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. S’bonelo Dlamini, DUT Communication’s team member, recently engaged with the DUT Hockey star, Nkazimulo Gumede to share his student experience through sports and academics and how he lives the DUT Living Values.
Name: Nkazimulo Gumede
Place of birth: Amanzimtoti
Sport code: Hockey
Qualification: Bachelor in Sport Science and Management
Q: When did you join the DUT sport team?
A: “I joined in February this year.”
Q: What sparked your interest in this type of sport?
A: “My friends are the main reason I play hockey, because they were hockey players and they had asked me to come play for DUT.”
Q: In terms of the position you play, elaborate what is entails and how it benefits the team?
A: “I play striker and as a striker you need a high work ethic for when you press the opposing team’s defenders. You also need to be a clean striker of the ball so that when you shoot your shots they are more accurate. You also need to understand how to position yourself in the field so that your teammates are able to find you easier on the field.”
Q: Which other sport codes are you interested in and why?
A: “I like cricket mainly because my older brother and I were huge cricket fans and we would play it in the front yard as kids.”
Q: What is the biggest tournament you have participated in?
A: “The USSA’s is the biggest tournament that I have participated in.”
Q: Why is it vital for DUT to develop students in sport?
A: “It’s vital to develop students in sport so that DUT has a positive reputation. The aim is to showcase to high school learners that DUT is a reasonable option to help further develop them in the field of sports.”
Q: Who is your role model and why?
A: “My dad is my role model because he constantly reminds me of the value of sacrifice in order to achieve long term goals.”
Q: Which ENVISION2030 living values and principles do you associate with and why?
A: “It is accountability because I’m a big believer in taking control of your life and if you want to grow not just in sport but in life in general.”
Q: Do you see a future in Hockey?
A: “Yes I do.”
Q: As a DUT star how does your role benefit your community?
A: “I don’t see myself as a star to be honest so it’s hard to say how my role has benefitted my community.”
Q: What impact has sport made on your life?
A: “Sport has helped me understand that if you want to achieve whatever goals you set for yourself you have to constantly be working on it every day.”
Q: Can you suggest some ideas to attract spectators to varsity sports?
A: “We can look at host the matches for the various sports close to campus and to provide transport to those matches at a reasonable cost, making it easily accessible for the students to attend.”
