A robust Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Engagement with Student Leaders and Networking Dinner took place at The Capital Zimbali on Tuesday, 07 May 2024. The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu got an opportunity to engage and to share wisdom on personal and leadership development with the DUT Student Representative Council (SRC) and Student Parliament members.

This remarkable event was organised by the Student Governance and Development unit with the aim of sharpening the student leader’s leadership skills. The programme director was Mr Masiza Ngculu, Manager: Student Governance and Development unit at DUT.

Delivering the opening remarks and welcoming the guests was the Dean of Students at DUT, Dr Clement Moreku, who began by acknowledging Prof Mthembu for setting time aside from his busy schedule to meet with student leaders, to engage with them and to provide his vision of the university.

“The Vice-Chancellor is here to also listen to the student leadership because DUT is essentially not for the Vice-Chancellor and not for the Registrar, DUT is us. As a result it is important that every voice is heard. The importance of creating these platforms for constructive engagement also has to do with our approach towards giving more to the student-led conversations. We believe that the student leaders as the future of this country, need to be instilled with the skills and knowledge so that we can be comfortable in handing over this country to them,” shared Dr Moreku.

He referred to this platform as a way of creating an informal, relaxed environment and a safe space where student leaders can engage with the university management. He indicated that the student leaders were fortunate to have Prof Mthembu engaging with them as one of the longest serving Vice-Chancellors within the higher education institutions. Dr Moreku believes that Prof Mthembu, with his extensive experience, has a lot of wisdom to share with the student leaders. He advised the student leaders to use him to sharpen themselves as they evolve to become great leaders.

Sharing the same sentiments was Mr Phumani Mnyango, Interim Director: Student Services who delivered his message of support. He noted that from the time he had joined DUT in 2017, the university has been through a number of changes. He indicated that the event affirmed the seriousness of the university management in ensuring that the student leaders are part and parcel of transforming DUT. He advised the student leaders to take such opportunities seriously, to become adaptive graduates who will not only transform their lives but the lives of the people in the society.

SRC President, Solomzi Zoleka spoke on behalf of the student leaders present, conveying their gratitude to Prof Mthembu for affording them the opportunity to meet with him, engage in a meaningful dialogue and share their perspectives about matters of importance at DUT.

“Vice-Chancellor, the professionals are speaking highly of you from different stakeholders, Departments of Higher Education and even the business sectors. We have seen and now know your contribution in the higher education sector. It is essential for us and the management to strengthen our relationship so that we can be able to close ranks for any opportunism by those who are anti-current administration,” said Zoleka.

He also shared his concern over the NSFAS and housing issues which he felt usually led to student protests. He requested Prof Mthembu to use his influence to propose a working model for NSFAS when meeting with the ministers and relevant personnel.

The DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu conveyed his sincere appreciation to be given an opportunity to be in dialogue with student leaders at the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Engagement Workshop.

“I appreciate the opportunity to be in a dialogue because we are in a different world now and the approach to imparting information has changed a lot,” he said.

He further indicated that the university is not a political party.

“Whilst in a political party there are certain ways of working there. Those ways of working don’t necessarily apply to here, at the university. As we are sitting in this room it is a university space because of the nature of what we do. So, rules that apply in the environment that some of you have grown up in, such as political environments, the most unfortunate thing is that people forget to leave those ways of doing things outside the gates of DUT or any university for that matter,” he said.

He shared his presentation that delved into inspiring honesty and integrity, providing quotes which are featured on YouTube by Jeanette Ellul.

Prof Mthembu spoke of some of the examples of quotes by Ellul such as: ‘Decide what you stand for and stand for it all the time. One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised. Integrity means that you are the same in public as you are in private’, and looked at these examples of integrity and honesty to explain that leadership requires character. He shared that he wants to discourage young people who are angry and come from disadvantaged, poor backgrounds, to not allow those reasons to stand in the way of their success.

“It does not matter what your background is, it’s what you as an individual adheres to that builds character,” he stressed.

He further encourages the student leaders to lead by example and to live by the DUT values and principles.

“This university needs to grow, so we all need to put our ‘hands on deck’ for it to grow,” he said.

Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane concluded the event by acknowledging and commending the organisers for widening the engagement participation process for this event to student parliament but for also widening it to other units to consolidate student development in pursuit of DUT excellence in distinctive education. He also asked the organisers, going forward, to consider a hybrid session to supplant the hard work done by the Lekgotla Dialogue series and to extend an invitation to various other stakeholders through live feeds from the comforts of their own spaces.
He further thanked Prof Mthembu for making time from his busy schedule to be at this event.

“I must convey our collective gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Mthembu for taking time out to share his pearls of wisdom. We are in the right place led by the Vice-Chancellor with a good track record, and I can’t imagine anyone to have led us to nearly two decades at DUT,” he said.

Pictured, DUT student leaders with the Dean of Students, Dr Clement Moreku, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Thandwa Mthembu, and the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane.

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.

Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters