“Finding out that I’d made the 2024 list was a lovely surprise,” says University of Pretoria (UP) graduate Oudi Kgomongwe about being featured on the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans list in the Governance category. “I was browsing online to read up on this year’s list and was wonderfully surprised to see my face as one of the young change-makers listed. This was a great endorsement from the Deputy Director-General for Water Resource Management, Deborah Mochotlhi, who recognised my work in the water sector in South Africa.”

Kgomongwe – who graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Geology from UP in 2013 and  holds an MSc in Hydrogeology from University of the Witwatersrand – is a scientific manager at the national Department of Water and Sanitation. Here, she coordinates the implementation of water science programmes as well as relationship management aimed at leveraging partnerships for ensuring water security. Her role also entails strategic leadership, project management, stakeholder engagement and technical expertise to address water challenges and promote water security in the country. 

“I’m also responsible for providing secretariat support to the South African National Committee for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), which is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the UNESCO IHP 9^th strategy,” Kgomongwe adds. 

She says her involvement with the ninth phase of the IHP covers the period 2022 to 2029, and identifies key water priority areas to support the country to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

“It represents a methodological response towards transdisciplinary to generate solutions for a water-secure world in a changing environment,” Kgomongwe explains. “I directed the alignment of IHP implementation in the country with the SDG 6 [Clean Water and Sanitation] country reporting and the National Water Resources Strategy III. I created new systems and processes to enable the water and sanitation sector to accurately report progress, ensuring South Africa continues practising inclusive, evidence-based water governance and management. I’m excited about the country initiative I’m leading, as we celebrate 50 years of UNESCO IHP – watch this space!”

The best thing about her job, Kgomongwe says, is the impact she is able to make.

“The impact cuts across class, location and intellect. I have to come to terms with the fact that governments work in months and years. The enthusiasm I put into my work is not always reflected with immediate results.”

As a woman in science, Kgomongwe says young girls and young women need to see more female science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals in order to signal to them that a career in STEM is possible. She sees herself as an advocate for science communication and believes that when scientific concepts are introduced to young girls by female scientists in a fun and relatable manner, gender stereotypes, misconceptions and mental barriers are dismantled, which may fuel their ambitions to pursue a career in science.

“Deliberate efforts need to be increased to support and fund STEM education for girls in disadvantaged areas in South Africa,” Kgomongwe says. “Breaking down barriers for women and girls accelerates development and progress in the country across the board.

She points out that in South Africa, women account for only about 23% of STEM professionals.

“While the number of women in science may be growing, the gender disparity is evident and is a result of the numerous barriers that female scientists continue to face, such as subconscious gender biases and exclusionary work environments that don’t cater to women’s needs. This is improving with personal protective wear that is designed to fit women’s bodies and women openly speaking up about their menstrual hygienic requirements when conducting fieldwork activities.”

For Kgomongwe, science is a wonderful journey of discovery that feeds her curiosity, intuition and creativity while she makes a difference in the world.

“Science caters to my innovative and problem-solving energy, and keeps me moving past the barriers of my previous challenges in life and work,” she reflects. “Had I not studied something in science, I would have studied something along the lines of international development and history. This is not far off from my core values of supporting people and the planet in ending extreme poverty and tackling climate change.”