The Student Representative Council (SRC) Sports and Recreation Officer (Durban) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Mr Thembinkosi Mayise believes that his leadership capacity will turn the vision of the SRC into reality.
Mayise is the third born of Mr And Mrs Mayise, he was born and bred in Mtunzini, Mzimela Tribal Authority, Noshungu Reserve under the capable leader of Chief Thanda Mzimela kaMpiyezintombi.
His journey at DUT was not that easy because he comes from a background that is surrounded by poverty, unemployment and inequality but his determination, hunger for success and also meeting students from different backgrounds made his journey easy.
Mayise explained where his passion for politics comes from.
“My uncle, Selby Sibusiso Mayise was brutally murdered by Mine workers in Carletonville where he was serving as the Regional Chair of National Union of Mine (NUM) workers and he was in the list of the African National Congress (ANC) candidates for parliament in 1999. He was a bread winner, he just wanted to create a scheme that will take a percentage of money in mineworkers salaries in order to accommodate their children to further their tertiary studies. All these conditions pushed me to become politically affiliated,” he said.
His role in the SRC is to facilitate and promote all sporting activities. As the SRC Sports and Recreation officer it is his duty to persuade DUT students to participate in all sporting activities in order to improve their physical health. He also initiates projects that aim to encourage sport participation and to make it more accessible. As the Sports and Recreation Officer he liaises with the Sports Administrations Unit and other student structures. Young people have diverse talents that need to be sharpened, that is why students are encouraged to participate in all sport codes.
“My ambition about the SRC is to create accountable and effective leadership that will be transparent and equitable and the leadership that will always be on the ground addressing student issues,” he said.
As any other person, Mayise encounters challenges but as a leader with good qualities he always comes up with more progressive solutions.
“I am determined to prosper as I believe that education is a tool to success because it opens doors for people of all backgrounds,” said Mayise.
Pictured: Thembinkosi Mayise.
Nomvelo Zulu
