
uYilo staff, Gavin Constance, Natasha de Andrade, Dr Xandri van Niekerk, and Professor Ernst Ferg, with interns (from left) Chulumanco Mali, Chuma Qum, Anele Nzimeni, and Masibulele Tshisa.

Anele Nzimeni is a Materials Characterisation intern at the uYilo e-Mobility Programme.
An exciting opportunity awaits with the uYilo e-Mobility Programme which offers year-long internships for energy storage graduates. The Energy Storage Internship Programme was initiated in 2021 by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) through the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).
uYilo has a number of energy-related activities and projects at its Gqeberha facility that also provide learning and practical experience in several energy storage fields, accelerating local expertise in the ongoing transition to renewable energy, and the related industries to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“The DSI has funded this internship as part of the drive to cross the divide between academic education and practical experience,” says Dr Xandri van Niekerk – Group Specialist: Materials at uYilo. “The goal with this internship programme is to accelerate the acquisition of real-world skills and the range of facilities and skills offered by uYilo provide an excellent match for achieving this outcome.”
Since being established in 2013, uYilo has provided internship opportunities for 45 interns, five of these in 2022, as part of this initiative which was focused on Materials Characterisation and Battery Testing.
An internship with uYilo provides recently graduated professionals the opportunity to fast-track their practical education in their specific field of study, rapidly improving their practical experience while working under the direction and supervision of experts in those fields.

uYilo interns Masamkele Mdondolo and Chulumanco Mali have spent 2022 increasing their knowledge while gaining experience at the uYilo e-Mobility Programme.
“Working in the energy storage laboratory has been great as I have picked up useful analytical skills that I could use in so many other industries,” says Chulumanco Mali, a 2022 intern. Masibulele Tshisa feels that “… this programme has been a stepping stone in my career as I have gained critical skills and knowledge in energy storage systems”.
The uYilo Battery Laboratory and Materials Characterisation services means that interns are working on practical activities and projects. Their work is closely monitored for quality and accuracy, by senior staff. The internship for 2023 is specifically focused on the Energy Storage sector skills offered by uYilo to increase local competence in this fast-growing field.
“The energy industry is an international growth sector and South Africa must keep up,” says Prof Ernst Ferg – Associate Professor in Physical Chemistry at Nelson Mandela University. “Changes in energy technology, environmental considerations and the continuing increase in demand for power means that our country will see growing need for skills in new energy technologies.”
Information on the internship opportunities at uYilo can be obtained by mailing uYilotesting@mandela.ac.za.