The Durban University of Technology student housing and res life leaders were recognized during the annual departmental awards ceremony early this month.

Entrusted with extra-curricular activities while residing at the university’s residence, students execute leadership skills from being house committee to sport committee members in their designated residence.

The Director for student housing and res life, Doc Nhassengo, said the night was to recognize excellence and exemplary leadership in residences.

“As a department, we felt that it is important to recognize that leadership doesn’t only rests the time you were elected as house committee member, but it is all about hard work,” said Nhassengo.

He added that his department had alot of avenues for young emerging leaders in the university to exercise their leadership skills such as Insika men’s network nurturing young men, Qhakaza Ladies network and Green Campus Initiative (GCI).

“As the student housing and residence life department, we have also moved away from providing what would normally be just accommodation. We said as student housing and resident life we must provide opportunities for student to exercise everything that they will need in the near future after being at DUT,” said Nhassengo.

Furthermore, Nhassengo urged students to take advantage of such opportunities as they would add value to their careers after acquiring academic diplomas.

Winterton Residence Advisor (RA) Dr Euvette Cardian Taylor said young leaders should not be power driven and as RA’s they wanted to see the best in them.

“I know that today as I speak, next year there will be an engineer from here, but it starts with the dream,” said Dr Taylor.

Taylor advised students to contribute back to their respective societies saying through talks, conferences and socializing while playing pool table a business deal can be signed.

Delivering his key note address Mfanafuthi Biyela of Biyela attorneys said being a leader needs one to be courageous and able to stand for what they believe in.

“Leadership is when you stand in front of everyone present your case while everyone listens including the judge in court,” said Biyela.

Biyela added that the society perceives a leader as the most vocal person in their mist while according to him a leader cannot be determined by that.

Pictured: Doc Nhassengo (Director: Student Housing and Res Life at the Department of Student Housing and Residence life) with Ryan Nkosi (Persada Student Housing and Res Life Resident Advisor) and Xolani Nkosi (Orab Student Housing and Res Life Resident Advisor) during the annual Student Housing and Resident Life awards. 

Mbuso Kunene.