SAIW BURSARY WINNERS 2023 – Mantwa Nteo

Resilience and Perseverance see Bursary Winner Seize the Day!

Meet Mantwa Nteo; a real example of dynamite coming in small packages! Having graduated from Mampoi High School in 2009, Mantwa's educational journey has been marked by resilience and perseverance. Overcoming the challenges of unemployment with unwavering positivity, she embodies the mantra, "Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth” and she envisions an exciting future in the welding and fabrication industry.

Read more about her journey here:

Q. Please provide some background on where you come from, your school and tertiary education?

A. I come from a small town in the Free State known as QwaQwa. I matriculated in 2009 from Mampoi High School. After facing my fair share of hurdles, particularly in my higher education journey, I made the decision to join a technical college. It was there that I excelled and achieved distinctions in my N1-N5 Mechanical Engineering studies. Fuelled by my thirst for knowledge, I am currently pursuing a Diploma in Operations Management at UNISA.

Q. What are some of the biggest challenges that you have faced during your life so far and how have you overcome these?

A. One of the most significant hurdles I have encountered in my life is the daunting experience of unemployment. Following the acquisition of my N3 certificate in 2017, I held high hopes of securing an apprenticeship with ease. Unfortunately, reality proved otherwise, when I faced multiple rejections from prominent institutions. Coping with these setbacks has been an immense personal challenge. Nonetheless, through unwavering positivity and an unshakeable belief in divine timing, I have managed to overcome these obstacles and persevere in my pursuit of opportunities. This journey has taught me the importance of resilience and the power of keeping hope in the face of adversity.

Q. What would you say are the biggest i. work and ii. life lessons you have learnt thus far in your life or even a quote or saying that sums up your approach to life?

A. The biggest work and life lessons I’ve learned so far in my life is the importance of perseverance. No matter how tough things get, I believe in staying positive and pushing through challenges. As the saying goes, “Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth!”. So, I view every challenge as a chance to learn, develop and become a better version of myself🌻

Q. How do you hope to take your career to even greater heights once you have achieved your SAIW qualification - what are your plans for the future?

A. Once I've achieved my SAIW qualification, I'm really looking forward to diving into new opportunities in the welding and fabrication industry! It's like opening a treasure chest of possibilities for my career as a welding inspector. Holding a Level 1 certification will unlock a whole new world of job prospects, allowing me to tackle thrilling projects that will supercharge my knowledge and skills as an inspector. And you know what? My goal is to become certified IPE! The journey ahead is sure to be an adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster, and I can't wait to take that leap forward and see where it catapults me! Let's go🦸‍♀️💃