Marking 2023’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re featuring some of STEM women in our team! For many years a significant gender gap has persisted at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

To increase and retain women in STEM careers, representation, mentoring and industry support are crucial. As we develop and implement our EV Hamba Technician curriculum, and expand our operations, we have great plans to train, encourage and include more women into the technology side of e-mobility and using decentralised renewable energy.

But for now, meet Rumbidzai Chingosho and Carlin Ngandu (Thandi)...

Rumbidzai was interning with us last year and since finishing her Engineering degree at University of Zimbabwe she has continued with us as Junior Engineer. At her university, there was 10 boys to every girl on her course, but she noted “we’re all just as capable”.

Rumbidzai chose engineering “for 2 reasons: One is from a country sustainability perspective: I strongly believe as Zimbabweans we need to fight to reintroduce and rebuild our industries, creating a strong local market that services its populations without being so dependent on the outside world for everything.
And secondly, I like the idea of knowing that I can solve my own problems. Engineering really helps you to be good at problem solving. You have to understand products and environments from all perspectives as well as basic principles.”

Her goal is to be in the renewable energy space. See Rumbidzai pictured below:

Rumbidzai picture by a Hamba in our factory

Thandi has been with MFA since the very beginning. She joined while studying automobile electrics and electronics. Laughing, Thandi said “It was my mum who suggested what I should study. She wanted me to have better opportunities and believes that a lady should stand on her own, be practical and not have to depend on someone!”

When Thandi first joined she did battery swapping, maintenance of the Hamba, attended to breakdowns and inventory. Now, she is focused more on research and community engagement. She explained “I think it combines well, it’s all related and now I understand what I am monitoring with the research and how it feedbacks into how we improve future use.”

Thandi’s message: “I want more woman to be part of the engineering team, to help this project, to help as many people around Zimbabwe and Africa, the WHOLE of Africa. I just love how this project promotes women helping women.”

Find Thandi pictured below.