she involved in?
Thenga established the Phumudzo Thenga Foundation, which focuses on promoting education and entrepreneurship in rural areas. The foundation provides scholarships to underprivileged students and supports local small businesses. Additionally, she serves as a role model for young women in engineering, encouraging them to pursue careers in STEM fields.
What is her connection to 21st Century Media and Thabo Bester?
In 2017, Thenga was approached by an individual named “Tom Motsepe,” who proposed creating 21st Century Media. Unbeknownst to her at the time, “Motsepe” was an alias used by convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester. Thenga became the sole director of the company but later discovered Bester’s true identity and his fraudulent activities. She has since distanced herself from Bester and the company, stating that she was also a victim of his scams.
How has she responded to the controversy surrounding 21st Century Media?
Thenga has publicly stated that she had no involvement with Bester after 2018 and was unaware of his criminal background during their business interactions. She has taken legal steps to clear her name and emphasizes that she was deceived by Bester, just like many others.
Conclusion
Phumudzo Thenga is a successful entrepreneur and business leader known for her contributions to mining, energy, and logistics in South Africa. Despite facing challenges, including her past connection to Thabo Bester, she has remained focused on her businesses and philanthropic efforts. Her journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and determination, making her an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs.
