Institution News

Serving with Pride and Integrity

In 2018, SAIMechE National Council decided to advertise for a General Manager position at Head Office, with the view to alleviate some of the load on our stalwart CEO, Vaughan Rimbault, who has overseen the smooth running of SAIMechE since 2008.

Uncel Mhelembe

We were looking for a dynamic young South African, preferably with a mechanical engineering background, to support the Institution in moving forward into a vibrant future. We were fortunate enough to receive an application from Uncel Mhelembe, an inspiring young engineer from humble beginnings in Tzaneen, Limpopo. Uncel was fortunate enough to meet Gerald Nkhwashu in his hometown when he was a boy. Gerald is a civil engineer, who was working in Limpopo in the early days of our democracy. As we are all aware, there were few role models for engineering in this community at this stage.

Luckily for Uncel, Gerald took him under his wing, sharing the world of engineering which sparked a passion for all things technical. Uncel took to the subject with ease but he was frustrated by any real emphasis on his main area of interest in this civil engineering environment - the engine! And so began his journey into mechanical engineering. Uncel graduated with a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from VUT in 2008 and did not stop there. It is clear that he has a passion for learning and engineering: he holds a GCC (Factories), an MBA from NWU, and is currently enrolled for his PhD in Engineering Management at UJ. He is registered as a Pr Tech Eng and Pr Cert Eng with ECSA. Uncel worked at Eskom Rotek Industries and for Wärtsilä as a mechanical engineer, GMR2(1) before starting his own consulting engineering company in 2015, Rhino Consulting Engineers. Through his company, he held GMR2(1) positions for the Greater Tzaneen municipality, and worked on various

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municipal and government projects. While working on these projects, he realised that there’s a poor understanding of the role that mechanical engineers play in our society, with many projects that should require mechanical engineering expertise being awarded to civil engineering groups.

Critical in South Africa

It is with this in mind that Uncel sees the role of SAIMechE as critical in South Africa, in order to elevate the understanding and recognition of the important place that Mechanical Engineering holds in building a vibrant, stable economy. He wisely notes that this systemic change can only be realised through education and increased exposure to engineering from a young age in our society. In Uncel’s words, “One of my objectives is to ensure that SAIMechE becomes the leading source for mechanical engineering associations in Africa. As a centenary Institution, SAIMechE should be the voice of Mechanical Engineers in both the private and public sectors.” “I am humbled to serve SAIMEchE and its members and intend to do so with pride and integrity”

Uncel Mhelemba, Debby Blaire and Vaughan Rimbault

And so, fellow members and engineers, you can see how easy it was for SAIMechE to appoint Uncel Mhelembe to the role of General Manager. Uncel, we are proud of you as a South African, as a mechanical engineer, and especially that you have chosen to join SAIMechE Head Office in this next stage of your career. Thank you and Welcome! We look forward to a bright and sustainable future with you.

SA INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Council 2018 - 2020 Office Bearers

President.......................................................Prof D Blaine (Debby) Vice President.........................................H Makwarela (Hangwani) National Treasurer..............................Prof JL van Niekerk (Wikus)

Branch Chairpersons

Central ................................................................P Motleka (Portia) Eastern Cape.............................................G van den Berg (Gideon) KwaZulu-Natal ..........................................Dr J Padayachee (Jared) Mpumalanga Highveld ...................................M Mashele (Mishael) Vaal................................................................N Swanepoel (Niekie) Western Cape ...................................................Dr G Erfort (Gareth)

Portfolios:

Procedures.............................................................SZ Hrabar (Steve) Communications and Marketing....................G Bartholomew (Bart) Professional Development Programme (PDP)................................. ......................................................................MAE Black (Malcolm) Projects and Systems Awards........................HG Bosman (Tertius) Membership .................................C Molomo-Mphephu (Cillia) Diversity and Transformation ..................R Tshitahe (Rudzani) Student and Candidate Affairs.......M Jansen van Rensburg (Marietjie)

Chief Executive Officer............................... Vaughan Rimbault National Office Co-ordinator………...........… Carey Evans PO Box 511, Bruma, 2026 Tel: (011) 615-5660 Email: info@saimeche.org.za Website: www.saimeche.org.za Membership Email: membership@saimeche.org.za

Company Affiliates

Autodesk as represented by Wordsview Technologies Babcock Nththuko Engineering Pty Ltd Eskom Rotek Industries SOC Ltd Exxaro Resources (Pty) Ltd Festo (Pty) Fluor SA (Pty) Ltd Kelvion Systemes (Pty) Hatch Africa (Pty) Ltd Howden Power (a Division of Howden Africa) Howden Projects (a Division of James Howden) MBE Minerals (SA) (Pty) Ltd Megchem Mod-U-Flow cc Osborn Engineered Products SA (Pty) Ltd Plant Design & Project Services (Pty) Ltd (PDPS) PPS Insurance Co Limited Proconics Redheads Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd S.A.M.E Water (Pty) Ltd SA Power Services (Pty) Ltd Sasol Technology (Pty) Ltd Siemens (Pty) Ltd Spirax Sarco (Pty) Ltd Tenova Mining and Minerals SA Thyssenkrupp Engineering (Pty) Ltd Vital Engineering (Pty) Ltd Weir Warman Africa Thysssenkrupp Engineering (Pty) Ltd Vital Engineering (Pty) Ltd Weir Warman Africa