Thandi Princess Ngxongo, a brilliant young and energetic woman from South Africa, has transformed her career from farming to chemical engineering, earning recognition as an award-winning engineer.
Thandi Princess Ngxongo was born and raised on a farm near Mooi River, South Africa, where she worked as an assistant to her parents. She developed an interest in chemical engineering while being around cars and machinery on the farm. Despite her rural background, Thandi Princess Ngxongo was passionate about the oil industry and decided to pursue her dreams.
“I grew up playing with old cars filled with petrol and oil smells. I developed an instinct for cars and the oil industry. I wanted to succeed in this male-dominated business,” said Dr. Thandi Princess Ngxongo.
She enrolled in the Durban University of Technology and earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Chemical Engineering. Thandi then joined the petroleum industry, working with refineries and other oil companies.
Not content with the gender-based inequalities and injustices she encountered in the petroleum sector, Thandi Princess Ngxongo went on to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration. She later obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2022, focusing her research on empowering women in the industry. Her achievements have earned her recognition as an award-winning chemical engineer.
Thandi Princess Ngxongo’s story serves as an inspiration to young women from rural backgrounds, proving that determination and passion can lead to success in any field.
