The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has adopted the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, centred around five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are supported by the key principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence. DUT Communications team member, Simangele Zuma, recently engaged in a conversation with Mr Samkelo Mtshali, Marketing Administrator at innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I am employed as a Marketing Administrator at the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In my role I am responsible for the dissemination of information about the Centre, promoting a positive public image, and increasing customer awareness through the creation of campaigns amongst other responsibilities.”

Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?

A: “I have been at DUT since August 2023, having previously spent eight years as a political journalist at Independent Media, with iconic newspapers such as the Daily News, The Mercury, and the Sunday Tribune.”

Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?

A:”I would say respect. I think respect is the basic foundation of a good human being, therefore if you have respect then automatically the other Living Values and Principles can be found in your character.”

Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful?

A: “I view the tagline as a clarion call to always be ideas driven and to tap into our creativity to bring about change in our society, to be boldly and unashamedly ourselves in a world that is so centred around conformity, and to leave a positive mark in all the spaces that we occupy.”

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “By simply being a good human being who truly exhibits transparency, respect, honesty, integrity, accountability, fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence. It is only through truly living these values in all aspects of our lives that we can achieve the upright society that we yearn for.”

Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?

A: “I am a private person, so I actually prefer people not knowing much about me.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “By producing upright men and women who serve with honesty, integrity, fairness, compassion and excellence.”

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: “I love sports, particularly football, so a lot of my spare time is spent watching local and European football with a group of friends who are equally as passionate as I am about the game. I am a diehard Orlando Pirates and Manchester United fan.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?

A: “Through serving diligently, honesty, integrity, fairness, compassion and excellence, in my designated role.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?

A: “Stay calm. Things always tend to get better.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?

A: “To use all opportunities available to improve myself, particularly academically.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

A: “I firmly believe in the adage that says : ‘The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed,’ so I wish to one day see a world free from the social construct that is poverty, a world in which everyone is satisfied with having what they need.”