Durban University of Technology (DUT) approved the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework. The five values are identified as transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. The principles espoused are fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT’s Communications team, Simangele Zuma spoke to Lehlohonolo Mokhohlouloane, Safety, Health, Environment, (SHE) Specialist at DUT.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am a SHE Specialist in the university. My role is to ensure that the health and safety of staff and students is a priority in the university. Secondly, I act as an advisor and law enforcer of the health and safety in the university, ensuring that all health and safety related issues, reported, receive the attention they deserve and are addressed accordingly by those to whom authority and mandate is given. This is to ensure the repairs and maintenance of the health and safety infrastructure.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I was firstly employed in 2001 as an Administrative Assistant in the Student Housing and Residence Life unit. In 2004, I became a Residence Officer. I then became a Safety Officer in 2008 and then in 2010 to date, I became the Safety Specialist. So, I have been part of the DUT family for 23 years.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “I believe in respect and transparency. These two values, I was brought up with and they are in my DNA. I respect the young and the old. I believe that everyone needs to be given equal respect no matter what their social standards are in society. Respect has no age, colour or creed and therefore it should be afforded to every person, even to the least. You respect people and life, they will do the same. The golden rule is ‘Do to others the way you would want them do unto you’ Luke 6v31. Transparency helps one to have peace. When you are transparent, you automatically unleash integrity in you, because you have nothing to hide. I have lived all my life, endeavouring at all costs to be transparent about everything I do, particularly in the kind of work I am doing. I have realised that I gain trust and respect by being transparent in my dealings and that has resulted in me living my life peacefully.”
Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful?
A: “The tagline basically is saying to us that the time has come that as a University of Technology, we have to embrace transformation, its challenges, the changes thereof. Transformation forces one be creative in their thinking. When one does their duties, there must be some kind of distinguishing elements, something that separate or sets you apart from others and in that way you are able to have impact on those who are receiving your services.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “As indicated, some of these values were imbedded in me throughout the journey of my life and career paths. It is a matter of embracing them and ensuring that the challenges that lie ahead are received with positive attitude and mindset so that I would not find myself frustrated in the process. The truth of the matter is that change and transformation is happening and it is incumbent of me to align myself accordingly.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “I can be emotional, particularly when I see injustice happening. Not only when there is injustice, I sometimes fail to hold my emotions when something good happens. My celebration can come in the form of tears.”
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “DUT has and is still undergoing processes of change and transformation, which are putting us on the global map. Embracing the Living values Framework is the preparation in our mindset to uphold the flag and quickly embrace such changes so that we cannot lose the status and the momentum to greatness. DUT is regarded high in the space and globally, so these values will come in handy in ensuring that the dignity of the university is protected and retained.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “I go to the gym, love spending quality time with family and enjoy attending church activities (feeding and clothing the destitute).”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “I believe in teamwork because together everyone achieves more. I always encourage and influence my team to make sure that in our dealings with our customers we must leave them happy at all times. When given a task, I endeavour to excel so that my customer can trust and rely on my services.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “I believe in doing the best to achieve the best, in order to become the best.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “The work I am doing propels compliance and preservation of livelihood. Until we reach a maximum level of compliance pertaining to the laws of the country and until behavioural safety is part of the DNA of the community I serve, my work is incomplete.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “Justice for all!”
