The DUT Department of Food and Nutrition Consumer Science hosted its annual award ceremony where students who have done well academically and in their practical work were honoured for their success.

The ceremony, held on Thursday last week had a different set of categories, one being the Toastmaster’s Speech in which second-year students were tasked with writing a toastmaster’s speech for a prize.

Food and Nutrition Head of Department Susan Vermeer urged students to live life with passion and a great sense of determination.

Quoting Dr David Mulapo; Management Consultant, educator and renowned motivational speaker, Vermeer told students to know what they to achieve and to go for it with single-minded determination. This message reminded Vermeer of DUT alumnus and Master Chef judge Benny Masekwameng.

“Benny is an example of passion makes perfect”, she said.
Nokuthula Nyembe won the Toastmaster’s Speech award. Sharing her winning speech, Nyembe challenged women to do what they love and to never fear failure, making an example of South Africa’s most successful and influential women such as businesswoman Basetsana Khumalo, DA Leader Helen Zille and Oscar winner Charlize Theron.

DUT Food Service Management graduate Solomzi Buzo who now works as a Sales Consultant at Vulcan Caars; the company that sponsored the prize for the Best Business Plan said he was amazed by the ideas students had came up with in their business plans.

Vermeer thanked all the sponsors for their generosity, also extending her appreciation to fellow staff members who worked tirelessly throughout the year. “Your dedication and commitment to our students; from National Diploma to Doctoral level, is amazing. We have a great team in one of the few female only academic departments at DUT”, she said.

–Nomvula Sikakane
Caption: All the awardees at the Food and Nutrition Consumer Sciences Annual Award Ceremony held last week.