{
  "id": 2124144,
  "title": "Tshidi Mndzebele: A trailblazer in engineering recognised at national awards",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/tshidi-mndzebele-a-trailblazer-in-engineering-recognised-at-national",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-20T11:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/capetimes/news/2026-08-20-tshidi-mndzebele-a-trailblazer-in-engineering-recognised-at-national-awards/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tshidi Mndzebele, a pioneering South African engineer and CEO of AvenirHoldings, has been honored at the Construction Industry Development Board's (CIDB) 2026 Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards. The awards ceremony, held during Women's Month, recognized Mndzebele for her exceptional contributions to the construction sector and her unwavering commitment to empowering women in engineering.\n\nThe Chairman's Award, the highest distinction at the event, was bestowed upon Mndzebele for her exceptional leadership that extends well beyond her professional achievements. The CIDB commended her for her significant impact on the construction industry, noting that her influence transcends the projects she has successfully delivered. Her career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable, evolving from a distinguished engineer to a savvy entrepreneur and a vocal advocate for women in the industry.\n\nAvenirHoldings, a wholly owned engineering and infrastructure consultancy by Mndzebele, has been instrumental in providing senior project management, technical, and engineering expertise to the South African market. However, her impact extends beyond the realm of engineering projects. One of the key highlights of her work was her dedication to mentoring young professionals through the Candidacy and Professional Registration Programme. This initiative has achieved an impressive 100% professional registration success rate, with the majority of mentees being women. The program's primary objective is to create pathways for women to enter and advance in an industry where they have historically been underrepresented.\n\nMndzebele's acceptance of this award was particularly poignant, as it acknowledged the success of those she has mentored throughout her career. She emphasized that true leadership involves creating opportunities for others to rise and succeed. Mndzebele underscores the importance of encouraging women engineers to pursue professional registration, as it is a crucial step towards career advancement and leadership roles in the industry.\n\nThe ERWIC Awards honor the excellence of women in the construction sector, with a focus on promoting professional growth and leadership in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men. Receiving these accolades during Women's Month added a layer of significance to Mndzebele's recognition. She highlighted the importance of not only helping women enter the industry but also equipping them with the skills and support necessary to lead it. Her vision for the future is clear: to build a legacy that ensures women in engineering are not only represented in the workforce but also hold influential positions, driving South Africa's economic growth.",
  "summary": "Kimberley-born engineer and AvenirHoldings CEO Tshidi Mndzebele has received two of the construction industry's highest honours at the 2026 CIDB Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction Awards.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}