Mentors are entrusted with the care and safety of each learner allocated to their group. Their responsibilities include walking the learners to their lecture venues, accompanying them to their outdoor activities as well as providing the support and guidance each learner may need at different intervals. In addition to that, mentors serve as a link between the learners, teachers, and the programme coordinators who require that any issue, problem, or challenge that is beyond the mentor’s control is immediately reported to them.

The first cohort of mentors joined the Talent Pipeline Programme before its launch in October 2021. They went through a deeply insightful mentorship training facilitated by the Targeting Talent Programme (TTP) staff from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the SPU TPP staff. The first group of TPP mentors set a very high standard for those that have followed. Their exceptional performance in giving the learners the necessary support and in executing their duties beyond the required level laid a good foundation for the kind of mentors’ TPP has since attracted.