Dorothy Mofomme, through her company Valotech228, is impacting South Africa’s railway infrastructure and building pathways for the next generation of female engineers to rise.
She was just nine when life pushed her into survival mode, where she stepped in to care for her siblings and herself. In those early days of juggling responsibilities, the seeds of self-reliance, grit, and vision were quietly sown.
When she reached Mangosuthu University of Technology in 2000, Mofomme was no stranger to hard work. She funded her education by hustling with a camera, photographing events, and burning music onto CDs. While at university, she was elected as a class representative twice, which helped sharpen her leadership skills.
After earning a diploma in electrical engineering, she dove into the workforce. Her roles at state-owned enterprises, private engineering firms, and complex rail projects across the continent contributed to her growing arsenal of experience, but something was missing.
She wanted more than a paycheck or promotion, so she decided to build something of her own, hence founding Valotech228.
The Birth of Valotech228
In 2011, Mofomme’s vision came to life with the founding of Valotech228, a 100% Black woman-owned South African engineering and technology company focused on the railway sector.
The company delivers various services, including railway signalling design, installation, and maintenance, electrical and mechanical engineering solutions, telecommunication and IT systems, and automation and integration services.
From the start, Valotech228 boldly declared that women belonged in engineering and could lead excellently. With Mofomme at the helm of operations, the company quickly built a reputation for quality, precision, and delivery. Projects are managed with clockwork efficiency and technical rigour, earning the business an ISO 10006 certification, a mark of serious quality management.
Impact beyond infrastructure
Valotech228 works with universities and TVET colleges to offer training, mentorship, and job opportunities, especially for young women engineers entering the field.
In 2018, Dorothy Mofomme’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Nalydia Foods, which produces preservative-free baby food. Her leadership inspires women entrepreneurs entering traditionally male-dominated industries like railways and engineering.
