Draft Agenda
Venue
The Conference will take place at the University of the Witwatersrand
Address – 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein 2000, Johannesburg
Key to Sessions
Workshops will provide real life sector training giving students an insight into the cycle of an energy project. Students can later wow recruiters with the knowledge you gain.
Recruiters’ Spotlights will showcase graduate opportunities for 2025/2026 at leading companies. Each company will present their company vision and ESG policy and share information on their initiatives. They will also talk students through their application process, sharing tips on how to be successful. Following the presentations, attendees will be invited to ask questions.
08:00-09:00 Registration & Networking
09:00 – 09:15 YES! Opening Remarks: Shiddika Mohamed. CEO, YES!
Simon Cooper, Partnerships Manager, YES!
09:15-09:30 Host Venue Welcome Remarks: Representative, University of Witwatersrand
Speaker: Prof. Geoffrey S. Simate Assistant Dean (Research & Innovation): Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
09:30-09:50 Keynote Address: Representative: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)
Speaker: Senior Representative
09:50-10:50 Workshop: Hosted by: IPP Office, South Africa
Laying the Foundations for Energy Development, Economic Growth and Youth Employment: What future development looks like and how you can get involved.
Speaker: Dzunani Makgopa, CFO & Acting Head of Economic Development, IPP Office, South Africa
10:50-11:20
11:20-12:20 Workshop: Hosted by: Eskom
Experiences from the Energy Transition
Networking Coffee
Speaker: Dr Dana Gampel, Corporate Specialist: Just Energy Transition
12:20-13:30 Networking Lunch
13:30-13:50 Recruiters Spotlight: Hosted by: Camco Fund Managers
Camco is a climate and impact fund manager leading the energy transition in emerging markets. We manage multiple investment platforms, such as REPP, REPP2 and Spark, aimed at financing innovative solutions to address climate change and deliver clean, reliable energy in African countries. We also design and manage dedicated market development facilities to support the implementation of our investment mandates and contribute towards an enabling environment for climate finance mobilisation.
This session will cover climate and renewable energy finance and the importance of ESG in renewable energy implementation
Speaker: Laura Lahti, Head of Impact and Rafik Ismael, Regional Director - Southern Africa
13:50-14:10 Recruiters Spotlight Hosted By: Nedbank
Each company will present their company vision and ESG policy and share information on their initiatives. They will also talk students through their application process, sharing tips on how to be successful. Following the presentations, attendees will be invited to ask questions.
Speaker: TBC
14:10-14:30 Recruiters Spotlight Hosted by: Pele Green Energy
Each company will present their company vision and ESG policy and share information on their initiatives. They will also talk students through their application process, sharing tips on how to be successful. Following the presentations, attendees will be invited to ask questions.
Speaker: TBC
14:30-14:50
Recruiters Spotlight Hosted by: Wartsila
Each company will present their company vision and ESG policy and share information on their initiatives. They will also talk students through their application process, sharing tips on how to be successful. Following the presentations, attendees will be invited to ask questions.
Speaker: TBC
14:50-15:20 Networking Coffee
15:20-15:40
Recruiters Spotlight: Hosted by: Bowmans
With eight offices in six African countries and over five hundred specialist lawyers, Bowmans join clients as partners, weaving together legal expertise, local market acumen, and an intuitive grasp of client business.
Through Bowmans graduate recruitment programme, Bowmans make a variety of graduate recruitment offerings at their respective offices to give graduates access to on-the-job training and mentorship; experience and exposure to various areas of law; and the ability to interact with their highly competent professionals.
During the recruiter’s spotlight Bowmans will talk through their various graduate programmes and how you can apply:
• Bowmans Bursary 2025
• Bowmans Break: Summer 2025
• Bowmans Candidate Attorney Programme 2026
• Bowmans Candidate Attorney Programme 2027
Speaker: Shalin Ledwaba, Head of Talent Acquisition
15:40-16:00
Recruiters Spotlight: Hosted by: Enertrag
Each company will present their company vision and ESG policy and share information on their initiatives. They will also talk students through their application process, sharing tips on how to be successful. Following the presentations, attendees will be invited to ask questions
Speakers: Gcina Mthembu, HR Advisor
16:00-16:10 YES! Closing Remarks: Shiddika Mohamed. CEO, YES!