When we sat down with Thandokazi (Thando), we expected to talk about her career as a woman in the HVAC-R industry. What emerged was something broader — a story about curiosity, confidence, hard work and the importance of people who recognise potential and are prepared to open a door.
Thando’s journey into HVAC-R was not exactly planned. While studying engineering, her father introduced her to Enviroware Construction (a proud SARACCA member). She knew it was an engineering business and decided that was where she wanted to work — even though she knew very little about what the company did.
“I was like, okay, I’m studying engineering, so I want to work for this company. I didn’t even know what they were doing.”
Thando became the company’s first female apprentice and, when given the choice between working in the office or going into the field, chose the field.
She started where apprentices often do — washing filters, fetching tools and learning by watching. But fetching tools quickly frustrated her because every trip away meant missing the technical work she wanted to understand.
Eventually, she spoke up.
“Every time you do this, I miss a lot of what you guys are doing, and when I get there, you’re done.”
Her willingness to question occasionally earned her a reputation for being “difficult”, but it also caught the attention of Jan, a commissioning manager and senior technical mentor, who recognised her determination to learn.
When Thando told him that nobody wanted to work with her, his response was simple: “Okay, I want to work with you. Let’s go.”
Jan began teaching her how to use instruments, work through calculations, witness work with clients and understand the technical thinking behind commissioning. He eventually asked whether she wanted simply a job or whether she wanted to build a career.
Thando chose a career.
His advice was simple: If she wanted a career, she needed to approach the opportunity like a professional — take it seriously, keep learning, ask questions.
That apprenticeship and the mentorship that followed gave Thando the technical foundation on which much of her career has been built. It also speaks to something SARACCA continues to advocate across the industry: the importance of skills development, apprenticeships and experienced professionals creating opportunities for the next generation to learn in real working environments. Opportunities at Kusile and Medupi Power Stations followed, where Thando developed extensive experience in testing, balancing and commissioning HVAC systems between 2016 and 2022.
But she was never particularly comfortable standing still.
Her curiosity about controls, software and programming eventually drew her towards the rapidly developing data-centre environment. Along the way, people continued to recognise her potential. Esme, who worked at Enviroware and became an important supporterin Thando’s career, helped facilitate an introduction when Thando was looking for her next opportunity.
“She always saw something in me before I even saw something in myself.”
Another opportunity took her deeper into data-centre commissioning, where she progressed from commissioning technician to senior commissioning technician and then into supervision, leading teams while remaining hands-on technically.
“I gained so much from there. And I’m still grateful today because it gave me so much confidence that I can lead the team and do the work.”
Thando later moved briefly into consulting and design after Karen, her lead engineer at the time, encouraged her to explore another side of the industry. The experience broadened her understanding but also confirmed something important: her real passion remained commissioning and being close to the technical work. Alongside that practical experience, she continued building her qualifications, becoming a Red Seal Refrigeration Mechanic and completing an Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 2024.
Then came an opportunity outside South Africa. Thando initially questioned whether she was ready, but a former colleague encouraged her to submit her CV.
During the interview process for a role in the UAE, Niall, Head of Commissioning, recognised the depth of her experience and redirected her towards the commissioning team.
Today, Thando is a Senior Commissioning Engineer (Mechanical) in Abu Dhabi, working on the Stargate 200 MW Data Centre Cluster. Her responsibilities include pre-commissioning, commissioning, functional performance testing and leading technical teams across major HVAC systems. She says she is also the first black woman and first female senior in commissioning in her current environment — an achievement she describes with humility.
Looking back over her journey, there is a clear pattern. People saw potential in Thando and created opportunities — but Thando still had to walk through every one of those doors herself.
And she remains unapologetic about the curiosity that helped get her there.
“It’s OK if I’m difficult, but I’m not going to change my character.”
Opening the next door
When we asked what SARACCA could do for the next generation, Thando’s answer was about access. She believes the association can help bridge the gap between young engineers and technicians looking for opportunities and experienced businesses and professionals with the knowledge and networks to help them. Her challenge to the industry is refreshingly practical: what if every consulting firm mentored just one young engineer? What if established HVAC-R businesses created even one internship?
“We’re not asking for much.”
That thinking speaks directly to what SARACCA stands for. Women in RAC is not separate from the broader industry or from SARACCA — it is part of it. We believe a strong, professional HVAC-R industry is one in which people are supported to develop their skills, build careers and contribute based on their ability and commitment.
There should be no distinction in the opportunity to learn, participate and progress. Sometimes all it takes is one apprenticeship, one introduction, one mentor or one person prepared to recognise potential.
And sometimes it begins with two very simple words:“Let’s go.”