Tracy's Story

As I reflect on my academic journey, I am reminded of the pivotal role that Protec played in shaping my future. My name is Tracy Nyongwana and I am proud to share my story with the community. I matriculated in 2019 from Sacred Heart Secondary School where I achieved 6 distinctions and earned a place at the University of the Witwatersrand to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry with Chemical Engineering, a five-year program that equipped me with the skill and knowledge to excel in my chosen field. My journey with PROTEC began in Grade 11 where I discovered my passion for Chemical Engineering – the organization's mentorship and guidance helped me navigate my academic choices and uncover my strengths, and a highlight of my experience was a visit to Unilever for an engineering competition, which solidified my interest in Chemical Engineering. Protec's impact extended beyond my high school years, and at Wits, I was fortunate to have Nondumiso Shandu as my mentor, who introduced me to the Sasol bursary program; with her guidance, I successfully applied for the bursary, which not only funded my studies but also led to a job offer upon graduation. Today, as a Process Engineer in Training at Sasol in Mpumalanga, I remain grateful for the foundation that Protec laid, and I attribute my achievements to the opportunities and mentorship that Protec provided, and I am honored to acknowledge their contribution to my journey, believing that I am where I am today because of Protec's unwavering support and guidance.