Being a woman in a built environment is no walk in the park, especially for a young black professional.

At 30, Abongile Mntu Mketsu, director for infrastructure procurement at the Department of Transport, is already curving her path in the male-dominated industry.

“Industry conditions are not always favourable to females, especially site conditions and the constant relocation,” the Mdantsane, in East London, Eastern Cape, native told Vuk’uzenzele.

“I have been faced with the ‘she is young’ statement more than that of race. I also know that I need to work twice as hard for recognition because I am a young black female. Society constantly requires more and more from us,” she said.

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