The Durban University of Technology (DUT) proudly hosted the 2023 ENVISION2030 Institutional Awards to honour the outstanding achievements of its staff and students. The prestigious event took place at the Hilton Hotel in Durban on Saturday, 30 November 2024

Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations  with the winners of the Transformation And Change Champion Award

The recipients of the awards were acknowledged for their efforts in achieving the objectives of the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy. The award winners were applauded for their significant impact on local, national and/or international communities through teaching and learning, research and exhibiting exemplary behaviour that embodies the DUT values and principles. Through their efforts, the winners have contributed to the development of society and ultimately, to the improvement of the lives and livelihoods of our communities.

Facilitating the awards ceremony were the charismatic Ms Hlamarisa Kubayi, Director of Facilities and Maintenance at DUT and Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations at DUT.

In his welcome remarks, the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, commenced by thanking the staff members who had worked hard behind the scenes to organise the magnificent event.

“Universities are one of those institutions of society that are very resilient. Part of their resilience has to do with what they are about. They are about the pursuit of truth and the pursuit of excellence. Even in the mix of what some of you may or may not have heard about, that happened in August, especially in September. Some of you may not even know what I’m referring to because you must have been busy pursuing excellence and pursuing the truth,” shared Prof Mthembu.

He then shared the findings of his search on ChatGPT regarding what was happening at DUT in August and September 2024. Professor Mthembu said that according to ChatGPT in August and September this year, DUT hosted several significant events and achievements.

“One was the Spring Graduation ceremonies; DUT celebrated its Spring Graduation on 19 September 2024 at the Durban Exhibition Centre. This event honoured the achievements of students completing their degrees, emphasising their academic and personal growth. Two, under the topic of Research recognition, in August, DUT was awarded the prestigious Focus Research Advancement Award by the National Research Foundation. This accolade acknowledged the university’s strides in research conductivity over the previous five years. Three, the Annual Learning and Teaching Imbizo. DUT hosted this conference themed Beyond Limits, Reshaping the Future of Higher Education. The event included submissions and discussions on innovative teaching and learning. Four, was collaborations and partnerships, where DUT strengthened ties with the South African Qualifications Authority to advance higher education standards and research,” shared Professor Mthembu.

DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu with the Ndwedwe Project team who won the Chancellor’s Awards (Impactful).

In addition, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal indicated that ChatGPT had further stated that these activities highlighted DUT’s focus on academic excellence, research and community engagement during this period. Professor Mthembu assured the guests that there was nothing else added during this period. He said as far as ChatGPT, the other things that took place during this period, never happened. Professor Mthembu said those events were so insignificant that they could not even get a place in the databases of the world.

“That is the resilience that I am talking about at the university, that when you might think so much is happening. What is happening is very insignificant. What is significant is what we are here about, the excellence that people pursue and the truth that our people are pursuing. During this semester we didn’t lose a day, even in the height of whatever was written in the newspapers. The Registrar emphasised how our students behaved so well, that there wasn’t any violent student protest this semester. Instead, the battles were between management and council, which you didn’t event care to stop what you were doing, you just continued with your work. That is what we are celebrating, that’s what resilience is about in an institution of this nature as it pursues excellence and truth,” reiterated Professor Mthembu as he congratulated all the winners.

The keynote speaker was the dynamic businessman and author, Mr Sbonelo Mbatha, who is the Co-Founder and Director of PetroCONNECT, one of the largest fuel retail consultancy businesses in South Africa. He authored the book: The Petrol Attendant. Mbatha, who is originally from KwaShali at Izingolweni on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, left many people inspired after sharing his journey from being a petrol attendant to a successful entrepreneur, owning several petrol stations. The Accounting graduate from the Mangosuthu University of Technology shared how he aspired to become an accountant but did not get a chance to practice as one. He revealed that it was his petrol attendant job that paved the way to his entrepreneurial journey. He does not see himself doing an office job or working for someone as he feels becoming an entrepreneur has greater rewards. His talk aligned with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy which encourages the university’s students to be entrepreneurial, to become job creators instead of job seekers.

He shared that in July 2021, during the looting and unrest, all of his petrol stations were burnt to ashes. He expressed his gratitude to God for keeping him sane after seeing videos that were circulating of his businesses being burnt down and the vandalism that took place.

“If I had known how hard it was going to be, I might not have started. I am so glad that I didn’t know because if I did, I would not be standing here,” concluded Mbatha.

In closing the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane thanked all guests for attending the event. He also congratulated the award winners on the night. Dr Nkonoane extended DUT’s collective gratitude to the keynote speaker, Mr Mbatha for his inspirational speech.

The winners of the DUT 2023 ENVISION2030 Institutional Awards were:

Pictured: Winners of the Research, Innovation and Engagement (RIE) Impact Award with Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: RIE.

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.

Simangele Zuma