In the heart of South Africa’s architectural profession, a silent revolution is underway, one that challenges long-held beliefs about mentorship and its role in shaping careers. Peta de Jager, a researcher from the University of the Witwatersrand, has delved into the complexities of mentorship, revealing a landscape far more nuanced than the conventional ‘mentorship-is-good’ narrative suggests.
Mentorship, once a discretionary practice, has become a near-mandatory requirement for architects in South Africa, prescribed by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). However, the actual impact of this shift on the profession has remained largely unexplored—until now. De Jager’s study, published in *Acta Structilia* (which translates to *Structural Acts*), employs a pragmatic mixed-methods approach, integrating document reviews, survey results from 430 participants, and 46 key informant interviews to explore perceptions surrounding mentorship.
The findings are striking. Positive, neutral, and negative mechanics and sentiments about mentorship coexist, highlighting the contingent and variable effects of mentorship on career trajectories. This challenges the traditional view that mentorship is universally beneficial. “Traditional mentorship models may inadvertently perpetuate hierarchical relationships,” de Jager explains, “thereby hindering transformation efforts.”
The implications are profound, particularly for a profession grappling with retention and demographic transformation amidst historical socio-political complexities. The study suggests that mentorship, if not carefully designed, could become a tool for maintaining the status quo rather than driving meaningful change. “There’s a need for intensified scholarship to underpin mentorship approaches that are relevant, effective, and informed,” de Jager emphasizes, “addressing power dynamics and promoting equitable professional development in post-apartheid South Africa.”
For the architectural profession, this research could pave the way for mentorship to evolve from a symbolic or outdated practice into a tool for more meaningful progress. It calls for a critical engagement with the topic, especially from a global south perspective, where such research is notably lacking.
The commercial impacts for the energy sector, while not directly addressed in the study, are intriguing. As the architectural profession grapples with transformation, the energy sector—particularly in sustainable and green building practices—could benefit from a more diverse and equitable talent pool. Architects who feel supported and empowered through effective mentorship are more likely to innovate, driving forward-thinking designs that align with energy efficiency goals.
De Jager’s research serves as a wake-up call, urging the profession to rethink mentorship and its role in shaping the future of architecture. It’s a reminder that progress often requires challenging the status quo and embracing a more nuanced understanding of the tools at our disposal. As the profession moves forward, the hope is that mentorship will become a catalyst for transformation, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic architectural landscape.