Kangnas Wind Farm Plant Manager, in Springbok in the Northern Cape, Brenda Sidaki, is one of a handful of women engineers heading this male dominated industry. In a recent interview with Radio NFM, she discussed why she chose this career and found herself leading this utility scale wind farm.

1. How did you end up at Kangnas Wind Farm?

I received my Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the Tshwane University of Technology, my B-Tech at UNISA and my postgraduate in Management at the North West University.

I began my career at Eskom as a P1 and P2 student trainee and worked my way up to become a Technician, then a Senior Technician, and later a Manager in different departments. I also completed my Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) for factories with the Department of Labour, working for the energy-producing company.

I began my career at Eskom as a P1 and P2 student trainee and worked my way up to become a Technician, then a Senior Technician, and later a Manager in different departments. I also completed my Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) for factories with the Department of Labour, working for the energy-producing company.

2. Why did you pursue engineering?

As a student who excelled in maths and science in high school, and having received a sponsorship from an engineering company, I felt that engineering was something I was born to do. Growing up, I also helped my father fix vehicles and tractors, which inspired me to pursue this career path.

3. Describe your previous working experience being a female engineer.

During the early stages of your career, you need to work harder than your male counterparts. You have to deal with a lot more challenges because you are a woman in this male-dominated field, however, this varies from place to place, so learning your area’s challenges is important