From a curious grade 7 attempting to build a stadium, to a successful Process Engineer, Karabo Mtsweni’s childhood fascination with intricate connections, sparked by a challenging school project, propelled her into the world of STEM, where she is flourishing and making significant contributions in the automotive industry.
Gqeberha, South Africa (25 June 2025) – Remember those fascinating and somewhat complicated school science or technology projects where you were expected to build something that could move, light up, or just do something really impressive? Well, it was that kind of project that sparked curiosity in a much younger Karabo Mtsweni, guiding her to become the successful engineer she is today.
Attempting to construct a stadium without any engineering or architectural knowledge in grade 7 sparked Karabo’s interest in understanding intricate connections.
This curiosity fuelled her passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and technology, further encouraged by a high school excursion to a science centre in Johannesburg.
In 2022, she graduated with a BEng Tech, ready to tackle the minerals and manufacturing industry. Her journey with the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme saw her take on the role of a Quality Assurance Intern at a leading automotive seating company in the Eastern Cape.
While the automotive industry was not initially on her radar, she discovered the fascinating intersection between metallurgy and automotive engineering.
Since completing the YES programme, Mtsweni has joined the engineering team as a Process Engineer, working under senior Advanced Manufacturing Engineers (AMEs) and a Project Manager.
As a Process Engineer, Karabo is making significant contributions, including optimising assembly line processes, improving product quality, and reducing costs. Her role focuses on implementing world-class systems and managing operational excellence within the plant.
This exposure has given Mtsweni a broad perspective on the automotive industry and the numerous opportunities it offers.
The YES programme played a crucial role in her professional development, offering mentorship, support, and modules that fostered self-identification and independence.
Mtsweni’s story highlights the importance of continuous learning, resilience, and the opportunities provided by structured support systems in achieving success in the STEM and manufacturing industries.
Sources: Supplied
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