Sivashnie Perumal grew up in Chatsworth, Durban and attended Savannah Park Secondary where she was not only Head Girl but the school’s top student. Her father - a self-employed mechanic - and her mother worked hard to get their three children educated; and they worked just as hard instilling in them a keen sense of making their education count.

Sivashnie was invited by Engen to attend the progressive Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) Programme at Howard College in Grade 10 & 11 but due to family transport constraints, she could only take up a place in Grade 12.

Sivashnie was a gifted science student but found herself drawn increasingly towards the business environment. Her performance on the EMSS Programme lead to an invitation by Engen to apply for a University Bursary and consequent opportunity to attend The University of KwaZulu Natal (Westville), where she studied for her B.Com degree.

“I’ve always known that this is a man’s world,” she says: “and that I would need to work twice as hard to conquer it.”

Having graduated at the end of 2016, she joined Engen’s Graduate Development Programme, working at Engen’s Eastern Region Offices in Westville, Durban. She works in Supply Chain and Market Development in the Commercial Fuels Department. Sivashnie is thoroughly enjoying her introduction to the business world and gaining valuable experience within a learning environment which has taken her by surprise.

“The company is highly supportive of women, and in fact seems to be doing everything it can to support and promote us, but this won’t mean that I’ll treat myself lightly.” Sivashnie has reason to be proud of many accomplishments, but completing her degree was a milestone that gave her the most satisfaction.

It was also the stepping stone she needed towards realising her own personal dream. “I come from an environment that is diverse and often economically challenged. One day I’d like to repay the faith that many people have had in me, by starting an Engen Maths and Science programme for deserving girls within my old school, Savannah Park Secondary.”

By continuing to grow the minds and talents of the future, and to shape the careers of young gifted South Africans, Engen is committed to building future leaders.

From her Engen office Sivashnie Perumal has her eyes fixed upon becoming just such an individual, and expects to be able to repay the opportunity she has received by offering it to others.