I am from Harare, Zimbabwe.
Tanzania
I have a Masters degree in Water Resources Engineering and a Masters degree in Business Administration. My first degree was in Civil Engineering, from the University of Zimbabwe.
I am a Resident Engineer on a Water and Sanitation project funded by the European Investment Bank for Mwanza Town in Tanzania. My work is to ensure the Client gets quality work from the Contractor, within agreed timeframes and specified budget.
My passion for constructing things, for bringing solutions and making impact in communities. The support of my parents was also instrumental.
As an African, who is also a woman, you have to push an extra mile before you can be accepted as great at what you do. Not many companies are willing to take a chance on you on large projects.
I was brought up to be a fighter for what I believe is right or for what I want. That makes me stand strong and not be beat down by the negative energy I sometimes encounter on my professional journey.
Platforms like the one you have created will bring limelight on the Africans who are contributing in STEM. We need more of these fora where Africans in STEM are profiled.
You can! Be tough. Don't give up. Don't look back. Remember, there is always someone to hold your hand along the journey.
There is not much information out there regarding STEM careers. The Joy Makumbe Trust, registered in 2010, provides such platforms for career guidance and entrepreneurial skills workshops for young people in schools and colleges.
I am also working on a book to be launched during the second half of this year. That will be an interesting read for any girl, boy or parent, interested in STEM.