Sandiswa Mbewu
Chemical Technologist,Chemical Analyst,Laboratory Technician
Cape Town
Summary
As scientific professional, prepared to bring valuable experience in chemical analysis and laboratory operations. Known for reliability and teamwork, consistently achieving project goals in dynamic environments. Competent in handling complex equipment and adapting to new methodologies, with focus on precision and collaboration.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Chemical Technologist
iThemba Labs
Cape Town
01.2025 - Current
- Perform measurement and analysis of radioactive materials to ensure accuracy, traceability, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Operate and maintain analytical and radiation-related instruments, supporting reliable measurement systems.
- Conduct instrument calibration and verification to ensure alignment with quality and international standards.
- Apply radiation safety protocols in the handling, storage, and control of radioactive materials.
- Ensure safe storage and handling of samples, maintaining full traceability and compliance.
- Develop, review, and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and working instructions.
- Support quality assurance (QA/QC) processes, including method validation and performance checks.
- Analyze results and compile technical reports for compliance and operational decision-making.
- Maintain SHEQ compliance in all laboratory and technical activities.
- Support equipment performance monitoring, maintenance, and defect reporting.
- Participate in regulated nuclear environment activities, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures.
- Provide scientific and technical services necessary to assess the adequacy and effective of hazard assessments and other safety submissions from nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
- Development and utilization of tools including computer codes and calculation methodologies during review and assessment work.
- Identify sources of technical information related to specific disciplines and relevant work to the
- To review international standards, and advise management of relevance to the
- Evaluate changes in terms of codes and standards and make decision based on facts to ensure nuclear safety.
- Conduct research and standards and make decision based on facts to ensure nuclear
- Implemented waste reduction strategies, resulting in decreased environmental impact and cost savings for the company.
- Developed new chemical formulations for enhanced product performance and reduced manufacturing costs.
- Reviewed and updated standard operating procedures regularly, ensuring consistent adherence across all laboratory personnel.
Laboratory Technician
RENERGEN (TETRA 4)
12.2022 - 01.2025
- Assist in Installing and Commissioning of GC instrumentation and setting up the laboratory.
- Assist in establishing laboratory procedures for sampling and analysis of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Helium (LHe) and feed gas.
- Capture, handle data and report all accurate data.
- Ensured best equipment function performance and operational integrity. Qualify, quantify and analyze liquified natural gas, Liquifies Helium (LHe) using GC/FID/TCD &PDHID.
- Ensured best equipment function performance and operational integrity. Qualify, quantify, and analyze natural gas, Liquified Natural Gas. Liquified Helium gas using GC, Cryogenic products, Dew point analyzers, Oxygen and CO2 analyzers using GC methods. Quality control, and sampling cryogenic gas samples.
- Follow ISO/IEC 17025 quality system requirements.
- Ensuring inventory on consumables.
- Change gases for instruments and always ensure availability of gases.
- Load results in LIMS.
Laboratory Analyst
WEARCHECK
10.2018 - 06.2022
- Defined and approved the quality of water using key analytical chemistry tools and methods such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), ICP OES and UV-Vis Spec, Discrete analyzers, Auto titrator, Wet Chemistry, Effluent testing COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), pH, Conductivity, Alkalinity, TSS (Total Suspended Solids), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Oil and Grease, Turbidity, Microbiological analysis of water samples for E. coli, Total coliforms, HPC, Faecal coliforms, Yeast & Mould.
- Elemental analysis on samples and samples preparation.
- Produced and recorded traceable, verifiable analytical data, and reported exceeded laid down limits, and non-conforming results that were out of specification (OOS) and out of trend (OOT).
- Collected and evaluated lab data and transferred results that met specification into the Laboratory Information Management System.
- SHEQ Representative. Ensures that SHEQ issues clarity in all activities. Ensures that all staff, visitors and contractors are compliant with Health, Safety and Environment management systems.
- Participated in routine PT/ILC for demonstrating ongoing technical competence.
- Recorded data in compliance with ISO 17025 and took responsibility for the quality of the data generated.
- Ensured all staff and visitors were compliant with the Health, Safety and Environmental management systems.
- Received samples, prepared samples, preparation of reagents, and preparation of standards.
- Maintaining a general housekeeping, doing daily checks on instruments, set up and calibrate testing equipment.
- Retain all excess or unused products and ensure safe disposal of waste chemicals or inferior products.
- Collect and evaluate data or results and capture the accurate data onto LIMS.
Laboratory Analyst
CHEVRON REFINERY
10.2018 - 11.2021
- Received samples, prepared samples, preparation of reagents, and preparation of standards.
- Accurately perform analysis using authorized ASTM test methods, follow works procedures, policies and instructions.
- Defined and approved the quality of petroleum, diesel and gas using key analytical chemistry tools and methods such as gas chromatography, GC distillations, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), ICP OES, AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometers), XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence), UV-Vis, FTIR, GC/FID.
