RS South Africa, a trading brand of RS Group plc (LSE: RS1) and a leading provider of industrial product and service solutions, is celebrating International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2025 on 23 June by proudly spotlighting two remarkable young women shaping the future of engineering in South Africa: Lerato Tshabangu and Zinhle Sengibongile Mthiyane. Their stories reflect not only personal determination and resilience, but also the critical role that support, representation, and inclusion play in building a more diverse STEM landscape.
Held annually, INWED is an initiative by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) that highlights the achievements of women engineers worldwide. The 2025 theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, underscores the power of collaboration, community, and inclusivity in engineering. It calls for collective action to foster gender diversity and create a global network where every aspiring woman engineer can thrive. For RS South Africa, this is more than a campaign, it is a cause.
Lerato Tshabangu: Powering Through Adversity with Purpose
Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Lerato’s journey began with an initial foray into electrical engineering. However, she soon realised her passion lay in the mechanical world, where problem-solving and innovation meet.
Her father, an artisan, was her earliest inspiration. “Watching him work with his hands, fixing and building, was mesmerising. His dedication and ingenuity sparked a fire in me that led to engineering.”
Financial hurdles once threatened to derail her studies, but RS South Africa’s sponsorship changed everything. “Their support lifted a massive burden,” Lerato explains. “It was not just financial aid; it was an investment in my future. With their help, I could focus, learn, and even get a laptop, which became essential for my studies.”
Lerato’s academic path has not been without challenges. From adapting to university life and navigating group dynamics dominated by male peers, to the devastating loss of her father in her second year, she has shown immense resilience. “There were moments I felt isolated, but I kept pushing. The #TogetherWeEngineer theme speaks to me because it is in unity that we build strength.”
Looking ahead, she aspires to enter mining engineering, eager to gain practical experience maintaining and repairing equipment. She believes the future of engineering is inclusive: “Creativity knows no gender. I am excited to see more women entering the field and leading with innovation.” Her message to young girls is powerful: “Do not let anyone define your limits. Your dreams are valid, and your strength lies in believing in yourself.”
Zinhle Sengibongile Mthiyane: Designing with Purpose and Precision
For Zinhle, engineering is as much about aesthetics as it is about precision. A passionate mechanical engineering student, she first discovered her love for design after seeing a female student working on floor plans in high school.
That moment of inspiration led her to choose Engineering Drawings and Information Technology, subjects she had not originally planned to pursue. “What drew me in was the challenge of creating solutions that are both beautiful and functional. I have always loved accuracy, and engineering rewards that love with purpose.”
Before university, Zinhle completed a year-long course in Systems Development, further grounding her interest in technology. Still, the transition to tertiary education brought financial and social challenges. “I did not know anyone, and everything was so expensive,” she shares. “RS South Africa’s sponsorship lifted the stress of rent, food, and utilities. It gave me peace of mind and the freedom to focus.”
The INWED 2025 theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, deeply resonates with her too. “Being part of a supportive community makes you feel like you belong. RS did not just support me, they saw me. That belief carries me forward.”
Zinhle dreams of joining a global network of engineers, contributing to collaborative solutions that tackle real-world problems. She is actively seeking opportunities in design competitions, STEM initiatives, and international platforms to grow her skills and make an impact.
Though she has not faced major gender-based obstacles, she recalls having to adapt in a hands-on manufacturing lab: “Being left-handed and not very physically strong meant I had to find my own way. It taught me adaptability and self-trust.”
Her vision for the industry is clear: more hands-on mentorships for women, inclusive learning environments, and visible representation in leadership. “When you see someone who looks like you succeeding, it changes what you think is possible.” Zinhle’s advice to future engineers: “You do not have to know everything, just start. Let your curiosity lead you and never apologise for taking up space.”
RS South Africa: Empowering the Next Generation
For both Lerato and Zinhle, RS South Africa has been a pillar of support and a source of inspiration. Their stories are testament to the transformative power of opportunity and the ripple effects it can create. As RS continues to invest in future talent, it also advocates for industry-wide changes that prioritise diversity, inclusion, and sustainable support for women in engineering.
INWED 2025 reminds us that when we engineer together, we build a future that is not only more innovative, but more equitable. RS South Africa is proud to stand behind young women like Lerato and Zinhle, and to celebrate the future they are engineering, together.
To learn more about how RS is empowering the next generation of innovators, visit the RS South Africa website.
