Originally starting her university pursuit in mechanical engineering, she found her true calling in Quantity Surveying (QS), which was a natural progression from her school days. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Construction with Honors in Quantity Surveying from the University of Cape Town, Thashni's professional journey took her to the heart of South Africa’s mining sector. Initially, she worked in Lephalale on a project crucial for feeding coal to the Medupi power plant, an experience that helped cement her interest in mining.
Following a year of living there, Thashni moved to Johannesburg, joining a consulting firm specialising in mining. Her role primarily supported big mining clients, focusing on contractual and commercial QS to meet client needs effectively. Thashni then undertook to complete an MBA through the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Business School. Her exceptional performance led to her rapid rise to Associate Director, where she managed to gain exposure to global projects.
A significant milestone in her career was being selected as the only African representative to shadow the executive board of a multinational company as part of the Chairman’s Group. This role offered her invaluable insights into global business strategies and further honed her leadership skills.
"Being part of the Chairman’s Group allowed me to shadow company leaders and gain a global perspective that is rare and invaluable. It was an eye-opener to the complexities and the scale of decisions that drive multinational companies. Being exposed to how different markets approached the challenges faced across all sectors was incredibly insightful.”
Her promotion to Director and Head of South Africa Mining included managing a team of 40 people across Africa, with additional responsibilities in North and South America, Australia, and Europe, marked her as a key player in the field. Thashni's work at the time moved beyond typical QS duties to incorporate advisory roles that strategise on lean efficiency and optimising procedures to enhance ESG compliance.
"Lean efficiency is crucial for mining companies to align with ESG standards," Thashni explains. "My role at the organisation involved helping clients enhance systems and procedures, understanding where any inconsistencies were, and working with different regions to streamline their processes through consistent, data-driven decisions."
Thashni's vision for mining in Africa is one filled with excitement.
“There is immense growth potential to be unlocked in mining across the continent. The combination of our South African and global expertise at WSP can assist countries and economies deliver more innovations beyond the standard work environment. For me, it is not just about leadership but also fostering collaboration across different business units within WSP, and using this to meet challenges head-on and create a conducive work environment that surpasses conventional expectations to deliver benefit to our clients.”
What excites Thashni about her role at WSP is the opportunity to broaden her skill set and contribute to a team of multidisciplinary experts, creating a formidable force in the mining consultancy arena.
"The opportunity to learn more and broaden my skill set within mining at WSP is an opportunity that is incredibly exciting. Collaborating with amazing experts, we can build something truly significant," she says.
Beyond work, she unwinds by spending quality time with family, travelling, enjoying the outdoors, and as a foodie exploring new culinary experiences.
