The days when women were considered the weaker sex are long gone, according to Ms Elelwani Rambuda, a mechanical engineer from Tshimbupfe Mavhulani village near Vuwani. At 27 years of age, Rambuda holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Vhembe TVET College and makes a living by fixing heavy machinery such as generators, grasscutters, water pumps, chainsaws, and compactors.
After graduating from college, she worked as a volunteer for a tool-repair company in Thohoyandou, which later hired her as a permanent employee. While working, she simultaneously registered her own business, which was successfully established in 2020. In 2021, she resigned from her job to dedicate herself fully to her own business. Working from home and traveling to clients to fix their equipment, she faced a breakthrough when a local businessman, Mr Langanani Ravele, offered her a building in Vuwani to operate from, free of charge, in recognition of her hard work.
Having her own workshop now makes her work much more manageable. Her clients no longer have to come to her home, and she does not need to travel to assist them. She expressed deep gratitude to Langanani Ravele for the support, which has significantly contributed to the growth of her business.
Ms Rambuda encourages other young women to take initiative and create their own job opportunities. She challenges those who still hold beliefs about women's inadequacy in any job field, saying they are in denial. Ms Rambuda believes that self-belief and hard work are key to realising dreams and achieving success. She urges others to set realistic goals and work diligently to accomplish them as success will naturally follow with dedication and effort.