Engineering runs in the blood. Ipeleng Hlakoane (middle) graduates Cum Laude with a degree in Quantity Surveying. She is flanked by her proud parents- Dr William (father) and Ms Disebo Hlakoane (mother).

Ipeleng Tshegofatso Hlakoane has made her mark at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Construction in Quantity Surveying, a milestone that carries deep personal significance. Her achievement resonates beyond academics, connecting to a proud family legacy at the university.

Just last year, in 2025, the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (FEBIT) honoured her father, Dr William Hlakoane, with an Honorary Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering (honoris causa). A respected mechanical engineer and Denel Group Executive Landward, Dr Hlakoane has long been an inspiration to his daughter.

For Ipeleng, this moment feels like a full circle journey. “Watching my father be honoured was incredibly inspiring, and now reaching my own milestone feels like I am continuing something meaningful. This is a proud and emotional moment for both of us,” she says.

Her path to success was not straightforward. Initially enrolling in Mechanical Engineering, Ipeleng realised her true passion lay elsewhere. “A big part of my choice to study Mechanical Engineering was influenced by my father. But I have always been drawn to fields like Quantity Surveying and Geology. When I eventually discovered Quantity Surveying, I genuinely fell in love with it. It was not planned, but it felt right,” she explains.

Breaking barriers in a field long dominated by men, Ipeleng not only achieved academic excellence but also demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. Her story serves as an inspiration for young women pursuing careers in traditionally male dominated spaces. “I have always been drawn to challenging paths, not to prove a point, but because I know I am capable. If you are interested in a field, go for it. You belong there just as much as anyone else,” she encourages.

Ipeleng believes change is happening as women quietly reshape industries and break barriers through everyday excellence. “Every woman who steps into these spaces and excels is making it easier for the next one,” she says.

For the Hlakoane family, CUT is more than a university, it is a home of shared achievements and lasting legacies. Today, father and daughter are both proud CUT alumni, exemplifying excellence across generations and inspiring others to follow their passions fearlessly.