Nomathemba Kgorane, Sasol Bursar Turned Industry Leader
Nomathemba Kgorane, Principal Specialist in Business Development and Partnerships at Sasol, has a job at the cutting edge of the green economy. Her role is all about managing market and supply chain business development opportunities as well as overseeing partnerships in support of Sasol’s decarbonisation strategy.
Nomathemba studied at the University of Cape Town, earning a BSc in Chemical Engineering. She subsequently obtained an MSc in Chemical Engineering as well as a Certificate in Digital Business from the University of Witwatersrand. With 16 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position.
Her journey to this point is a story of resilience, determination, and a passion for success and independence. Born in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, and raised in the small town of Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, she faced challenges from an early age. Orphaned at the age of 14, Nomathemba was raised by a mother who instilled in her the importance of education and self-reliance.
According to StatsSA, 51% of youth aged 18–24 don’t have the financial means to pay for their tuition. As part of this group, Nomathemba knew she needed a bursary to complete a degree and get on the road to success. She discovered that there were more bursary opportunities available for degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) than most fields.
STEM education through Sasol bursary programme
With the aptitude Nomathemba showed for mathematics and science in high school, it was a perfect fit. She applied for and secured a place in the Sasol bursary programme, enabling her to fulfill her ambition. “All I had to do was pass to get my tuition, accommodation, books and allowance paid for,” she says. “And most importantly, I could complete the degree without taking on debt.”
As a Sasol bursar, Nomathemba gained firsthand experience and a broad range of work opportunities before completing her degree. Each year, she worked at the Secunda operation site in Mpumalanga, under the guidance of seasoned engineers. This experience reaffirmed her decision to pursue chemical engineering and provided her with invaluable practical insights into the field.
Nomathemba’s advice to those who wish to follow in her footsteps is to understand the different branches of engineering to make informed career choices based on their individual strengths and passions. “If there is an opportunity to shadow or be mentored by an engineer grab it,” she says, underlining the importance of hands-on experience.
Breaking stereotypes in STEM
Nomathemba says that gender stereotypes that associate STEM with masculinity, male-dominated work cultures, and a lack of women role models contribute to the disparity and are all reasons that women are underrepresented in STEM. “We need to change the narrative that math and science are difficult, as well as a lingering idea that men are better suited to some jobs than women,” she says.
Monica Luwes, Manager of the Graduate Centre at Sasol Corporate Bursary Services, says that South Africa has made great strides towards more equitable gender representation in STEM over the past decade. “There has never been a better time for young women to consider a career in STEM-related fields. That’s especially the case with the shortage of skills in STEM in South Africa,” she adds.
“Sasol is passionate about breaking down barriers and making it possible for more girls to study STEM. One way we are doing our part to shape and educate South Africans is through our corporate bursary programme. We are creating pathways into STEM for young South Africans, including underrepresented groups such as women.”
Sasol is currently seeking high achieving Grade 12 learners with a passion for STEM to apply for its all-inclusive undergraduate bursary. Applicants need to obtain 70% for Maths, 70% for Science and 60% for English to be considered for an undergraduate bursary.
Visit www.sasolbursaries.com to apply and for more information on the opportunities on offer.