Durban University of Technology (DUT) officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, comprising five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are underpinned by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT Media Officer, Simangele Zuma, recently engaged in a conversation with Prichard Mooketsi, a Systems Analyst under the Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) at DUT to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I am a Systems Analyst, responsible for the operations, development and deployment of all the ICTS applications with the primary focus on SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.”

 Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?  

A: “I joined DUT on 06 May 2024.”

Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?  

A: “I actually associate with all of them but if I were to choose the core value amongst the rest, I would say integrity. It is one of my personal core values that I try to live by in both my personal and professional journey. It speaks to walking the talk and sticking to the truth in spite of the outcomes.”

Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful? 

A: “I love it! It speaks volume of what we (DUT) are aiming for and I have already seen different projects like World of Work (WoW) and Community Volunteers Engagement programmes and a few others. I believe through such programmes we will raise the bar. However, it will take proper people management to achieve this.”

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?

A: “For me it is about stewardship, being proactive and not waiting when I know that I could do something to make a difference in the organisation. One of the things I found lacking so far is employee wellness programmes. We do have a service provider but I am of the view that they can do more in a proactive way than being there and waiting to react. I did reach out to the wellness team and shared my views and ideas which they appreciated. Hopefully in the coming year we will start to see changes and movement in that area.”

Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?  

A: “I am a very shy person. I don’t like office politics or condescending conversations in general.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT? 

A: “DUT will become a preferred organisation to work for. With the outreach programmes that I mentioned above, we can become the best and not necessarily for us but to make an ever lasting impact in people’s lives.”

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?  

A: “I like keeping fit. I enjoy being at the beach, it’s for free and refreshing, any day. I also like reading, I am currently reading “A New Earth” by Eckhard Tolle and “Disciplines of a Godly Man” by Kent Hughes. I believe in self and I love spending time with people though limited. I also enjoy cooking, I love good food.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?  

 A: “To be involved in impactful programmes as much as I can, I believe being at DUT is a blessing and a great stage to interact with both the young and the old. I love working with young people, it inspires me to share my story and encourage them.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “I plan, God decides! I trust and believe in the best outcome of every daily occurrence no matter what.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT? 

A: “To retire within the next 10 years, build a legacy for my family, own my time and continue to serve communities in different platforms. I think I will always be part of DUT.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

A: “Help people to write their own stories and live a purposeful life.”