Durban University of Technology (DUT) has launched 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, Waheeda Peters spoke to Ms Nokwethemba Radebe, who is a Research Finance Assistant, at the Postgraduate Office, in the Faculty of Management Sciences.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

  A: “I am currently serving as a Research Finance Assistant at the Postgraduate Office, in the Faculty of Management Sciences.”

Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?   

A: “I joined the Faculty of Management Sciences’ Postgraduate Office when I had to do my three months of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). When my internship journey came to an end, the unit retained me and offered me a contract.”

Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why? 

A: “I would say transparency, honesty and respect. They say money is the root of all evil so my line of work requires transparency and honesty. I also work closely with people and respect is everything when dealing with different personalities.”

Q: What are your views on the new DUT tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful?   

A: “Personally, I feel this tagline resembles everything that DUT is. We have creative students who hail from different backgrounds, and who go out to the industry and make an impact. Some of the most well-accomplished people in South Africa are DUT alumni.”

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?   

A: “Our colleagues from Human Capital Services and DUT Communications have been doing a good job in keeping us up to date on the various activities and activations happening across the university. I plan to read all the communications that comes my way and also make time to attend the various Living Values initiatives.”

Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?

A: “I am approachable, most people assume that I am not.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?   

A: “The ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework will benefit DUT by serving as a guide that will assist the university in reaching both its short and long term goals.”

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: “I love reading, mainly reading fiction novels.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?

A: “To always give staff and postgraduate students the best service when they reach out to our office.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?

A: “The only thing that keeps me going each day is the thought of my beautiful family. They motivate me to work harder and make them even more proud.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?   

A: “To continue growing and learning in my current job position as I am a recent graduate with not much industry experience attached to my name.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

A: “To always be known as an independent woman who carries herself well at home and in the workplace.”