The 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 Minenhle Khumalo, a lecturer at the Department of Media, Language and Communication under the Faculty of Arts and Design.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am a lecturer at the Department of Media, Language and Communication under the Faculty of Arts and Design.”

Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I started working for DUT in January 2018 as a junior part-time lecturer. In 2021, I was appointed as a full-time lecturer.”

Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “There are two principles that I’m mostly associated with: Professionalism and Excellence. These two demonstrate my capacity to be a reliable, honest, and diligent individual who is excellent at what he does.”

Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful?
A: “The new tagline inspires us, the DUT family (staff and students) to be creative and impactful. Basically, it inspires us to be agents of change in our society.”

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “By establishing connections within the institution. In that way, it would be easier to preserve our ENVISION2030 values and principles.”

Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “One thing people do not know about me is that I lived in China and Malaysia for three years. I am fluent in Mandarin.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “It is transforming DUT to becoming one of the prestigious institutions of higher education around the globe. I am happy to witness this as a current employee and a former DUT student.”

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “Exploring new restaurants, tasting different cuisine, and spending time with loved ones.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “Through providing quality education to students and lending a helping hand to my colleagues at all times.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “My family, they inspire me to do great things.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “I want to grow professionally and advance career wise.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “If I had one wish, I would wish for a world free of violence, poverty, and suffering.”