The Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a Farewell Dinner for the Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Nthanyiseni Dhumazi at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre on Tuesday, 10 December 2024.

The Programme Director was the vibrant, Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT, who wished Mrs Dhumazi well on her new endeavors.

The CFO joined DUT four years ago, throughout these years she worked tirelessly to improve the finances of the university, formulating strategies that promoted financial sustainability as enshrined on the ENVISION2030 strategy. She will soon be moving closer to her family and will be joining the Vaal University of Technology.

Sharing the first farewell message was the Procurement Director, Mrs Nonhlanhla Gumbi, speaking on behalf of the finance team that the CFO was guiding and leading during her stay at DUT.

“I am glad that the CFO did not part because she didn’t like us, but she chose the best that everyone will know that you must choose. If you choose your family amongst everything, you really become a real person. As much as we wanted to spend more time with her, I guess we could not,” said Gumbi.

She reflected on the time she joined DUT in 2020 when she worked virtually for four months reporting to the CFO she had never met. Gumbi was shocked by the CFO’s kindness when she asked to deliver her Christmas gift despite having not met physically. She commended the CFO for being a great leader ad for always coming up with strategies that met numbers.

“You know you can have the best strategy but if the numbers do not talk, we wouldn’t use your strategy. The CFO here at DUT has showed that in all effects. We are the only support business that has drafted and prepared a value proposition, which is what our clients need. We are well educated with ENVISION2030 through the work that she has been doing with us. We will miss you CFO and the meetings where we had to touch on the DUT Living Values,” shared Mrs Gumbi.

The Chairperson of the Finance Committee at DUT, Mr Bishen Singh commended the CFO for having weathered all the storms she faced since joining DUT. He spoke about how they were impressed with her accolades during the selection process of the CFO. According to Singh, the CFO had brought big wins for DUT. He applauded her for putting together a finance structure and for bringing the right people to DUT.

Sharing the same sentiments was the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu who emphasised that the university had tried to keep the CFO but had to make peace with the fact that her family needed her more. He mentioned that the CFO helped to bring five chartered accountants to DUT, which was something new for the university. Prof Mthembu commended the CFO for having had the courage to move from Limpopo to Durban with her kids and husband. He thanked for all her hard work and for striving for excellence throughout her stay at DUT.

The outgoing DUT Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Nthanyiseni Dhumazi with her family.

Saying her goodbyes to her colleagues, the CFO revealed that the plan was to stay at DUT for 10 years, however family responsibilities do not permit her to do so. On stage she was accompanied by her beautiful family consisting of her husband, sister-in-law and her two children.

“We lost our dad, my father-in-law at the beginning of this year. My parents passed away some time back. The old lady, my mother-in-law is now all by herself. Whenever she is sick it takes us a while to get to her. There was a time when she was hospitalised for two weeks and I couldn’t be there for her as I needed to be back here. I was heartbroken as I felt like I was neglecting her, as the only daughter-in-law she has,” explained the CFO.

She also shared a few lessons she learnt from her parents which she felt kept her going at DUT. She said her parents taught her to respect and treat people well regardless of their work title, to bring blessings to her life. The CFO said when you respect people, it is easy to treat them well. Her belief is for one to get off the dance floor before one ends up boring people. She extended her sincere gratitude to her family for allowing her to move them to Durban after being offered the position at DUT. She commended the leadership of Prof Mthembu and thanked the Finance unit for treating her well and for putting in all the efforts to see her strategies come to life.

In closing the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane delivered the vote of thanks. He thanked the Dhumazi family for lending DUT the CFO. He thanked DUT Council members led by their Chairperson, Mr Wiseman Madinane and the Executive Management for gracing the event. All guests were appreciated for their attendance and for making the event a success. He also conducted a celebratory toast to the CFO wishing her success and good fortune as she bows out of DUT.

Pictured: The DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu bidding farewell to the CFO, Mrs Nthanyiseni Dhumazi.

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile

Simangele Zuma