Discover Julian's story

I am a lead project engineer at JUWI, powering the renewable energy revolution in South Africa. I chose to study engineering at Stellenbosch University because I wanted to create tangible things that make a difference in people's lives. As the chairperson of the international network Engineers Without Borders (EWB) at the Stellenbosch Chapter, I saw firsthand how engineering could uplift communities. As part of the network, I founded and led the “Solar Gen Project”, which was my first venture into renewable energy. After being confronted by the challenges students in low income areas face, we created a programme at the local high school to help students build their own portable solar generators. The project not only provided them with a self-generating power source for studying at night but also showed them the potential of practical engineering. Soon after I graduated I started working on industrial scale energy projects. After getting my hands dirty in the field for a while, I went back to school for my Masters in Smart Grid Technology, ready to dive deeper into renewable and sustainable energy. 

Renewable energy is still fresh in South Africa, and there's plenty of room to make your mark. In my experience having a good mentor can really change your career. My past lead engineer and mentor Holiday Kadada taught me to trust my instincts, tackle issues head-on, and think creatively. Apart from finding a good mentor I’ed encourage junior engineers to show initiative, be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will be introduced to many new terms and concepts in meetings. Write them down, research them later, and try to connect the puzzle. Finally, it’s critical to get your head out of the numbers sometimes and work on your interpersonal skills. Engineering is 100% a team sport so communication and your ability to work well with others can make or break a project.

JUWI is a leading renewable energy company. We boast a wealth of experience and expertise to solve complex problems and build world-class projects. With such an amazing force, collaboration at JUWI is key. Engineering is a team sport – it is multidisciplinary and involves many stakeholders to come together. JUWI fosters a sea of great people worldwide and encourages collaboration within one’s local team and globally as well. Whenever you need help or advice, you can count on the talented people and JUWI to come together.