Engineering a gender first
Former Bay teacher makes it big at project management giant
CHARISMATIC, assertive and determined, Nelson Mandela Bay’s Nomhle “Chinese” Tys has engineered a gender first in the South Africa subsidiary of a major international project management company to make it in what remains a strongly male-dominated industry.
Former Port Elizabeth teacher, marketer, businesswoman and the dedicated mother of a rising rugby star, Tys, 51, was the first woman to hold the post of national senior manager for business development, and Eastern Cape regional manager, at multi-national engineering and project management giant Royal HaskoningDHV.
With its headquarters in Woodmead, Johannesburg, HaskoningDHV enjoys a strong presence in the province with established offices in both East London and Port Elizabeth. It conducts its business in the realm of massive, game-changing infrastructure projects ranging from water treatment works, highway interchanges and airport runway upgrades to pumped water storage schemes.
The company has expertise in many critical sectors ranging from rural development, aviation and mining to transport and the maritime industry.
“This is exactly where I want to be, this is the environment I want to be in – an environment and sector which plays in the big leagues and is at the forefront of changing and improving entire communities and their lives,” enthused Tys, who divides her time between her home in Lovemore Heights, Port Elizabeth, the local office and Johannesburg.
Outlining her journey into the world of government-scale projects, Tys, whose smiling eyes earned her the nickname “Chinese” at a very young age, started adult life with BA, which she later supplemented with diplomas in education, marketing management, project management and strategy.
After gaining invaluable experience as a teacher in Veeplaas, Tys tackled a number of MBA modules before turning her hand to public relations and some business projects.
“It was only after I took up a position at KV3 Engineering, which was later absorbed by WorleyParsons, that I realised the engineering sector was for me.
“Here at Royal HaskoningDHV, where I have been for the past two years, I have been exposed to a whole new world. The company and my position engenders and encourages a passion for change and gives one the opportunity, through projects, to address important socioeconomic issues in SA.
“The company delivers on its positioning as an entity which “enhances society together – which speaks to the all-inclusive, community-participative and transformative approach of the company,” revealed Tys.
Among a range of other achievements, the energetic proponent of self-development served as a mentor at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and Mentor for Vision 4.
In 2007, her achievements were recognised when she was the recipient of the Black Business Summit’s Business Personality Award.
Tys, who has also accrued further experience and expertise while serving on the boards of two prominent Eastern Cape institutions, is also known for her passion for uplifting women and hopes her role in a major engineering firm will encourage other women to break their own proverbial glass ceilings.
“I am passionate about motivating women to transform from prescribed roles. They should strive to become and do what they wanted to do when they were 10 years old,” she said, adding that she encouraged women to blaze new trails and to consistently be the best they could.
Among her top tips to succeed in a career and business are to “develop your skills and be mindful of what you can and should bring to the party, remain reliable and accountable, deliver on your promises, take charge of your future and be self-motivated”.