- Wet Chemistry analytical techniques, Effluent testing [COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), pH, Conductivity, TSS (Total Suspended Solids), Phenols, Oil in Effluent, Turbidity, Sulfides Ammonia in Effluent]. Sulphur analyses fuel.
- Analyze Asphalt or Bitumen and Oil, Flash point. Distillation, Oxidation Stability, do physical tests. Do Bug or Bacteria testing. Analyze Total Acid Number (TAN), Viscosity analysis, Karl fisher on oils, crudes, and other fuels.
- Delivery of assigned tasks at a specified time, and delivery of daily KPI’s on time, always ensuring customer interactions by either telephone or e-mail. Perform statistical evaluations for sample analyses and quality analyses for samples. Assist in method development and update relevant laboratory procedures.
- Always keep track and report shortages of laboratory consumables. Always provide updates on the availability of consumables and make sure they have availability.
- Responsible for checking the updates of maintenance of laboratory equipment or instruments by relevant technicians and report any laboratory equipment that requires maintenance.
- I produce and record traceable, verifiable analytical data and results, and immediately report what exceeds laid down limits, non-conforming results or out of spec. Responsible for retention of raw data for traceability.
- Maintaining a general housekeeping, doing daily checks on instruments, set up and calibrate testing equipment.
- Retain all excess or unused products and ensure safe disposal of waste chemicals or inferior products.
- Collect and evaluate data or results and capture the accurate data onto LIMS.
Education
Bachelor of Technology - Chemistry
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
01-2016
National Diploma - Analytical Chemistry
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
01-2015
National Senior Certificate - undefined
Luhlaza Senior Secondary School
01-2011
Skills
Initiative-taking team leadership
Relationship building, networking capability & mentoring, and I can operate in a team environment
Precision and accuracy
Ability to work and cope under any constant pressure and setbacks
Adaptive Person, also good at achieving personal goals and objective
Safety conscious, always following instructions and procedures
Analytical thinking, planning, and organizational skills
Pay attention to details, focus on results, deliver results, and meet customers’ expectations
Adapting and responding to change
Computer literate in Microsoft Office Suite, word processing and excel spreadsheet applications
Technical Customer Support Service and meeting customer expectations
Strong Communication skills and people skills
STAR-LIMS Operation and Gas Chromatographic techniques, ICP-OES, GC/FID, GC/TCD, GC/PDHID, AAS, FTIR, XRF, UV-Vis, use of Pycnometer, Titrations, Gravimetric analysis, TAN, Karl Fisher, Acidity, Color, Pour point, Cloud Point, Viscosity Use spectrometer Elemental analysis
Adherence and implementation of working knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality System and ISO/IEC 17025 quality management system requirements, practice GLP (Good Laboratory Practice)
Calibration, operation and troubleshooting or maintenance of analytical instruments or equipment
High safety and quality awareness and application Good in adhering to principles and values
Quality control and working knowledge on routine sample preparation techniques
Technical report writing skills and presentation skills
Time management and project management skills
Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) – foundational knowledge
Gamma spectrometry (exposure/interest)
Neutron measurement techniques (exposure/interest)
Radiation detection instruments
Nuclear material measurement and verification
Instrument calibration and calibration procedures
Radioactive source handling and storage
Sample handling and storage compliance
Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
SHEQ compliance and safety management
Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Waste Management
Environmental Management
Transport Safety
Decommissioning
Good Communication skills, both verbal and written
Knowledge and application of computer and analytical tools
knowledge of underground mine ventilation
innovative problem-solving skills
Teamwork
Organizational skills
Active listening
Team collaboration
Team building
Attention to detail
Effective communication
Critical thinking
Adaptability and flexibility
Time management abilities
Self motivation
Scientific writing
Decision-making
Excellent communication
Multitasking Abilities
Time management
Problem-solving
Teamwork and collaboration
ISO compliance
Machinery troubleshooting
Manufacturing decontamination
Preventive Maintenance
Corrective action implementation
Sample preparation
Laboratory techniques
Analytical chemistry
Data interpretation
Research and development
Chemical synthesis
Waste reduction
Hazardous waste management
Chemical analysis
Chemical storage
Instrument Calibration
Environmental monitoring
Technical report writing
Laboratory management
Analytical techniques
Chemical handling
Process troubleshooting
Timeline
Chemical Technologist
iThemba Labs
01.2025 - Current
Laboratory Technician
RENERGEN (TETRA 4)
12.2022 - 01.2025
Laboratory Analyst
WEARCHECK
10.2018 - 06.2022
Laboratory Analyst
CHEVRON REFINERY
10.2018 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Technology - Chemistry
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
National Diploma - Analytical Chemistry
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
National Senior Certificate - undefined
Luhlaza Senior Secondary School