Randfontein’s Mampho Maoyi doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. We chat to this young
and inspiring engineering geologist who recently became the first black female lecturer in her faculty at the University of Pretoria.
Mampho is just as comfortable behind a large desk in her new office at the University of Pretoria as she is on a mining site. Although she is still young, she is ambitious, friendly and takes her job very seriously. She is an esteemed academic and hopes to inspire young girls who dream big, just like she did.
WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN GEOLOGY? Since Randfontein is a mining town, pursuing a mining career was not far-fetched. In my matric year, there was an Anglo-American programme where I was introduced to different career paths within the mining industry. Back then, I already knew that I wanted to specialise in rock engineering.
WHAT DOES A GEOLOGIST DO? Geology encompasses an understanding of the Earth, which includes the materials present on Earth, the geological processes they have undergone as well as changes that occur. Geology is very broad and I am referred to as an engineering geologist, which is the applied science of geology. I am a full-time lecturer for final year and honours students in rock mechanics and rock engineering respectively. I am also doing my doctoral studies, where I am continuously doing research for the university and the South African Water Research Commission.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? I started consulting and just seven months later, I got to be a full-time lecturer at only 26 years old. I’m thrilled because it is not a position that comes easy. You need to prove your competency and it has a lot of responsibilities. I am grateful for the other faculty members who gave me the opportunity to grow. I also got the opportunity to present my first publication at the 7th African Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference in 2019, and mine was named the best presentation. I was also scheduled to present my research at the 36th International Congress in Delhi between 2 and 8 March, but due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the conference was postponed. There has already been a lot of highlights in my career but most importantly, I have inspired so many other women out there by becoming the first black woman to be appointed in an academic position in the department.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? I am passionate about research and I want to become a National Research Foundation rated researcher. Maybe people will refer to me as Professor Maoyi in a few years’ time.
IN YOUR FREE TIME … I love to go to the gym and I have recently joined a fight club, which I enjoy. When I’m not working, studying or exercising, I like spending time with my friends and family.
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY LIFE … My parents, brother and sister are all hard-working and somewhat academically inclined. My parents have always been very supportive in whatever my siblings and I wanted to do with our lives and for that, I will always be eternally grateful. We do not come from one of the wealthiest families but our parents taught us to work hard to achieve all of our dreams. We come from an area where your dreams can easily be shattered because of other societal factors, but we always had our parents’ support.
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? I am very driven and focused. I am friendly and laid-back, but I will not let anyone stand in the way of my career and my dreams.
To the point:
Morning person or a night owl? I can work in the morning, during the day or at night, but I like to take naps in between.
If a genie granted you one wish, what would you wish for? To win the lottery to be able to afford and maintain a yacht!
Your favourite stone or mineral? Alexandrite.
Your guilty pleasure? I love good food, it does not matter what it is as long as it is good. I gym a lot but I cheat a lot on my diet because I just love tasty, good food.
Text & image: JACO-MARI HAASBROEK.
