Finding Your Feet with the ECST Mentorship Programme

Jefferson Quipit on November 2nd, 2026

You can spend an afternoon working through a calculation and still feel unsure about when to ask for help. Starting an engineering degree brings questions about how to study, how to manage competing deadlines and where all this learning might eventually lead. 

A Place to Ask the Questions 

The programme is designed to support students as they adjust to engineering studies and begin developing a professional outlook. Its guide puts listening, constructive feedback and student independence at the centre of the relationship. 

There is also space to discuss professional communication and workplace expectations. Asking for guidance early, explaining a problem clearly and responding to feedback are habits students can begin practising while they are still studying. 

Experience Students Can Learn From

The mentors bring experience of delivering infrastructure, leading industrial projects and running engineering businesses. Their backgrounds give students several ways to explore what working in engineering can involve. 

Lindiwe Mqweba is a project management specialist and civil technologist with more than 12 years of experience across mining, municipal and healthcare infrastructure projects. Her work has included water pipelines, stormwater systems, hospital refurbishments and mining infrastructure upgrades, as well as leading multidisciplinary teams. 

She holds a postgraduate diploma in project management and is pursuing master’s studies in civil and structural engineering. Her interest in mentoring emerging professionals includes helping them develop technical capability and apply sustainable engineering practices in project delivery. 

Benjamin Nkosi, also known as Benji, is Head of Engineering and Chief Operating Officer at FAM Minerals and Mining. He has 14 years of industry experience and specialises in bulk materials handling, the movement of large quantities of materials through industrial operations. 

He is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineering Technologist. His background offers a starting point for discussions about how technical responsibilities develop into engineering leadership. 

Rendani Nengwenani is an engineering and project management professional with a background in chemical engineering. His experience spans petrochemicals, mining, energy, infrastructure and renewable energy, including delivering capital projects and leading multidisciplinary teams. 

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Henley Business School, University of Reading. As a mentor, he encourages young engineers to develop technical judgement, confidence and communication skills, drawing connections between academic learning and industry practice. 

His mentorship philosophy is clear: “Engineering is not only about solving technical problems; it is about creating value, inspiring people and developing solutions that make a lasting difference.” 

Tafadzwa Calvin Wurayayi brings more than 12 years of experience in civil engineering and construction. Born in Zimbabwe and based in South Africa, he has worked across roads, buildings, water and wastewater infrastructure, and telecommunications. 

He is the founder and managing director of Forecast Engineering in South Africa and founder and director of Progrenov Engineering in Harare, Zimbabwe. He holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Zimbabwe and an MBA from IIE MSA, where his research examined the challenges of growing construction start-ups in Gauteng. 

For students curious about setting up a business, his experience provides a way to explore the commercial responsibilities that can accompany engineering work, including contracts and business development. 

Pius Mujaku is a mechanical engineer with experience in operations, maintenance and project engineering across thermal power plants, steel manufacturing and the oil and gas industry. 

He holds a Government Certificate of Competency (Factories), a Master of Engineering (Professional) from Wits University and an honours degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Zimbabwe. He also holds certifications in project management and risk management. 

His background offers students practical insight into maintaining industrial systems and delivering engineering projects. His interest in professional growth and taking calculated risks also provides a starting point for conversations about career decisions and taking on new responsibilities. 

Dr Andries van der Linde is a South African energy specialist, researcher and engineer whose work spans wind power, green hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure. His background covers electrical and mechanical engineering, and he holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. 

A co-founder of Harvard Green Energy, he has worked as a researcher, consultant and advisor with government departments, municipalities and international organisations, including the World Bank. His projects have also explored applications of hydrogen in electric mining vehicles. 

For students interested in energy, his experience offers a starting point for discussing how research develops into an engineering project. It also brings the electrical and mechanical aspects of energy systems into the same conversation, helping students explore where their own interests might lead. 

Regular Conversations and Practical Next Steps

Monthly themes give the discussions a focus, including study habits, assessment preparation, professional communication and engineering career awareness. The schedule also allows for academic breaks. 

Each conversation follows a simple pattern: check how things are going, review progress, discuss the theme and agree on practical next steps. Students and mentors establish a suitable way to communicate and reasonable response times. 

Mentors can also help students find the right ECST support when a concern needs academic or specialist attention. The relationship works alongside the college’s teaching and student services, with students encouraged to take responsibility for their decisions. 

Taking the Next Step

For students considering ECST’s Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Mechanical Engineering, mentorship offers another aspect of college life to ask about. The degree covers technical subjects alongside project planning and management, while mentoring gives students a place to discuss the habits and professional expectations they are learning to navigate. 

Mentorship is built into ECST’s Bachelor of Engineering Technology programmes, giving enrolled degree students access to guidance from experienced engineering professionals as part of their studies. These conversations provide space to discuss study habits, career interests and workplace expectations alongside their technical learning. 

If you would value regular guidance while studying engineering, speak to the ECST team about the Mentorship Programme and how to apply. Bring a question you would like to work through with a mentor. It is a useful place to begin. with a mentor. It is a useful place to begin.