In appreciation of the collective efforts of staff and students in ensuring the success of the Best of the Best Marathon held on 02 March 2025, the Durban University of Technology (DUT), in partnership with the AmaRavens Athletics Club, hosted the 2025 Best of the Best Marathon Feedback Session at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson campus, on Tuesday, 15 April 2025.
The session was facilitated by Ms Phumzile Xulu, a Community Engagement Practitioner under the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, who also participated in the race for the first time. She indicated that the session was mainly about reflecting, evaluating and celebrating the successful event DUT hosted in collaboration with its partners.
Delivering the welcoming remarks, Mr Thabani Mhlongo, Senior Director of Real Estate Management at DUT said that as part of the DUT Living Values, they were given a mandate and resources by the university to host the marathon, it was time for them to account for it. Mhlongo, who is also a professional athlete under the DUT Athletics Club said that besides accounting for the resources used, they also needed to state whether the intended objectives were achieved.
“It is also important to recognise the brains behind this initiative from DUT as well as AmaRavens who came up with this unique proposition that people never thought would reach the light of the day. I was reminded of how many of such initiatives can be done where people sit in their own corners and think it cannot be done,” said Mhlongo.
He further stated that DUT as a university has the responsibility to teach the community, identify the gaps and close those gaps.
The Chairperson of AmaRavens Athletics Club, Mr Mthokozisi Khuzwayo expressed his gratitude to DUT for the partnership and for taking the 2025 Best of the Best Marathon to new heights. He commended Mr Steven Mkhize, Acting Director of Logistical Services at DUT for his dedication and hard work in bringing on board the DUT staff and students to make the event a success within a short space of time. Khuzwayo also shared his experiences of running which had transformed his life from being an overweight person to living a healthy lifestyle. Through sports he said that he could face any challenges thrown his way, encouraging the DUT community to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
A DUT Marketing Alumnus, Sphephelo Ndlovu who is a Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the AmaRavens Athletics Club delivered a detailed report on the partnership with DUT. He applauded DUT for contributing beyond the partnership by ensuring there were robust community engagements and a strong media presence. Ndlovu believes that through a co-partnership, next year’s marathon could be called DUT’s Best of the Best Marathon.
The various DUT units and departments as well as the media houses that made the event a success were recognised and given certificates of appreciation for their hard work.
Passing her congratulatory message was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at DUT, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa. She thanked Mr Mkhize for his patience and perseverance as his proposal for the marathon went through several approvals. She thanked him for initiating the partnership and appreciated Mr Mhlongo for supporting it.
The Real Estate Management team also handed over to Dr Mthethwa a large frame with the Best of the Best t-shirt as a token of appreciation for her visionary leadership.
In closing Mr Bongani Yengwa, DUT Sport Administration Manager thanked the DUT community and AmaRavens for delivering an exceptional marathon that put the DUT name out there. He is certain next year’s marathon will be bigger and better.
Pictured: Mr Steven Mkhize, Acting Director of Logistical Services at DUT, Mr Mthokozisi Khuzwayo, Chairperson of AmaRavens Athletics Club, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor People and Operations at DUT, Mr Bongani Yengwa, Sports Administration Manager at DUT and Mr Thabani Mhlongo, Senior Director of Real Estate Management at DUT.
Simangele Zuma
