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.
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 a number of 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 recognized for her work at Eskom from a number of 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 at various occasions, she has inspired young girls to seek jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines.
Conclusion
Many young women in Africa and elsewhere find inspiration from Phumudzo Thenga’s life and work. She serves as a role model for future generations because of her dedication to advancing sustainable practices and giving back to her community. Thenga’s accomplishments demonstrate that anyone can succeed if they put in the necessary effort and commitment.
