Olli Ngobeni built a career in automotive engineering and manufacturing, fueled by a childhood interest in cars while living in Bela-Bela, Limpopo province.
Her curiosity, which initially stemmed from conversations with friends about engines, exhaust systems, and the unique sounds of various vehicles, ultimately led her to study mechanical engineering and work in the South African automotive manufacturing sector.
Currently, Ngobeni holds the position of PVT Interior Supervisor at Ford South Africa, where she leads a team supporting the company's production environment.
Her life journey reflects a broader shift occurring in traditionally male-dominated fields of engineering and manufacturing, as more women are increasingly drawn to technical and leadership roles.
When Ngobeni began her studies in mechanical engineering, women were a small minority in the field. She recalls being the only woman in some of her classes, an experience that strengthened rather than suppressed her ambition to become an engineer.
A strong aptitude for mathematics and science during her school years laid the foundation for her studies. While earning her BTech degree, she actively sought opportunities for internships and practical on-the-job training.
This experience eventually led her to Ford, where she joined the company's development pipeline and gained practical experience during university breaks before starting full-time in 2015.
In the early stages of her career, Ngobeni was often the only woman in her engineering group. Since then, she has observed a gradual increase in the number of women entering the manufacturing sector and believes this change has strengthened teamwork and problem-solving by introducing diverse perspectives to the workplace.
In 2023, her career took another step forward: she transitioned from a technical engineering role to a leadership position. This transition required shifting focus from predominantly technical duties to managing people, processes, and production changes within the factory.
As a PVT Interior Supervisor, Ngobeni oversees production changes, manufacturing processes, systems, and capacity planning, while also focusing on staff development within her team.
Alongside her professional career, she obtained a Master's degree in Business Leadership, researching the topic of leadership in male-dominated environments and the role of inclusive leadership in organizational transformations.
Ngobeni hopes to continue advancing to higher leadership positions where she can influence corporate culture, staff development, and operational efficiency.
Her story is part of a wider discussion during Women's Month about women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Although women remain underrepresented in many engineering disciplines, Ngobeni's experience demonstrates the possibilities that can arise with access to education, training, and on-the-job development.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, running, going to the gym, listening to music, and volunteering in her church's children's ministry.
For young women considering a career in engineering, Ngobeni's path from a small town in Limpopo to a leadership role in a South African automotive industry enterprise highlights the growing visibility of women in technical professions and the changing face of leadership in this industry.
