(University of the Free State, 2010) Schulze, Salomé
English: The article reports the views of mentors forming part of a structured mentoring
programme to develop novice researchers in one college at the University of South
Africa. The study was conceptualised according to the constructivist learning
theory and the self-efficacy theory. The survey determined the views of 36 mentors
by means of a questionnaire. It was found that the majority of the mentors are
dedicated to the project. A number of challenges were identified, including a lack of
quality time for the project, inadequate institutional support and a lack of training
in certain issues, including the influence of mentoring style, how to negotiate rules
and give feedback, how to deal with gender and cultural differences, and how to
address negative mentee emotions.