Dr Nombulelo Kholeka Zaca, a teacher from ML Sultan Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg, has reached an extraordinary milestone by obtaining her Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences, with a specialisation in Hospitality and Tourism, from the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The culmination of her academic journey was celebrated at the DUT 2024 Autumn Graduation ceremony, held at the Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, 14 May, 2024.
Dr Zaca’s passion for education and dedication to her field was evident as she shared insights into her ground-breaking PhD thesis. Her research delved into the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism education in South Africa, particularly focusing on the sudden shift from traditional teaching methods to digital learning platforms.
Expressing her elation, Dr Zaca remarked: “I’m over the moon and very excited about my achievement. I hope this accomplishment opens new doors for me.”
She extended her gratitude to her supervisor, Professor D Hlengwa and co-supervisor, Professor R Sucheran, for their guidance and support throughout her academic journey.
Her thesis is titled:”A Model to Enhance Tourism Education Post the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case of uMgungundlovu and Harry Gwala District Municipalities”.
Dr Zaca conducted her research with the objective of enhancing tourism education post COVID-19.
“This study yielded results leading to the development of a model designed to strengthen resilience of tourism education in high schools within the uMgungundlovu and Harry Gwala District Municipalities. The model’s primary objective is to elevate the quality of tourism curricula by actively involving the industry in the curriculum design process. To also ensure the survival and adaptability of tourism education, resilient pedagogical strategies are proposed, involving a redesigned curriculum that reflects industry trends,” she replied.
Going forward, Dr Zaca, who teaches Tourism to Grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils, says she intends to build tourism education “so that it becomes a recognised, accredited, world-known subject.”
Dr Zaca excitedly shared that she further wishes to become a lecturer at DUT. Dr Zaca’s remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration to educators and students alike, demonstrating the power of dedication, resilience and academic pursuit in driving positive change in the field of education.
Pictured: Dr Nombulelo Zaca.
Waheeda Peters
