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who is equally at home in the
railway and baby food sectors
entrepreneur
A serial
Famous singer Beyonce once said, “This goes out to all the women getting it,
you’re on your grind. To all the men that respect what I do, please accept my
shine.” It is these words that have seen our alumna Dorothy Mofomme thrive in
what was once seen as a male-dominated space – and that’s just the start.
D
orothy has come full circle in her career as an
engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and mentor
to many. Arriving at MUT in 2000 from the village of
Marapong on the border of the Mpumalanga and
Limpopo provinces, Dorothy knew that she needed to keep
her chin up and make her presence felt as she embarked on
her diploma in electrical engineering. Right from the onset
she never profiled herself as a follower but a leader, taking on
the huge responsibility of being a class representative during
her first and third semesters. From then on, nothing could
stand in the way of her becoming a respected engineering
technician and fulfilling her dream of starting her own
engineering company and uplifting women and young girls
in the sector.
Dorothy boasts a very rich career that includes many
successful projects in state-owned and private enterprises in
South Africa and Africa. Her extensive experience, drive and
passion propelled her to found her first company, Valotec228,
in 2011. It was a very ambitious move for a woman to venture
into the railway sector but Dorothy was set on her goal of
making a mark and creating opportunities for young people.
The business provides a variety of solutions to the railway
industry, including railway signalling, mechanical design,
assembly, construction, railway maintenance, optic fibre
solutions as well as quality management solutions.
Valotech228 has given Dorothy an opportunity to give back
to her
alma mater
by training six MUT electrical engineering
students. Her support for university students extends to
include other universities and TVET colleges. For instance
she has transferred her skills as a guest lecturer for BTech
students at Tshwane University of Technology and worked
with deaf learners from various communities in Gauteng to
give them hands-on information technology experience.
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