Sakhile Richman Shabalala
TOKOZA
Summary
Highly experienced Armature Winder and Supervisor with over 20 years of experience in generator stator and rotor maintenance, rewinds, and complex international repair operations. Proven ability to lead high-stakes outage projects, manage multidisciplinary teams, and consistently deliver high-quality results in line with GE’s Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost standards.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Winder
General Electric Vernova International
Middle East And Africa
12.2023 - Current
- Lead field teams and third-party contractors, ensuring all work complies with GE engineering standards, EHS requirements, and quality expectations.
- Work as winder and execute GE stator maintenance scopes including rewinds, core restacks, blocks modification, CR dismantle/assembly, and winding repairs.
- Provide hands-on technical support during critical-path activities including brazing, connection ring work, block installations, and coil operations.
- Drove GE EHS culture by leading toolbox talks, conducting risk assessments, implementing LOTO procedures, and fostering ongoing safety engagement.
- Conduct detailed inspections of stator components to verify measurements, identify defects, and determine appropriate repair actions.
- Manage tooling, materials, and workforce allocation to support efficient outage execution.
- Drive GE EHS culture through toolbox talks, risk assessments, LOTO procedures, and ongoing safety engagement.
- Managed tooling, materials, and workforce allocation to optimize outage execution.
- Mentored third-party artisans in rewinds, core restacks, CR works, and GE field execution methodologies to enhance skills and compliance.
Supervisor
Eskom Rotek Industries
South Africa
01.2017 - 11.2023
- Lead teams of artisans' winders, Semiskilled, Store workers and contractors, ensuring accurate work assignment and workflow coordination.
- Lead teams of artisan’s winders, Semiskilled, Store workers and contractors, ensuring accurate work assignment and workflow coordination.
- Plan, allocate, and monitor daily work tasks to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality execution.
- Managed attendance and supervised contractors to achieve project milestones and meet delivery targets.
- Manage attendance and contractor supervision to meet project milestones and delivery targets.
- Provide mentorship, on-the-job training, and guidance to develop team competencies and performance.
- Ensure correct application of technical specifications, work instructions, and OEM maintenance standards throughout all project phases.
- Verify technical measurements, inspections, and reports submitted by technicians and contractors.
- Support troubleshooting, fault-finding, and problem resolution to minimize downtime and ensure equipment reliability.
Artisan (Winder)
Eskom Rotek Industries
South Africa
11.2010 - 01.2017
- Executed tasks following Supervisor's detailed instructions.
- Perform inspection on Generator Stator, Rotor, Exciter and Auxiliary to see if there are no changes that might have taken place during operation.
- Fault finding and continual monitoring.
- Conducted fault finding and continuous monitoring to identify and address issues promptly.
Apprenticeship (Armature Winder)
Eskom Rotek Industries
South Africa
01.2008 - 11.2010
- Rewinding armatures, stators, and rotors under supervision
- Removal of old windings (cutting, stripping insulation, cleaning slots)
- Manufactured coils for electrical machines according to precise specifications. and installation of various electrical machines according to specifications
- Performed insulation work on electrical machines, including slot liners and taping. (slot liners, wedges, taping, varnishing)
- Soldered and brazed connections on coils and commutators to ensure reliable electrical performance
- Balanced and assembled rotating parts to optimize operational efficiency and functionality
- Electrical testing and Fault finding of Damaged windings (e.g. continuity, resistance, insulation resistance tests, Etc.)
- Overhauled and refurbished electrical machines to restore performance and extend service life
- Recording job details and measurements.
Semi-skilled (Rotor Section)
Eskom Rotek Industries
South Africa
01.2005 - 12.2007
- Played a key role in exciter rotor refurbishment and rewedge, improving reliability and performance through accurate dismantling, inspection, and reassembly
- Contributed to exciter rotor refurbishment and rewedge, enhancing reliability and performance through precise dismantling, inspection, and reassembly
- Supported major generator overhauls, facilitating reduced downtime through efficient preparation, cleaning, and component handling
- Aided technicians during critical electrical testing (IR, HV, continuity), ensuring accurate setup and safe execution of tests
Education
Level E2 Assigned - Capacitation Projects
GE And Eskom Rotek
01-2018
National N diploma - Engineering (Electrical Engineering H/C)
Central Johannesburg College
01-2012
Armature Winder trade-test -
LH Marthinusen / Eskom Rotek
South Africa01-2010
Grade 12 -
Impolwane High School
01-2002
Skills
- Generator Maintenance Procedures
- Outage Management Techniques
- Generator knowledge
- Generator auxiliary systems
- Winder technics
- Client Relationship Management
- Core repair
- Rewind process
- Critical thinking
- Electrical tests
- Standard procedures
- Testing methodologies
- Generator systems expertise
- Quality assurance
- Winder techniques
- Technical adaptability
- Strong problem-solving under pressure
- Ability to work in demanding outage environments
- Attention to detail
- Cross-functional communication
- Stakeholder communication
- Generator training
- Hands-on training
- Practical training
Interests
Travelling, exploring new cultures, and working in international field environments, Personal development, problem-solving activities, and building technical expertise
Certification
- Stator Liquid cooled winding (GE Houston Learning Center)
- Stator conventional cooled brazing (GE Houston Learning Center)
- Capacitation Training (Eskom Rotek and GE)
Languages
English
Afrikaans
IsiZulu
Initiative and adaptability
- Self-funded my National N Diploma in Electrical and Mechanical studies relevant to my field of work, thus increasing my knowledge in technical environment.
- Successfully qualified as an Armature Winder to assist with the development of the country with scarce skills.
Team building and leadership.
- Supervise teams of winders, apprentices, and contractors, ensuring safe and efficient task execution.
- Provide on-the-job training, technical guidance, and coaching to build capability within the winding team.
- Coordinate manpower allocation, shift planning, and workflow to meet outage S-Q-D-C (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost) targets
- Review work progress daily and address issues that could impact schedule or quality
Learning & Development.
- Successfully completed Armature Winding Theory N3.
- Learn different winding types (lap winding, wave winding, Transformer winding etc.)
- Gain understanding of electrical principles and machine operation
- Handle insulation materials, varnish, and chemicals safely
- Read and interpret basic winding diagrams and technical drawings.
Awards and Recognition
GE Vernova Innovation Award – For developing a series loop removal method, Houston Learning Center, GE Manager Recognition – Awarded by Riad Abu Hashia for consistent on-time task reporting, Consistently recognized for strong safety engagement, quality of work, and teamwork., Significantly advanced technical capability in major rewind scopes, brazing processes, and field leadership—progressing effectively toward full independent supervision.
Timeline
Lead Winder
General Electric Vernova International
12.2023 - Current
Supervisor
Eskom Rotek Industries
01.2017 - 11.2023
Artisan (Winder)
Eskom Rotek Industries
11.2010 - 01.2017
Apprenticeship (Armature Winder)
Eskom Rotek Industries
01.2008 - 11.2010
Semi-skilled (Rotor Section)
Eskom Rotek Industries
01.2005 - 12.2007
National N diploma - Engineering (Electrical Engineering H/C)
Central Johannesburg College
Level E2 Assigned - Capacitation Projects
GE And Eskom Rotek
Armature Winder trade-test -
LH Marthinusen / Eskom Rotek
Grade 12 -
Impolwane High School