Junior engineer’s promising career

Gugulethu Junior Mechanical Engineer, Mondli Lukhele

Gugulethu Junior Mechanical Engineer Mondli Lukhele is seizing every opportunity available to him to establish a successful career. Born in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, Mondli attended Lindizwe Primary School and later matriculated at Prince Mnyayiza High School. “Growing up, I wanted to become a pilot, doctor or mechanical engineer. When I was in grade 12, I realised no universities offered pilot qualifications,” he explains.

Mondli enrolled for a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the Mangosuthu University of Technology and graduated in April 2023. He then secured an internship at Gugulethu’s sister mine, Zululand Anthracite Colliery, based in KwaZulu-Natal, where he began his journey to obtain his Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) in Mechanical Engineering. After being retrenched, he managed to secure funding from the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and placement at Gugulethu as a junior engineer, enabling him to proceed with his GCC.

“I’m responsible for the health and safety of the people and ensuring machines are in optimal condition for production,” Mondli says. His goal is to become an engineering manager, inspired by his mentor and Gugulethu’s engineering manager, Ernest Mandere, whose guidance has been crucial to his career development. As part of the GCC programme, he aims to explore mining sectors beyond coal. “I look forward to working with hard rocks, such as gold and platinum, to broaden my knowledge and expertise,” he remarks. With both open-cast and underground experience, Mondli prefers underground mining. “Although it can be complicated, the underground mining environment is fun and ideal for young people starting their careers because you learn so much,” he concludes.