Resilience, Faith, Growth

We sat down with Eng Liza Zindoga for an in-depth discussion on what drove her to pursue a career in a male dominated field and get to hear how she is coping and also excelling on par with her peers.

Eng. L. Zindoga

Question: Who influenced your decision to pursue a technical field?

Eng L. Zindoga :  I followed my father’s footsteps. I was technical, and I went in. I think where I am today is because of where I come from, what I’ve been taught, and what I’ve experienced. Growing up, I had no brother to do the heavy lifting, so I did it myself. My dad always encouraged me, saying, "It’s just something to do. It doesn’t have to be done by a man; it’s just work, and anybody can do it."

Question: How did your upbringing shape your mindset?

Eng L. Zindoga: My upbringing built my thinking—I can do anything I put my mind to. Whatever comes my way, I can tackle it. So I took Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at A-Level, which was an area with very few girls. We were maybe four or five in a class of 20. It was mainly a boys' club.

When I went to varsity at the National University of Science and Technology, out of 70–75 students, only seven of us were women. We graduated as five female engineers. It wasn’t easy, and it was intimidating being in a field with so few women, but I navigated through it because of my upbringing.

Female Engineers

Question: What role did your father play in shaping your confidence?

Eng L. Zindoga: I need to applaud my dad. He groomed me in a way that I can walk into a room full of men, do what I have to do, and do it well. It takes a lot for a woman to confidently step into a male-dominated space without holding back. But my dad instilled in me early on that it’s just a job—there’s no gender attached to it.

Question: What helped you break barriers in engineering?

Eng L. Zindoga : My faith and my upbringing. I live by Philippians 4:11: “I can do all things through Christ.” That verse shaped my belief that nothing is impossible. The word “can’t” doesn’t exist in my vocabulary.

Also, I enjoyed what I was doing. Many people assume mathematics is for guys, but I jumped into it and loved it. Enjoying what you do makes it easier to succeed.

Question: How do you encourage gender-neutral upbringing in your own children?

Eng L. Zindoga: I have two sons, and my eldest loves cooking. I encourage him because some of the best chefs are men. So, we can’t say the kitchen is for girls, just like we can’t say the garden is for boys. I nurture my children’s passions regardless of gender.

Question: What is your personal philosophy on success?

Eng L. Zindoga: Action. I believe that if something is going to happen, it is up to me. I can’t sit and wait for someone to do it for me—it’s my business, my responsibility. Action enables us to break barriers.

Question: What obstacles did you face as a woman in engineering?

Eng L. Zindoga: The biggest obstacle we face as humans is ourselves—the voice in our head that says, “I can’t.” Fortunately, my upbringing never allowed me to doubt myself.

The second major obstacle is society. When I told people I wanted to go into engineering, they asked, “Are you crazy? What are you doing?” But I learned to tune out the noise and focus on what I wanted.  It’s important to fight that inner voice that tells you that you can’t. And when society doubts you, remember that their opinions are just noise. Stay focused on your goal.

Most people take the easy way out, but perseverance is key. If you have an idea, go with it.

Question: What role do opportunities play in success?

Eng L. Zindoga: Opportunities are out there more often than we think. You just have to grab them. I also took a detour in my career when an opportunity came up in a field I knew nothing about. I jumped in headfirst, flourished, made the money I needed, and then returned to my original career path. Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is necessary to build a foundation for your future.

Mrs Zindoga