Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Dr Vuyo Mthethwa in partnership with the Division of Corporate Affairs hosted a Secretary’s Day Celebration at the DUT Hotel School on Wednesday, 21 September 2022.
The event was held to give thanks and honour the hard work of secretaries and personal assistants who have long been under-appreciated.
The Programme Director of the event was DUT Communications Manager, Ms Noxolo Memela who thanked all the esteemed DUT guests for coming to the occasion and appreciated each and every person, especially acknowledging the staff from the Midlands campuses.
“I would also like to give thanks to Dr Mthethwa for giving us the opportunity and for caring for the face of our offices. We appreciate you and we appreciate everyone who had organised this day,” she said jubilantly.
Giving the welcome speech was the dynamic Dr Mthethwa who gave thanks for being given the opportunity to be at this prestigious function.
“I’m hoping that as we start to celebrate you, this celebration will be a continuous celebration at the University because without you nothing moves. This is an event of the year for me, like in a wedding you plan how best you can dress, despite the weather. As you can see I have worn my fascinator as that was the plan, so for me this occasion was an event not too be missed and most significant in the DUT calendar. For me, the event is like Top Billing. A special thanks to Jabu Mavundla, Noxolo Memela, Vasantha Govender for making this happen,” she said.
Dr Mthethwa gave praise to her personal assistant, Mandy Brown who had ensured that her presence at the event was of the highest priority. She further explained that engagements like these can only materialise if everything is in order and everything ‘behind the scenes’ are done.
“Today is the most significant day because I too cannot be standing in front of you if it was not for my personal assistant, Mandy and all others that have been behind the scenes for me to be at the function,” she added.
Dr Mthethwa was recently in London and had a choice to be part of history and attend the Queen’s funeral but she chose not to do so as being at this event, as well as dressing the part with her fascinator was much more important than the Queen’s funeral.
“In essence, if you are at the front end which is what you are, you know what to do. What I have always asked from the personal assistants that have supported me is to ‘have my back’. I want to applaud you all for having your bosses back,” commented Dr Mthethwa.
Pictured: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Dr Vuyo Mthethwa.
She conveyed that she is respecting and congratulating everyone for their resilience for when times are tough.
“For being well-organised, multi-skilling, tech savvy, transparent, forthright in a very respectful way. Behaving in an ethical way, delivering on your commitments, accountability for your actions. emotional intelligence, meticulous, proactive and going beyond the call of duty. I really hope that those of you who have not completely accomplished what I have listed now in your daily actions, you take the leaf from those who have. I am definitely sure that people in this room have,” she expressed.
Her parting shot to all attendees was when the going gets tough one must just smile and wave and everything is going to be ok.
Manager: Fundraising and Alumni Relations in the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Ms Nishie Govender gave the introduction of the guest speaker, President: DUT Convocation, Ms Zama Mncube.
She relayed that Ms Mncube, a product of DUT, obtained her National Diploma in Office Management and Technology in 2016. She conveyed that she then went on to complete her Bachelor of Technology degree in Office Management and Technology in 2018.
“She is currently studying towards her Master’s Degree in Management Sciences. Her research topic is entitled, Repurposing the job profile of Administrators in DUT in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
Govender made mention that Ms Mncube served as the SRC Deputy Secretary General from 2015 to 2016 as well as served as the first female SRC President for two terms, having been elected in 2016.
“Ms Mncube is currently employed as a Liaison Officer, Economic Development and Planning, at the eThekwini Municipality. She was previously employed as a lecturer and WIL coordinator at the Information and Corporate Department, here at DUT. She has recently been elected as president of the DUT Convocation at the Special Convocation AGM held in April 2022. Her address will focus on her career path and self-development,” she added.
The guest speaker, Ms Mncube spoke at length about the importance of self-development. She acknowledged the secretaries for their dedication to their work, saying they are often overworked leading to them not getting an opportunity to study further.
Mncube advised the secretaries to be easy on themselves and always take breaks when they feel they cannot cope anymore, to avoid health complications that might lead them to depression. She pointed out that her experience with the secretaries at DUT has always been pleasant because she always treated them with respect which then resulted to her getting the respect and assistance she required. She warned some of the secretaries with good hearted bosses to never take advantage of them.
Referring to her current research titled: Repurposing the job profile of Administrators in DUT in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Mncube encouraged the secretaries to strive towards enhancing their skills and to not resist change.
Giving a response on behalf of the secretaries was Executive Secretary: Dean of Students, Ms Thulile Duma.
Ms Duma expressed her appreciation to her colleagues for being the forces that bring together their departments or divisions. She reminded them to take their profession seriously and remember that they are the face of their department, therefore they should always be presentable.
A lucky draw was then held with beautiful gift hampers that were won by some of the lucky attendees.
The vote of thanks and closing remarks was concluded by Ms Memela who thanked Dr Mthethwa and all the DUT staff members who ensured that the event is a huge success.
Pictured: Attendees at the Secretary’s Day Celebration.
Pictured: Programme Director of the event, Communications Manager, Ms Noxolo Memela.
Photographer: Vusi Dlamini
Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters
