Vuyolwethu’s journey from humble beginnings to directorship at RLB epitomises the triumph of perseverance and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Born in rural Middledrift in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Vuyolwethu was raised in a conservative, spiritually grounded family which shaped her values.
Her desire to set herself apart from her peers, who wanted to study medicine or law, coupled with a demand for skilled professionals in the quantity surveying field, was the driving force behind her pursuit of a Quantity Surveying degree through Pretoria Technikon.
Navigating the challenges of securing internships and overcoming setbacks due to institutional accreditation issues, she persevered. Her determination led to landing an internship with NMQS, a black female-owned firm – one of very few at the time, before transitioning to a construction company as their in-house QS.
In 2014, Vuyolwethu joined RLB, marking a turning point in her career trajectory. Her dedication and competence quickly caught the attention of her colleagues. This led to her appointment as a director in 2018, at the age of 33 – two years ahead of her goal.
Vuyolwethu was selected to attend the RLB Global Experience Exchange Programme (GEEP) in England in 2018. This exchange covered business best practices across the UK and South Africa. “My GEEP experience in the UK was invaluable. It inspired me to want to do more and to think more innovatively about our business in South Africa. A benefit of GEEP is the opportunity to compare our own management systems and processes to other locations.”
Beyond professional achievements and pursuits, Vuyolwethu’s dedication extends to community upliftment. Initiating a mental wellness project in 2018 to address youth challenges in her hometown.
Moreover, Vuyolwethu served for five years on the executive committee of the Women’s Property Network (WPN), heading up the Youth and Student Development portfolio. This provided previously disadvantaged female students studying towards a property-related degree with bursaries, growth, and promotion.
I volunteered for this role because I wanted to make a difference and contribute to the growth and promotion of early female participation in the Construction and Quantity Surveying industry.
Since 2016, Vuyolwethu has been a member of The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS), and in the spirit of giving back to the industry, briefly served on the ASAQS Gauteng Chapter.
As a director and shareholder at RLB, Vuyolwethu aspires to play an active role in both the company and country’s transformation journey.
Through strategic leadership, professionalism, and a passion for empowering others to transcend boundaries, she aspires to leave a lasting impact on both the Built Environment and society at large.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
