Jennifer Mnisi is a 24-year-old who was born in Daveyton, Johannesburg. She matriculated in Hulwazi Secondary school in 2004 where she managed to receive a distinction in Xitsonga. She holds a National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. From a family where education is a priority, she continued with her studies and graduated this May at the Tshwane University of Technology obtaining her Btech in Pharmaceutical Science. She is TYM’s September Girl Next Door, she talks to Fanisile Nkuna. Where do you work and what do you do there? I intern for Bayer (Pty) Ltd as a pharmaceutical scientist in Isando. What do you love most about your work? Getting to communicate with people from overseas and different places in Africa. You learn a lot as you go from different people. What challenge do you face in your work? The science world is dominated by males, as a female scientist I have to work twice as hard to prove that I am also capable. What are your current obstacles? Moving out of my parents’ home, they do not want me to move out. To them I am and forever will be their “little Jen”. During my stay in Cape Town from 2006 to 2010 they would always call to check who am I with, if I ate and what I’m doing. It was even a challenge alone for them to agree when I said I want to further my studies in another province, a lot of convincing had to be done. Another issue is dating, they can’t accept that at some stage I would have to introduce my future husband to them and on this issue I believe I’m not the only one.
young people family has to be that significant and something you cherish. You know what they say when days are dark friends are few.
What do you do to relax? Go out with friends, watch TV, read books and play chess.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years? I see myself as a successful Regulatory Scientist.
What is your favourite movie and why? Pursuit of Happiness because of the main actor featured there being Will Smith, any movie that he is included in I love.
Favourite quote you live by? “Do not wake up in the morning with the broken pieces of yesterday” Unknown. I treat each day like it’s a new chapter of my life. Taking each step carefully a day, hoping to reach to the peak of that mountain where I can proudly say I’m content.
Who do you look up to? I look up to everybody in my family, they all put in equal effort in encouraging me in every aspect of my life. Whatever decision I make and take I consult with them. If they say no it becomes hard for me to go ahead as planned. I believe as 8