The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Business School was honoured with the Golden Arrow Award at the 2025 Professional Market Research (PMR) Africa Excellence Awards. This prestigious ceremony aimed at celebrating excellence in various industries, was recently held at the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel in Durban.
The DUT Business School was recognised after PMR.africa (a South African research-based publication and consultancy that celebrates excellence in various industries through its annual awards) completed its annual national survey, assessing accredited business schools offering the Master in Business Administration (MBA) degrees in South Africa. This was a positive achievement, showcasing DUT’s commitment to the ENVISION2030 strategy, which strives to see its people being ‘entrepreneurial and innovative’, as well as ‘participating productively in the development of our region, country and the world.’
The survey was conducted over a three month period from March to May 2025, where 300 respondents comprising of human resource directors/managers and line managers rated the DUT Business School MBA graduates and students in the workplace across 20 attributes. Some of the attributes used in the rating consisted of academic knowledge, application of knowledge in the workplace, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial skills/capacity/abilities, future orientated, innovation and strategic management.
The DUT Business School flagship programme, the Master in Business Administration (MBA) commenced in 2021. Besides the MBA programme, the DUT Business School also offers a variety of Postgraduate Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and various Higher Certificates. Its curriculum is focused on applied business which will enable leaders to solve real life problems that contribute to socio-economic transformation.
According to Mrs Zinhle Zungu-Rashee, Head of Marketing and Communications at the DUT Business School, the PMR Africa Awards aim to recognise excellence across various industries and sectors by celebrating institutions and organisations that demonstrate outstanding performance and impact. She said these awards also serve as a benchmark, inspiring others to strive for excellence and continuous improvement.
Sharing his excitement on this accolade, Professor Pfano Mashau, Director of the DUT Business School said: “The Golden Arrow Award signifies the DUT Business School’s rapid growth and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality postgraduate business education in South Africa and beyond. This award is a reflection of the collective dedication, strategic vision, and hard work of the DUT Business School team.”
In addition, Prof Mashau said they are honoured to be recognised among South Africa’s top business schools and remain committed to empowering future leaders through innovative, inclusive, and socially responsive education. He believes the award is an indication of industry perceptions and expectations of the DUT Business School; saying the school notes the areas requiring improvement to maintain and improve the quality of service.
Pictured: DUT Business School staff, Londiwe Gumede (Secretary), Professor Simphiwe Nojiyeza (Senior Lecture and Head: Research and Innovation), Zinhle Zungu – Rashee (Head: Marketing and Communications).
Simangele Zuma
