PROFILE: My journey to Professional Registration - Siphesihle Mankahla

Project Manager Siphesihle Mankahla,a strong advocate for professional registration, emphasizes its significance in fostering personal and professional growth. In this article, she shares her own journey toward achieving professional registration, highlighting the key benefits and opportunities it offers.

Since my university days, I recognized the importance of registering as a Candidate once I secured employment. Fortunately, the late Professor JJ Van Wyk provided invaluable guidance on my career trajectory as a Project Manager, emphasizing the significance of professional registration in the field.

To this day, I firmly believe that professional registration is a crucial element of one's career, offering avenues for personal and professional growth. I strongly encourage my peers in the built environment to pursue the same path.

As a Project Manager and Chief Construction Project Manager, maintaining a high level of professionalism is paramount. This involves taking responsibility for one's involvement and providing clear direction, especially in the public sector, where oversight of critical projects with substantial economic implications for the country is crucial. Professional registration has been instrumental in my acquisition of these skills, aiding my career advancement.

Embarking on this journey presented its challenges, primarily due to the limited number of registered individuals in my workplace at the time. As a result, I sought an external mentor to guide me through the process, which entailed bi-weekly travels from Pietermaritzburg, where I was employed, to Durban for debriefing sessions with my mentor.

Despite the obstacles I encountered, I strongly encourage all hardhatPROFESSIONALS to embark on this path, and I offer the following tips to ensure its success:

1. Research Requirements: Thoroughly research the requirements for professional registration in your field, including educational qualifications, work experience, and any examinations or assessments you may need to pass.

2. Seek Guidance: Reach out to experienced professionals who are already registered in your field for valuable insights and advice on the registration process. Mentors can be invaluable resources.

3. Professional Development: Continuously invest in your education and professional development. Participate in relevant training courses, workshops, and seminars to enhance your skills and knowledge.

4. Document Experience: Keep detailed records of your work experience, including project details, responsibilities, and achievements. This documentation will be invaluable when applying for registration.

5. Prepare for Examinations: If examinations are required, study diligently and prepare thoroughly. The journey is challenging, but the rewards are significant.

6. Network: Actively engage in networking within the industry to connect with other professionals and stay updated on industry trends and developments. Networking can also provide opportunities for mentorship and guidance. Attending seminars is an excellent avenue for networking.

Above all, stay persistent and focused on your goal. The opportunities and rewards that come with professional registration are well worth the effort.

Siphesihle Mankahla is a Professional Construction Project Manager (PrCPM) who is also registered as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Programme Management Professional (PgMP).Her career in project management began at Lwandle Consultants, where she worked on high-profile projects for various clients across South Africa. She then joined the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform as a Project Manager, focusing on agricultural infrastructure projects in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

After completing her Master's degree, she was promoted to Chief Construction Project Manager at the Department of Correctional Services, where she was responsible for infrastructure enhancements in three provinces. In 2022, she joined the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Project Manager in the Strategy and Enterprise Project Management Office, where she oversaw diverse projects, including IT, HR, and organizational development initiatives. She recently transitioned to Transnet National Port Authority as a Programme Manager, eager to apply her expertise in a new dynamic environment.

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