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Breaking Barriers: Virginia Motaung’s Journey to Engineering Excellence
This Women's Month, we honour women as active agents of change and social transformation. It's a time to reflect on the progress made, the challenges still ahead, and the ongoing drive to accelerate economic reforms that unlock women's potential. At Tharisa Minerals, we pride ourselves on empowering women in male-dominated fields.
Success is often shaped by resilience, determination, and the right support system - qualities that Tharisa Minerals bursary recipient and graduate Virginia Motaung exemplifies.
Virginia was born in Wonderkop Village, Northwest province. She pursued her undergraduate studies through National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) courses, successfully completing both Mechanical and Auto Electrical studies (N2 & N3).
Virginia completed her theoretical studies at Global Tech Engineering College in Rustenburg and is now attending practical training at the Artisan Training Institute’s Roodepoort campus in Johannesburg. Currently, she is working towards her N4 Mechanical qualification.
As a rising star in engineering, Virginia secured second place as the Best Engineering Learner under the Association of Mine Resident Engineers (AMRE) - a remarkable achievement made possible through her dedication and the unwavering support of Tharisa Minerals. This prestigious event, held in Rustenburg, recognised Virginia’s hard work and potential, solidifying her as one of the brightest young talents in the field.
For Virginia, engineering is more than just a profession - it's a passion fuelled by her biggest inspiration: her mother.
From an early age, her mother instilled in her the belief that no dream is too big, and no goal is out of reach. It’s this unwavering support that has driven Virginia to break boundaries, proving that with determination, anything is possible.
"You can achieve what you put your mind to," she says, encouraging other young women to step into spaces where they are often underrepresented.
Virginia's achievements are proof of what is possible when talent meets opportunity. As she continues to build her career, she stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring engineers, reminding them that success isn't just about personal ambition - it's about uplifting those who come after you. Tharisa Minerals remains committed to fostering these success stories, proving that true progress lies in empowering the communities we serve.
Tharisa Minerals goes beyond financial support by equipping students with the hands-on experience needed to transition from the classroom to the workplace. Programmes like the 8-Week Workplace Training Programme provide aspiring professionals with practical exposure, allowing them to sharpen their technical skills while learning directly from industry experts. Employees who mentor and train young professionals gain a deeper sense of pride, knowing their expertise is shaping future leaders.
These initiatives do more than just create opportunities - they open doors that might have otherwise remained closed. Beyond individual success stories, Tharisa’s commitment to youth empowerment strengthens entire communities.
