Empowering young women in science, technology and engineering
A NELSON Mandela Bay high school pupil has recently returned from a five-day programme aimed at exposing young women to careers in maths, science, technology and engineering.
Nwabisa Maphumulo, a Grade 11 pupil at Motherwell’s Cingani High School, was flown to New York to be part of Transnet’s Technology Girls programme two weeks ago.
The ecstatic pupil, who was still reeling from the excitement of the trip, said she was grateful for the opportunity and wouldn’t exchange the experience for anything.
“It was a great experience. I never thought that as young as I am I would have the opportunity to go to New York it was the last thought on my mind,” she said.
Funded by Unicef, the trip lasted five days and gave Maphumulo a chance to attend meetings empow- ering women and young girls to be part of the predominantly male-dominated fields.
A good academic performer, Nwabisa was last year given an award for being the best pupil overall in Grade 10 for maths, geography, life sciences and Xhosa.
Nwabisa said while attending the meetings in New York, she realised she could be anything she set her mind to.
The opportunities are endless, she said, regardless of her background.
“Education is the key to success, without it you can’t get that dream job you have always wanted,” Nwabisa said.
Proud teacher Mxolisi Lugawe said this is the first time a pupil from the school was chosen for something as big as this.
“This will open so many doors for her in future. She’s a hard-working young girl and did her school proud.
“I only have high hopes for her,” said Lugawe.