EngineerConnect Johannesburg: Engineering Skills You Can Use Tomorrow

A Panel Discussion on Practical Solutions for Energy, Automation & Infrastructure.

Engineering in South Africa is evolving fast. From energy challenges and automation breakthroughs to infrastructure pressures, engineers at every stage need practical skills they can apply immediately.

Join us at EngineerConnect Johannesburg, where industry experts will share actionable insights and hands-on strategies that electrical, mechanical, automation, and civil engineers, as well as students and school leavers can start using right away.

This fast-paced panel discussion is designed not only for professional engineers, apprentices, technicians and technologists but also for matriculants, school leavers and parents exploring future engineering careers. You’ll hear about solutions that make an immediate impact, from improving power system resilience and optimising mechanical processes to integrating automation and strengthening infrastructure reliability.

If you’re looking for real-world tools, frameworks and techniques you can implement the very next day or want a clear picture of the skills shaping South Africa’s engineering future, this is the event for you.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, 6 February 2026
• Time: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM SAST
• Location: Midrand Conference Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Cost: FREE

Please RSVP by Tuesday, 27 January 2026. Places are limited.

What to Expect:

• Practical engineering and technical skills applicable immediately, suitable for students, school leavers, apprentices, artisans, technicians, technologists, and engineers.
• Insights on energy resilience, automation, digital tools, AI, and infrastructure reliability.
• Cross-disciplinary strategies relevant to power, water, mining, manufacturing, construction, and transport sectors.
• Networking opportunities with industry professionals, peers, and future engineers.
• Digital Certificate of Attendance for all participants.

Meet the Moderator:

Leading the panel discussion is Benjamin Nkosi, Head of Engineering – Bulk Materials Handling at FAM Minerals & Mining | Engineering Institute of Technology MEng Candidate

Benjamin Nkosi is a Mechanical Engineering Technologist with deep experience across bulk materials handling, industrial projects and mechanical systems design. As Head of Engineering at FAM Minerals & Mining, he leads engineering delivery for large-scale materials handling operations, bringing strong expertise in project execution, construction management, and system refurbishment.

Skilled in AutoCAD Mechanical, Inventor, SolidWorks, and analytical engineering methods, Benjamin combines practical field experience with advanced technical capability. He is completing his Master of Engineering (Mechanical) with EIT, further strengthening his leadership in delivering reliable, high-quality engineering outcomes.

Meet the Panelists:

Marchand du Preez, Senior Mechanical Engineer at National Petroleum Refiners of SA (Pty) Ltd (NATREF) | Engineering Institute of Technology Graduate

Marchand du Preez is a Mechanical Engineer specializing in pressure equipment, storage tanks, and piping system design and analysis. With expertise in stress analysis, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and computational simulation, he applies tools such as Caesar II, PV Elite, ANSYS, and SolidWorks to deliver safe, compliant, and high-performance engineering solutions.

A graduate of the Engineering Institute of Technology, Marchand plans to commence an Master of Engineering (Mechanical) with EIT early 2026, and has completed multiple EIT Graduate Certificates, combining technical rigor with practical project execution to optimize plant reliability and performance.

Completed courses with EIT: Graduate Certificate in CAD and Computational Techniques, Graduate Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

Andreas Beutel, Electrical Engineering Researcher, Investigator & Manager

Andreas Beutel is an electrical engineer specializing in reliability, safety, and system performance across distribution networks. With extensive experience in research, field investigations, simulations, and laboratory testing, he has contributed to developing technologies, standards, and investigative methodologies that address complex electrical infrastructure failures and their broader public and environmental impacts.

He has authored more than 30 technical papers and has played key roles in national and international technical committees, including CIGRE and CIRED. Known for his ability to bridge engineering insight with stakeholder decision-making, Andreas brings strong leadership in technical governance, incident analysis, and the practical application of advanced research to improve grid safety and resilience.

Yvonne Lekalakala, Analyst – Global Air Contracts, FCM Travel | Deputy Chairperson, Australian Business Chamber of Southern Africa

Yvonne is an Electrical Engineering graduate from the University of Cape Town with a career spanning power systems engineering, multinational business development, and airline contracting. She currently focuses on airline contract analytics, helping organizations make data-driven decisions on travel program spend and strategy.

As Deputy Chairperson of the Australian Business Chamber of Southern Africa, Yvonne works with Australian businesses, Austrade, and the Australian High Commission to strengthen trade and investment ties between Australia and the Southern Africa region. Passionate about turning complexity into clarity, she combines technical insight with strategic thinking and a people-first approach to create value across industries.

EIT Representative, Berry Dikotla, Recruitment and Business Development Manager (Africa & Middle East)

With over 10 years of experience in educational recruitment, Berry joined EIT in 2021 as a Course Advisor. Currently, he serves as a Recruitment and Business Development manager for Africa and the Middle East, where he is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their full potential. His passion for empowerment has led him to travel extensively, which includes visits to Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, and Australia

Representing Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA):

Ms Thembeka Madlala (MBA, Elec Eng Pr Techni Eng) is a registered Engineering Council professional and a distinguished Non-Executive Director, Global JET Ambassador, and internationally recognised speaker, with an exceptional career spanning over 22 years across the electricity and energy sectors, telecommunications, and private sector retirement funds. Currently serving as a Project Manager within the Internal Audit Strategic Support Services in the Office of the Group Chief Executive at Eskom, Ms. Madlala consistently demonstrates her strategic insight and leadership in driving sustainable, high-impact initiatives that shape the future of the energy sector.

Ms. Madlala has brought her expertise and vision to numerous governance roles, including serving as a Non-Executive Member of the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund (EPPF), South Africa’s second-largest pension fund, and as an Audit Committee member for eThekwini Municipality, the largest metropolitan municipality in South Africa. Her leadership extends far beyond business, as she is deeply committed to creating social change, focusing on advancing the roles of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and advocating for mental health within both professional and domestic contexts. Furthermore, Ms. Madlala actively supports organisations such as Children of Fire, a Johannesburg-based initiative that aids children impacted by illegal electrical connections and neglect.

With an MBA and advanced qualifications in Project Management, Electrical Engineering, Quality Management, and Energy Leadership, Ms. Madlala is a registered professional with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and the Institute of Directors in South Africa.

Her leadership is grounded in the principles of good governance, ethical leadership, and integrity values she champions both within her professional domain and as a global advocate. Ms. Madlala recognises the transformative power of these principles in fostering sustainable, innovative business practices and is a passionate and powerful voice for change. She inspires global audiences to embrace ethical, future-focused leadership that makes a meaningful impact on the world.

This event is proudly sponsored by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as well as the Australian Business Chamber of Commerce (South Africa).

Who are EIT and ECST?

The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) and the Engineering College of Science and Technology (ECST) are sister colleges delivering practical, industry-focused engineering education across Australia, South Africa and globally.

• EIT provides professional development courses, internationally accredited diplomas and advanced diplomas, bachelor and master degrees, and the professional Doctor of Engineering. Learning is live, interactive, and supported by remote and virtual labs, with students in more than 160 countries.
• ECST, based in Midrand, South Africa, offers blended on-campus learning through its Bachelor of Engineering Technology programs, beginning with Electrical Engineering.

Together, EIT and ECST are committed to delivering practical, industry-ready engineering education to students, professionals and early-career engineers worldwide.

If you have any questions, please contact Pippa Dold: pippa.dold@eit.edu.au

We look forward to seeing you there.

Register now to secure your spot!