Ms Keitumetse Molamu

It’s my responsibility to ensure that NRF-SARAO has an environment that is conducive to great engineering work; we have the right people with the right skills to do that work; and the people we hire have all the resources they need.

To do that, I oversee the engineering teams at NRF-SARAO which are comprised of a broad range of engineering disciplines. The team not only covers many engineering disciplines but also includes the project and program management staff in the company. My department’s four key duties are:

• Design and development: We are tasked with creating innovative solutions to complex problems. This involves the development of cutting-edge technologies.
• Maintenance and operations: We ensure the continuous and efficient operation of NRF-SARAO equipment. This requires regular maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrades to keep our systems at the forefront of technological capability.
• Collaboration and integration: Our work is deeply collaborative, involving coordination with scientists, and local and international partners to name a few.
• Project management: Engineering projects at NRF-SARAO are often large-scale and multifaceted. Effective project management is essential to keep these projects on track, within budget, and aligned with our scientific goals. These activities are underpinned by systems engineering which governs how we run all of our engineering efforts.

What inspired you to become the leader that you are today?

What motivated me to step up and become a leader is the belief that things could be different or better, and that I can play an important role in making things better or different.

I never imagined that I would be a leader in the engineering field. Early in my career, I was comfortable playing a role in the background until the opportunity to lead became available. I felt called to lead. I had a passion for the work that we did, the people, and the company. So I believed that if I stepped up, I could do what’s in the best interests of all parties. I believe leadership is a service role and it’s the best way for someone to drive the change that they want to see.

I doubted myself a lot back then and in some ways I still do. However, trying means more to me than walking away just because I think I could fail at something. At some point I will fail, I have failed, and everybody does eventually. It’s not a big deal, even if it feels like it at that moment. In five years, you will see that your failure was not the end of the world, and most likely, it led to something positive.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

No one can tell you what you are capable of, no one truly knows you well enough. If you feel like you want to take the lead, step up and try it. Have the courage to pursue your dreams. Courage is all about taking that step even when you feel afraid or not entirely sure you can do it.

As women, we are brought up to look after those around us – ahead of ourselves. This has disabled women in some ways but has also ingrained within us a valuable leadership quality that can have a positive impact on the people and environments where we work.

Look at the bigger picture of what you want for your life. Try each day to take a step that puts you closer to that goal. Just as no one can know you better than you know yourself, no one will care more than you do about your success. Be very protective and intentional with your career. Understand that even the most well-meaning people will put you in places where they think you should be – they will be guessing, regardless of what evidence they have. So if someone is going to gamble with your future, rather it be you. That said, make sure you keep people around you who encourage, support and believe in you.

Don’t let short-term gain blind you. Some people will offer you money and positions just because you are a woman. Always get to know the organisation and the position, then ask yourself if this is really where you want to be and if this step is really bringing you closer to your end goal.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. Your end goal could just be a picture of the lifestyle you want and not a specific position at a specific company.

Have fun along the way, and prioritise things that bring you joy, even career-wise. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so don’t put your joy off for tomorrow. Trust that your joy is always leading you a step closer to your end goal even if it doesn’t look like it in the moment.