The purpose of this study was to investigate the expectations and perceived challenges of mentees and mentors regarding a formal mentoring programme within the South African work context. The convenience sampling method was used to identify respondents (N = 12). Qualitative methods were used to collect and analyse data on the respondents’ views on the formal mentoring programme. The results suggest that male and female mentees differ in terms of their expectations and the challenges they perceive in the formal mentoring relationship. The expectations of mentees also appear to be different from those of mentors regarding the formal relationship.