Mr Nicolaas Zerbst

Mr Nicolaas Zerbst

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Nicolaas Zerbst is a Mechanical Engineer and is based in Stuttgart, Germany. He is working for one of the leading global companies in Filtration – Mann+Hummel. Zerbst studied Mechanical Engineering at the beginning of the 1990s at the former Port Elizabeth Technikon and an MBA at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. He was first employed in the Automotive Sector in Port Elizabeth, followed by the Managing Director and CEO of Eberspaecher Exhaust Systems South Africa. In 2014 he emigrated to Germany and became the Global Head of operations of Eberspaecher. In 2019 he joined Mann+Hummel as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Executive Board. He is responsible for all Manufacturing worldwide, including 80 countries and more than 40 manufacturing plants with around 16,000 employees. He is also responsible for all Logistics worldwide, Continuous improvement, Quality, Health, Safety, Property management and Corporate Sustainability.


Zerbst advice for current engineering students is to study hard, but be sure that you enjoy what you are doing since you will have to do this for a career. He furthermore says that he enjoys his job working with people and producing products that add value. Fluid Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Mathematics was some of his favourite modules. Lectures that made a life long impression includes Pat McGrath, Russell Phillips, Thomas Adlam, Danie Hatting, Karl du Preez and Hugh Jeffery. His future plans are to support his company's Strategic Growth Plans. 

 

Mr Moeketsi Tsosane

Mr Moeketsi Tsosane

Department of Electrical Engineering

Moeketsi Tsosane is an Electrical Engineering based in Port Elizabeth. Tsosane completed his BTech in Electrical Engineering, and work experience includes General Motors, ABB, Lab Assistant at Nelson Mandela University and is currently the Director of CMB Consulting Engineers. Tsosane is a registered Professional Technologist. His role as a director includes management of client relations, company finances and office management functions.

Tsosane’s advice for upcoming electrical engineers is that the engineering world is dynamic and changes depending on the industry. He elaborates:

  • Understanding is fundamental: Even though many students are pressured by the need to pass, no matter how the habit of learning for understanding should never be underestimated. Ask questions, seek a detailed understanding of basic engineering principles.
  • Be consistent: student life can be complicated or even eventful, being consistent with your work ethic when it comes to studying will ensure success
  • Learn to work under pressure. Even though it can appear as if engineering studies are made to be unreasonably overwhelming, working in the industry is the same or even worse. Get used to working under pressure as this will be a helpful skill.
  • Do not waste time: While it is essential to be a balanced student, never waste too much time leisure. Students have a problem thinking, “there is a tomorrow”, then you need more time to prepare for a test before you know it. Do it now!

Tsosane enjoyed Electrical Machines, Power Electronics and Power Systems while studying and indicated that Alan Roberts was his favourite lecturer. His future plans include completing his Master’s Degree, contributing to scholarly research, collaboration with Nelson Mandela University, and establishing a mentorship programme for you engineers.

Ms Nicole Schoeman

Ms Nicole Schoeman

Department of Industrial Engineering

Ms Nicole Schoeman is the owner of Gemskye Gewellery based in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). In her grade 12 year, Schoeman researched all the different branches of engineering. Her parents introduced Industrial Engineering to her, which she followed. Schoeman said that after reading up on Industrial Engineering, she immediately fell in love with the profession. She loves the idea of finding ways to improve things using creative innovations. Her advice to students studying Industrial Engineering is to put in those hours of hard work, dedication and perseverance even when things are looking difficult and unattainable. Engineering is far from easy, and the mere fact that you got accepted into the course says a lot about your capability. All the hard work will be worth it in the end. Never give up. Her favourite module was project engineering, and Dolley-Ryneveld was her favourite lecturer. Her five-year plan includes developing herself to focus on self-growth and establishing herself in her career, a professional engineer with a master’s degree.   

Mr Vusikhaya Tshiseka

Mr Vusikhaya Tshiseka

Department of Industrial Engineering, Quality and Management

Mr Vusikhaya Tshiseka worked as an operator at Shatterproof and in 2014 started studying towards a National Diploma Operations Management and graduated in 2017. In 2018 he started his BTech in Quality Management while he was acting as the production team leader. Between 2010 and 2020, he worked as Line Manager at Shatterprufe Glass Manufacturing. At the beginning of 2021, he was promoted as Production Line Manager at Sundays River Citrus Company. His current position includes managing the packhouses and personnel, formulating standard working procedure, upholding working standards, managing production cost, speed, safety and quality, appointments and enforcing business policies and standards. His advice to current students is to work hard and take full responsibilities for their studies. Attend all lecture and take notes during presentations. Lastly, keep up with current technology and industry innovations. He enjoyed Operations Management and Statistics. Andrew Murray and Kobus Joubert were some of his favourite lecturers. Tshiseka’s five-year plan is to be the Production Manager and in ten years the Quality Manager.