Zandile Mbali had always dreamed of becoming a social worker, but due to financial difficulties, she was forced to put her education on hold, and struggled with uncertainty, unsure of how to move forward.
However, after years of being at home with no prospects, Mbali found a new path, one she never imagined for herself. This after a friend introduced her to the diverse training programmes offered at Xilembeni Project Centre of Excellence, a non-profit organisation (NPO) funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
Today, the 32-year-old from Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, in the eastern part of Gauteng, is proudly studying Building Engineering at Xilembeni.
Mbali had initially hesitated at the thought of joining a male-dominated industry and the idea of lifting bricks, mixing concrete and working on construction sites seemed intimidating.
However, the encouragement of her classmates, mostly men, gave her the confidence to take a leap of faith.
“Women are underrepresented in the construction industry, but my dream is to start my own construction company. Turning back is not in my vocabulary. The men in my class are incredibly supportive, and that has made all the difference,” Mbali said.
Determined to succeed, she started researching the experiences women in construction go through, and she discovered some of the challenges they face, including discrimination, harassment, gender bias, and the struggle to balance work and family life.
However, Mbali also realised that the right work environment and support system could make all the difference.
On her first day at Xilembeni, Mbali was introduced to the basics of digging and setting a foundation, both literally and figuratively. With each passing day, her confidence grows, and she now looks forward to furthering her education and expanding her skills.
She hopes to inspire other young people, especially women, to explore opportunities beyond traditional careers.
“Many learners give up on life when they cannot afford university, not knowing that government offers opportunities like Xilembeni. I want to share this information because too many young people in my community are falling into dangerous lifestyles, such as substance abuse.”
Mbali was also pleasantly surprised by the support she received at Xilembeni, which not only provides training, but also offers transportation and daily meals, alleviating some of the burdens on the students.
With graduation now on the horizon, Mbali stands proudly as a future builder. Her next goal is to establish her own construction company, proving that no dream is too big — even in an industry historically dominated by men.
Her story is one of resilience, courage, and the power of second chances. Through hard work and determination, Mbali is not just learning to build structures; she is laying the foundation for a bright future. – SAnews.gov.za
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