The Durban University of Technology hosted a banquet at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus, where its recently formed union with Pax College was celebrated.
The partnership was formed in a bid to address the skills shortage in South Africa by providing quality higher education as well as effective community development programmes. Setting the tone for the evening, Marius Calitz, Coastal KZN FET College Lecturer said the partnership would benefit both institutions.
“Like the faces of the creature in the book of Ezekiel, may this partnership have strength and courage like a lion, face challenges like an ox, have the face and humanity of man, have sight for future prospects like an eagle and fly higher in the future”, he said.
Pax College Chief Executive Officer Brenda Govender said she hopes that the partnership would bring solutions that will impact the country’s education system. “We celebrated 21 years in the FET education sector this year and are pleased. It is truly a milestone. We have worked hard at adding a good quality education to our country but we can’t do it alone. I hope this partnership brings about solutions that will impact our education system in South Africa and to the province. I couldn’t be happier with this partnership as DUT has a number of successful programmes that I see benefiting our college and our students”, she said.
In attendance from KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Education, Dr Hintsa Mhlane said he hopes that the union brings back the nobility of teaching.
“We look forward to the work that will come out of this union. DUT is an amazing institution that produces great students. We thank all members of staff for their hard work and we look forward to this journey”, said Frans Grey, Manager at Pax College.
– Nongcebo Khumalo
Pictured from right: Marius Calitz, Pax College Lecturer; Persy Maphumulo, Pax College Administrator; Frans Grey; Pax College Manager, Brenda Govender, Pax College CEO (standing on her right hand side is her husband Mr Govender), DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Professor Ahmed Bawa, Dr Hintsa Mhlane from the KZN Department of Education and Thekwini FET Colleges Rector; Brian Cadir.
