- Mrs South Africa 2026 finalist Gavaza Mongwe encouraged TUT students to take ownership of their careers from the beginning.
- Drawing on her transition from mining to financial services, she highlighted the importance of embracing change and pursuing new possibilities.
- Through her Career Journal and The Lead Club, Mongwe promotes goal setting, professional growth, networking and mentorship.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not,” said Dr Seuss. This quote captures the thinking behind Gavaza Mongwe’s Career Journal, a tool she initially created for her younger self before making it available to young professionals preparing to enter the world of work.
“I wrote this for my younger self and later decided to make it available to every young professional ready to enter the workforce,” says Gavaza.
Taking ownership of a career
The Department of Industrial Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) hosted an Industry Expert and Student Engagement Workshop for final-year students registered for the Industrial Design Project module.
The workshop aimed to connect students with industry perspectives as they prepare to transition from university into the world of work. Mongwe, a Mrs South Africa 2026 finalist and advocate for self-development through education, was invited as a keynote speaker.
With the theme ‘Take the Lead, Don’t Wait for Your Career to Happen’, Mongwe challenged students to think beyond obtaining a qualification and consider how they could take ownership of their professional journeys from the very beginning.
“What makes some graduates stand out while others with the same qualifications struggle to be seen? What does it mean to take ownership of your career from the very beginning, moving beyond simply getting a job to intentionally building a career that positions you to seize opportunities, create meaningful impact and keep growing?”
Drawing from her own experience, Mongwe spoke about navigating a career transition from mining into financial services. A journey she once felt compelled to over-explain has taught her that professional paths do not always follow a straight line.
Her experience as a Mrs South Africa finalist has further strengthened this perspective, reminding her that people are allowed to evolve, explore new possibilities and pursue dreams at different stages of their lives.
“There is no expiry date on what we can pursue or become, regardless of our age or gender. Our journeys can evolve, and we should permit ourselves to grow into new possibilities.”
Encouraging young people to dream beyond their circumstances
For Mongwe, the opportunity to engage with TUT students was particularly meaningful. “Being in that room with so many ambitious young people proved to me that the future of our country is in capable hands. Our young people want to learn, they are hungry to succeed, and they want to use education to change their circumstances. I hope many left with renewed hope and the courage to dream beyond their current situations.”
The engagement reflects work Mongwe began long before stepping onto the Mrs South Africa stage. Her Career Journal, which focuses on goal setting, professional growth, networking, mentorship and taking ownership of one’s career, has since expanded into The Lead Club, a platform designed to help women articulate their ambitions and pursue them intentionally.
Through these initiatives, Mongwe continues to champion the belief that education is not only about obtaining qualifications, but also about developing the confidence, habits and skills needed to turn opportunities into meaningful progress.
As she approaches the Mrs South Africa 2026 finale, Mongwe hopes her journey will encourage others to keep pursuing their aspirations, even when their paths look different from what they originally imagined. Her message remains simple. “A dream you can articulate is a dream you can pursue.”
Mongwe is a finalist in Mrs South Africa 2026. To follow her journey, connect with her on social media and vote by sending an SMS with “Gavaza Mongwe” to 47587. The Mrs South Africa finale takes place on 13 November 2026 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.
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