As part of its ENVISION2030 strategy, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) aspires to produce adaptive graduates that will participate productively in the development of our region, country and the world. Mnqobi Ngobese, DUT Communication’s editorial team member, recently engaged with the DUT Athletics star Akhona Dlamini, to share her student experience through sports and academics and how she lives the DUT Living Values.

Name : Akhona Dlamini

Place of birth : Scottburgh

Sport code : Athletics

Qualification: Bachelor of Sports Science and Management

 Q:  When did you join the DUT Sport Team?

A: “I joined the DUT athletics team last year, in March 2023.”

Q: What sparked your interest in this type of sport?

A: “⁠I have always been a fan and had an interest in athletics, specifically running, since primary school where we had events during the year, such as sport days. I had a desire of and aspired the concept of competing, wearing a race number, seeing myself on television winning a race and much more.”

Q: In terms of the position you play, elaborate what it entails and how it benefits the team?

A: “⁠⁠I am a long distance runner and in our team we don’t have a lot of distance runners. Thus being able to run longer distances, having endurance, stamina and other qualities, inspires and motivates other members to put more effort into the sport, and work towards improving and performing.”

 Q: Which other sport codes are you interested in and why?

A “There are no other sport codes that I am really interested in currently besides athletics. However, I had interest in soccer and netball when I was younger, as in high school I used to play soccer on an amateur level, as well as a bit of netball in my community.”

Q: What is the biggest tournament you have participated in?

A: “The biggest tournament that I have participated in is the KwaZulu-Natal Cross Country Championships.”

Q: Why is it vital for DUT to develop students in sports?

A: “Sports is not just a concept of recreation, activeness, fun and enjoyment, however it is a fundamental aspect in most if not all countries. Developing more students in sports can help increase their rate of physical and mental health and well-being. It could teach students more skills relating to different sport codes as well as give them opportunities to develop their own characters and grow personally, while being part of a team. Being in a team and sporting environment as a student can introduce you to different types of people and socialise with individuals who can play a major role in your life, as well as to disassociate from the pressure of school and studying.”

Q: Who is your sport role model and why?

A: “My sport role model is Sifan Hassan, who is a long distance runner. Her performance is absolutely astonishing. I have only begun looking up to her recently however her passion, dedication, love and importantly her competitiveness really sparked that competitiveness in me as well and encouraged me to not only take running as a hobby or personal interest but to be a part of the competitive side of it as well, and have the aspiration to be an athlete.”

Q: Which ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles do you associate with and why?

A: “The living values that I associate myself with are respect, commitment and accountability. I am an individual who acts and treats other people with respect, inside and outside of sports. My commitment to anything that I choose to begin and engage in, is what keeps me motivated and determined to finish whatever I start, and improve wherever I can, and to also be able to be accountable for anything that I engage in.”

Q: Do you see a future in Athletics?

“Yes, I do see a future in this particular sport. I need to get out of my comfort zone and begin to challenge myself more.”

Q: As a DUT sport star, how does your role benefit your community?

A: “⁠In my community, many people know me for being a runner, as I come across many of them during my runs and training sessions when I am at my hometown. There are not a lot of active teenagers and sports people in my neighbourhood, besides young boys who play soccer every now and then in the streets and backyards, thus for them to see me as a young female who is passionate and dedicated to sport makes them proud and feel represented as a community. My role in sports has also inspired younger kids, even adults as well to begin being active and participate in sports on a higher level, and to be a part of teams and clubs, from minor clubs to major clubs.”

Q: What impact has sport made on your life?

A: “⁠Sport has had a very big impact in my life, as it does not only keep me going, active, and healthier, but it has also opened me up to a different society, the sports society, full of aspirational, goal-driven, mindful, professional people as well as other attributes. It has given me the opportunity to travel and be more familiar with different places which I would have never known and have an experience of without sport.”

Q: Can you suggest some ideas to attract spectators to varsity sport?

A: “The university needs to have a larger scale of athletes and general sport participants from different places, not only from a particular region. Be more active and content feeding on different social media platforms, and utilise those which offer a wider range of different populations, not only on social media, but physically as well. Another way in which varsity sport can be promoted and have more spectators is by having partnerships with more organisations and business, not only sport based organisations but non-sport organisations as well.”