Engineering Her Future: Akhona Ntanjana’s Rise in the Automotive Industry
Mandela alumna, Akhona Ntanjana’s journey from the small town of Matatiele in Maluti to becoming a rising leader in the automotive industry is a remarkable story of perseverance, passion, and empowerment. Born in 1998, Akhona was nurtured by a strong network of women, including her grandmother, mother, and aunts, whose unwavering love and support laid the foundation for her success. Their guidance instilled in her a deep sense of determination and the belief that she could achieve anything she set her mind to.
Her academic journey began at Maluti Primary School and continued at Mariazell High School, where Akhona thrived academically and socially. She actively participated in the school choir, chess club, and served on the School Governing Body during both Grade 11 and 12. These extracurricular activities allowed her to develop essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking, all of which would play a crucial role in her future career.
From a young age, Akhona was fascinated by the world around her. She constantly questioned how things worked—from the color of the sky to the mechanics of vehicle designs and the intricacies of business operations and industrial systems. This curiosity sparked her passion for engineering, and she knew that she wanted to pursue a career that blended creativity, design, and technology. It was this early fascination that ultimately led her to Industrial Engineering, a field that combines engineering principles with business operations to drive efficiency and innovation.
Akhona’s educational aspirations brought her to Nelson Mandela University, where she completed her National Diploma in Industrial Engineering. During her time at the university, she was not only focused on her studies but also on personal and professional growth. She became an active member of the Women in Leadership Association, which allowed her to hone her leadership skills, build confidence, and engage in activities that empowered women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Reflecting on her time at Nelson Mandela University, Akhona recalls the group engineering projects that pushed her to think critically and creatively. These projects not only reinforced the importance of teamwork but also provided valuable insights into the challenges faced in real-world industrial settings. Her experience at NMU helped her develop a strong foundation in industrial engineering while preparing her for the professional world.
After completing her National Diploma, Akhona took the first step in her professional journey with an internship at TI Fluid Systems. Her hard work and technical expertise quickly earned her a place in more senior roles, including positions in Project Management and Manufacturing Process Engineering. Throughout these roles, Akhona was involved in process optimization, efficiency improvements, and working closely with various stakeholders—skills that would later become cornerstones of her career.
Today, Akhona serves as a Manufacturing Engineer at Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWGA). In this role, she focuses on process development, new product introductions, and improving production efficiency. Her responsibilities include analyzing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), enhancing work instructions and standards, and introducing new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Akhona thrives in this fast-paced, solution-oriented environment, where she can combine her technical skills with a passion for innovation and data analysis to drive positive change within the company.
Akhona’s success is not only reflected in her career but also in her commitment to giving back to the community. She is passionate about mentorship and dedicates her time to guiding Grade 12 students as they navigate their career choices, particularly in the fields of engineering and technology. Akhona believes in the power of mentorship to inspire and empower young minds, and she is determined to help others find their path to success.
Her charitable involvement extends beyond mentorship, as she actively participates in outreach programs that use music to inspire and support young people. Akhona’s love for music is another way she connects with and uplifts those in her community, providing encouragement and inspiration to the next generation of leaders.
Additionally, Akhona is a strong advocate for women in leadership. As part of her involvement in the Women in Leadership Association at Nelson Mandela University, she worked to empower women who are breaking into male-dominated fields. She understands the challenges that women face in industries like engineering, but she is committed to helping more women step into leadership roles and thrive in their careers.
Looking ahead, Akhona envisions herself stepping into a leadership role within industrial and process engineering. She aims to drive innovation in smart manufacturing, leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance business operations. With her background in data analysis, she is excited about the opportunity to develop business intelligence solutions and contribute to the digital transformation of supply chains and logistics. Akhona is particularly focused on helping businesses optimize their processes through the use of ERP systems and data analytics, ensuring more efficient and sustainable operations.
Moreover, Akhona remains committed to mentoring and supporting women in engineering and leadership roles, helping them to navigate the challenges of working in technical industries and providing them with the tools to succeed.
Akhona’s story is a powerful example of how women are breaking barriers in fields like engineering and manufacturing. As an advocate for women in leadership, she takes great pride in celebrating women. While acknowledging the progress that has been made, Akhona knows that there is still work to be done in achieving greater gender representation in engineering and manufacturing. She is inspired by the increasing number of women who are leading the way in technical industries and is excited to be part of the shift toward more inclusive leadership.
For Akhona, being a woman in automotive engineering is about more than personal success—it’s about contributing to a larger movement that fosters diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the workplace.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that success is not defined by the obstacles one faces but by the resilience, passion, and willingness to learn from them. To future alumni and aspiring engineers, Akhona offers this advice: “Embrace challenges, stay adaptable, and never stop learning. Success is about persistence, resilience, and passion for making a difference.”
She encourages others to dream big, take risks, and step outside their comfort zones. “The world is your canvas, and your masterpiece is yet to be painted,” she says. “Dare to dream, take bold steps, and make your mark. We are all waiting for you!”