The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Department of Public Relations Management celebrated its top achievers at the Annual Student Excellence Awards Ceremony, held at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel on 18 November 2025.
The programme was coordinated by the department lecturers, Dr Venencia Nyambuya and Ms Nisha Ramlutchman. The event aimed to recognise students’ outstanding academic performances, leadership abilities, and impressive efforts in community engagement and entrepreneurial skills through their participation in the Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking initiatives. The department also gave certificates of appreciation to its staff members and the support staff from the Faculty of Management Sciences for their role in assisting the department.
The ceremony kicked off with a welcome address by Associate Professor and Head of Department, Professor Veena Rawjee. She said the awards and recognition are a way of encouraging good behaviour and inculcating a competitive spirit and motivating the continuity of success.
“Our mantra in the department is to see our students become economically active, whether you are in first year, second year, or third year, or you are exiting the system. We want you to be able to earn an income for yourself, and we want you to use your education as a stepping-stone to better your lives and live a quality life.” Prof Rawjee said.
Guest Speaker Nomzamo Zulu, a staff member in the Department of Public Relations Management, delivered an inspiring speech about her academic journey. Coming from the villages of Jozini in northern KwaZulu-Natal to Durban, where she earned her Diploma in Public Relations and pursued postgraduate studies and tutoring, she eventually became a master’s student and an intern in the department.
Zulu, through her commendable commitment to excellence, travelled to the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) in China through the DUT Confucius Institute (DUT CI) with the assistance of the department. Motivating students, she said: “Your journey is yours alone, don’t compare your pace to anyone else, growth looks different for everyone.”
The programme included presentations from the group of students who participated in the Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking projects. The awards were received by the Top 3 Achievers across all levels, including those who recently graduated for Master’s and Doctoral studies. These were determined by adding up all the results from each module.
The top performer in level one was Faneludumo Hlangwane, level two was Esethu Kalaza, and level three was tied between Luke Pillay and Siphokazi Mngobhozi. In the Advanced Diploma, the top performer was Minenhle Zwane with the Research Methodology award, tied between Nobuhle Mayoyo and Agreepathra Makgope. For the Postgraduate Diploma, both the top performer and the research award went to Tamia Colbeck. To close off the exciting afternoon, Dr Nyambuya expressed her gratitude on behalf of the department and thanked everyone for their presence and participation in making the event a success.
Pictured: Attendees at the at the Annual Student Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Thulasizwe Nkomo
