WESSA Groen Sebenza Handbook 2021

Mentor-Mentee Relationship

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” ~John Crosby

Each of you will have an assigned Mentor throughout your Groen Sebenza Journey. Mentoring is a key component of the skills programme. Mentoring is often described as a professional relationship in which an experienced person assists a less experienced person in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance their professional and personal development.

The mentoring relationship is built on mutual trust, respect and communication, and involves both parties meeting regularly to exchange ideas, discuss progress and set goals for further development.

A mentor does not need to know, or to provide all the answers; instead the mentor encourages the mentee to use their available resources to identify solutions. Research shows mentoring can have a positive influence on mentees, mentors and organisations in areas of professional development, productivity, promotion and retention.

Therefore, mentoring is a relationship over a prolonged period between two or more people where the mentor provides constant, as needed support, guidance and concrete help to the participant as they travel through life.

Mentoring can expose youth to new information which may help them make better decisions about their current or future lives.

Mentoring is about believing in the unlimited potential of each youth served.

Mentoring is about time and patience.

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