15 July 2026 - 15 July, 2026
July 15 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Event Start Time (South Africa):
The live presentation of this event has already taken place.
Please view the PDF slides here or watch the video recording below:
Webinar details
This webinar relates to our Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical Engineering programme.
This session focuses on the role of engineering within South Africa, showcasing how engineers contribute to solving pressing challenges in infrastructure, energy, water, and community development. It connects engineering to real-world impact within the local context.
- The webinar will be recorded and will be sent out to registered attendees afterwards.
- A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees who request one near the end of the live webinar session.
Key takeaways from this webinar
- Engineers are critical in addressing South Africa’s infrastructure and energy challenges.
- Engineering solutions directly impact communities and economic development.
- Local challenges present unique opportunities for innovation and problem-solving.
Presenters
Samkelo Nene – Lecturer
Samkelo Nene is a Candidate Engineering Technologist registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and holds a BEng Tech (Honours) in Electrical Power Engineering. In recognition of his academic excellence and leadership, he was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society, a distinction awarded to the top-performing students worldwide. His academic foundation spans power systems, rotating machines, transformers and switchgear, power electronics, and energy policy.
He has served at the Durban University of Technology as a formal undergraduate tutor and lab facilitator, integrating practical experiments with theoretical learning to support diverse student needs. His teaching philosophy emphasizes adaptability, mentorship, and authentic engagement, ensuring that students not only grasp complex concepts but also connect them to real-world applications.
Beyond academia, during his previous contract with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), Samkelo has contributed to South Africa’s G20 Presidency through Energy Transitions Working Group, supporting policy dialogues and collaborative frameworks for sustainable energy as an energy technical support and workshops coordinator. His involvement strengthened his perspective on the intersection of engineering, policy, and international cooperation, reinforcing his commitment to advancing energy transitions locally and globally.
Eldridge Mapfumo – Head of Academics
Eldridge Mapfumo is an accomplished academic leader and engineering professional with over a decade of experience across higher education, engineering consulting, and project leadership. He brings a strong track record in driving academic excellence and institutional performance. He possesses deep expertise in academic programme development, curriculum design, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance within the South African higher education framework.
He has led academic teams, supervised students, coordinated national examinations, and developed high-quality learning materials that enhance student success and graduate employability. In senior academic and leadership roles, he has contributed to strategic planning, academic operations management, staff development, and stakeholder engagement with regulatory and industry bodies.
Complementing his academic leadership, he has extensive engineering industry experience, having led multidisciplinary teams of up to 37 professionals and delivered complex projects valued between R500,000 and R50 million across the energy, infrastructure, and consulting sectors.
He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Russia), a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (cum laude), and is completing a PhD in Industrial Engineering. He has also been invited to contribute to the Russia–Africa Advisory Panel, supporting strategic collaboration between governments.