Meet David Ming

David Ming is a senior lecturer of Chemical Engineering at Wits University, he is one of the 2014 Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans (for his contributions in Education) and is also a Director of the non-profit organisation Engineers Without Borders.

"Don’t be shy of your history or where you come from. Your family probably sacrificed a lot, worked very hard, and had to endure a lot of intolerance to set you up for the best possible chance of success. Be proud, but always stay humble." ~ David Ming

Read more about why David is proud to be Chinese and proud to be South African.

Name: David Ming

Occupation: Senior lecturer of chemical engineering. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Director - Engineers Without Borders South Africa

1. Where were you born?

Johannesburg

2. What school/college/university did you attend?

I attended Marist Brothers, Linmeyer for my entire school career. After school, I studied chemical engineering at Wits University and obtained both my BSc and PhD from Wits.

3. What is your fondest childhood memory, growing up as a Chinese child?

Buying bao on Saturday mornings with my parents in China Town, Commissioner Street.
My parents used to operate a weekend stall at Bruma flea market in the 90s. They sold Chinese sweets and packaged foods. A large portion of my childhood memories come from eating two minute packet mein, rollerblading around the market and playing 8-bit TV games as a flea market kid.

4. What is your favourite Chinese food?

Far too many but these are the regulars: Chicken juk (congee) with yàuhjagwái (deep fried dough), Mapo tofu, dan tat, any kind of choy…

5. Where do you live?

Johannesburg

6. What work do you do?

I am employed at Wits University as a senior lecturer of chemical engineering. I conduct chemical engineering research and also teach engineering students. I’m also a director at Engineers Without Borders South Africa (EWB-SA), which is a registered non-profit company in South Africa. EWB-SA seeks to advance and transform the engineering sector through engineering-centric programmes and portfolios, and our student chapters help local communities through engineering projects and partnerships. EWB-SA has a national footprint of over 1600 student members residing in four provinces and studying at nine academic institutions. We represent the largest and most active body of young engineers in the country. Almost 40% of our membership is female. In 2016, our student chapters worked on 37 community development projects.
After graduating, I went to go work for a water company that treated acid mine drainage into drinking water. I then had an opportunity to travel overseas and write a textbook on my PhD work. After returning, I realised that I could have a bigger impact in society if I did not pursue a “traditional” engineering track in industry.

7. What do you love about your job?

Every day is different, and I have the freedom to pursue different interests. I work around a lot of young people, and because of that I get to watch how people grow into professionals.

8. What is your proudest achievement?

Starting and growing a national non-profit and publishing a textbook.

9. Why are you proud to be South African?

South Africans stand up for what they believe in. There’s always a sense of hope and spirit in South Africans, and an infectious energy about SA that visitors crave. We are always optimistic. Also, we live in a beautiful part of the World.

10. Why are you proud to be Chinese?

I think we are always punching above our weight and achieving things that people don’t expect us to. We have a very strong work ethic and a history that others admire. The Chinese South African population is extremely small compared to other demographics in South Africa, yet we still manage to make a difference wherever we are.

11. Name one Chinese tradition that you’d like future generations to continue with?

That’s hard to say because I think every family has their own traditions and reasons for doing things. I think it’s more important to take the time to identify and understand the specific traditions of your family and why it is special to them, and then try to keep those traditions alive. It’s not so much about the tradition or physical act itself, but more about what it represents that is important, and it helps to maintain a sense of heritage and pride.

12. What advice would you give to the Chinese youth today in South Africa?

Don’t be shy of your history or where you come from. Your family probably sacrificed a lot, worked very hard, and had to endure a lot of intolerance to set you up for the best possible chance of success. Be proud, but always stay humble.

Want to contact David?

Email him david@ewbsa.org. Please visit the EWB-SA website (ewbsa.org) and considering becoming a member and a volunteer. It’s not just for engineers.