The Department of Human Resources Management (HRM) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted its first annual Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Mentors and Orientation Awards. The ceremony recently took place at Coastlands Hotel, Umhlanga. The awards were intended to honour and celebrate the invaluable contribution of host companies and mentors who have been instrumental in the success of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme.
Senior lecturer and WIL coordinator, Dr Ashnee Rajlal welcomed all internal and external stakeholders that were present at the awards. She also thanked companies for mentoring the students and giving them the opportunity to practise what they have learnt in the classroom.
“We are excited about the prospective of building and strengthening our relationship with each of you and our goal is to create collaborative environments, where both organisation and our students can thrive,” said Dr Rajlal.
Tatenda Chikukwa from the Department of Human Resources Management shared a Human Resource Management WIL overview from 2023 to 2024. The total number of students was 131, and the total placement was 110. Twelve companies were from the private sector and NPOs, followed by six companies from the public sector. In 2024, the total number of students decreased by six, but the total placement increased by seven companies. The number of private sector and NPOs increased by nine.
The amazing partners from 2023 to 2024 from private sector and NPOs are Netcare hospital, Durdoc hospital, Spar Supatrade Group, Conlog, K-cap, Learning Youth Development (LYD) and others. In the public sector the companies are eThekwini Municipality (Parks and Recreation), Addington Hospital, Mbongolwane Hospital, Prince Mshiyeni and others.
Industrial Psychologist Karin Young, who retired as an Associate Director at DUT, graced the event. She stated that most of the executive coaching she conducted, both nationally and internationally, focused on how to lead differently. One of her areas of specialisation is leadership journeys, and she noted that there is a significant gap in this field. This conclusion was reached from an international employee engagement survey which was conducted by Mrs Young and Prof Melanie Lourens, Deputy Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT. Additionally, she mentioned her belief in collaboration and emphasized that the most successful leaders are those who have the courage to lead teams that are more talented than themselves.
Director of DUT Business School, Professor Pfano Mashau shared the progress that DUT Business School has made. He indicated that the DUT Business School was established in 2019 but it was launched in 2021. He believes the DUT Business School makes the ENVISION2030 strategy come to life as it compels them to produce adaptive graduate. Prof Masha stated that they are embarking on international accreditation with a target of two years. “Our strategic intent is to provide cutting-edge business that will equip professionals with skills and knowledge needed to excel in the ever-evolving global business environment,” he shared.
The awards were attended by the Human Resource Manager, Bokang Molefe from eThekwini Municipality who asked DUT to be part of South Africa Board for People Practices (SABPP). He also mentioned the reason why they chose students from DUT it because of the quality they produce.
Luyanda Mhlongo shared her experience as one of student who did WIL last year. Mhlongo mentioned her first day at RCL foods was hard but when the weeks went by, she started enjoying the work. She explained that her team was welcoming, making sure that she learnt everything. She is currently doing her internship at RCL. She mentioned that she was not aware of excel but she also saw the importance of learning how to use excel because most companies used it. She is also learning presentation skills and people management.
A lecturer, Mercillene Mathews announced the company awards which were eThekwini Municipality (Parks and Recreation) and eThekwini district office (Highway House), Lungelo Youth Development, St Augustine Hospital, Parklands Hospital, Conlog Solution, Kwa-Mashu Advancement Projects (K-Cap), DUT Research Office: MGT science, R K Khan hospital, Sandrocks Austrak Shipyard, Addington Hospital, Mbongolwane Hospital, Prince Mshiyeni Hospital, Wildtrust, DUT TENUSA, Umphumulo Hospital, RCL Foods, EGSIBIT and DUT Faculty of Management Sciences.
She also announced the mentor’s awards which were Bokang Molefe, Phumelele Mbanjwa, Zuma Bulose, Zimkhitha Ntutu, Fikile Malinga, Lihle Sishi, Maestro Mlungisi Mncibi, Mandla Memela, Caren Khan, Philani Khomo, Ahmed Ashruf, Phindile Mhlongo, Phindi Mhlongo, Lindiwe Zwane, Sipho Mdleko, Thobeka Mhlongo, Mandisa Khathi, Wendy Dunn, Shamilla Govender, Lungelo Shandu, Nancy Naidoo, Thobeka Ximba, and Mfanafuthi Sibiya.
Thobeka Mhlongo, a Human Resources Development Practitioner at Mbongolwane Hospital, expressed her excitement towards DUT. She also mentioned that they were not aware that they would receive the certificate of appreciation.
Lecturer from Human Resources Management, Baphiwe Daweti, also thanked the special guest, Karin Young, for delivering a powerful speech. He recognised all the alumni who were present at the awards. He expressed appreciation for Bokang Molefe, who had maintained solid relationships with the department. Daweti noted that Molefe had taught and mentored graduates in the industry. He also extended his gratitude to all the partners and friends of the department from both private and public sectors. He concluded by thanking the mentors who had opened their workplaces and offered the graduates valuable work experience.
Pictured: Mentors from private and public sectors who received their certificate of appreciation along with Professor Melanie Lourens.
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
