Abstract
M. Phil.
The purpose of this study was to explore the role and experiences of the coordinators of structured mentoring schemes across various sectors of society in South Africa. A purposive sample of 25 schemes was identified and both quantitative and qualitative data was obtained through questionnaires and interviews. It was found that mentoring in South Africa, as with overseas countries, is used for a wide variety of purposes. There are varying degrees of success reported from these schemes and the predominant model of mentoring as reported in the research tends to follow the “sponsorship” approach to mentoring, which may not be the most appropriate for transformation in South Africa. Coordinators often find their roles lonely and frustrating, partly because the role is combined with other roles which take priority. Coordinators tend to initiate their own role and derive mainly altruistic role satisfaction. This initiation of the role can lead to organizational isolation and lack of management support for the mentoring scheme. Recommendations for development and support of coordinators are made.