Top of the class

MAYUREN Govender believes he was destined to become an engineer.

The 26-year-old, of Wyebank, recently graduated summa cum laude with an MSc engineering degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

“After I matriculated with 5As from Wyebank Secondary, I was accepted to study at UKZN. The first year of varsity took me by surprise but I soon adapted. I graduated with four merits.”

He said in his final year as an undergraduate, his lecturer inspired him to conduct research on e-waste in a South African context.

“E-waste is basically old electronic devices that are stored, thrown away and not being reused. By analysing the university’s current electronic waste management strategy, and by exposing shortcomings and deficiencies experienced, my study has produced valuable information.

“It will serve as a guide for better e-waste management practices. For instance, I found that the majority of the university’s e-waste is stored and not used. The rest has been disposed of in landfills.”

Govender said his crowning achievement was during his post graduate studies, where he graduated top of his class with four merits and summa cum laude.

He is a design engineer at Fountain Green Energy.

“It is one of the leading engineering, procurement and construction management companies in the renewable energy sector in South Africa. We are currently working on the first landfill gas-to-energy plant in the Western Cape.”

Govender wants to pursue a PhD. “I want to focus on the e-waste footprint that results from rapid urban digitalisation.”

Govender said he could not have done all this without the support of his family, especially his mother.

“I am the first in my family to graduate with a degree. A lot of people have put their faith in me, and invested their time and money. I am glad I could make them proud. The engineering field is difficult and tricky, but it is the most fulfilling career in the world, as you get to see your ideas come to life,” he said.