TSHIULUNGOMA – She dropped out of school in Std 4, but today she is the first and only woman excavator operator in the Thulamela Municipality.

This is the amazing and inspirational story of Elisa Mudau (46) who successfully proved beyond doubt that women with little education can also succeed in formerly male-dominated careers. She is now a role model to many, as she operates the Fiat 90-2 TLB.

It has always been an uneasy and winding road for the poor, brave woman who grew up in an indigent family. Born at Mulenzhe village, near Thohoyandou, Elisa said she left school because her poor late parents could not afford to pay her school fees.

With her little education, she was lucky to be employed by the Department of Local Government, under roads division, as a casual labourer in 1986.

“I used to cut grass, sweep and do heavy manual repairs along the roads. That was the only job I could do because I was not educated. I was later permanently appointed in 1993. On inception of the Thulamela Municipality, I was seconded as a general assistant and served as a team member in the patchwork and road marking division. I went for pothole repairs and road marking training conducted by Masina Training, but I still had the burning desire to achieve something extraordinary,” says the single mother of six, who now stays at Tshiulungoma village, a stone’s throw from Thohoyandou.

Elisa’s life took a new turn when she acquired her Code 10 driver’s licence in 2002. “I immediately fell in love with the excavator operation and I asked my supervisors if I could get some training to realize my dreams. I received indoor operational training from co-workers and was later tested by Barloworld/Caterpillar Company in 1994. Whenever I start working, passersby never stop staring at me in disgust because it is an unusual thing for a woman to operate such a big machine. I am also the centre of attraction whenever I drive my machine from one place to another.”

She is now engaged in the cleaning and installing of draining structures in the Thulamela Municipal area.

How does Elisa feel to be the first and only female heavy machinery operator in the Thulamela Municipality? “I wish my parents, Alidzulwi and Andries, were still alive to see my achievement. I feel proud because I have proven that there is no specific job for a certain gender. The world has changed and I call on other women to take matters upon themselves because success lies within ourselves.”

Mr Nndwamato Tshiila, Thulamela Municipality’s Communication Officer, says Elisa’s employment is part of the municipality’s gender equity and empowerment policies. “We are very proud of her and we hope she will be an inspiration to other previously disadvantaged women.”