In a celebration brimming with purpose, pride, and entrepreneurial promise, the Advancement and Alumni Relations Unit (AARU) hosted the AlumBiz Breakfast Awards on 2 June 2025 at the elegant Riverside Hotel and Conference Centre. This signature event honoured 14 deserving DUT alumni entrepreneurs whose tenacity and vision continue to contribute meaningfully to both the university community and broader society.
The morning opened with a warm welcome from Zwakele Ngubane, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, who set the tone for the event by reaffirming the unit’s commitment to fostering alumni-driven innovation and sustainable enterprise. The AlumBiz Fund, spearheaded by AARU, reflects DUT’s ENVISION2030 aspirations creating impact and advancing society through nurturing changemakers from within its own graduate community.
Adding a compelling layer of inspiration to the event, guest speaker Sihle Sibisi, a pioneering alum and recipient of the first-ever AlumBiz Fund, took to the stage to share his transformative journey. He recounted his recent trip to China, where he collaborated with manufacturers to design fully customisable, student-friendly bags—a dream made possible through the AlumBiz Fund. His story resonated deeply with attendees, not just as a tale of personal success, but as a reflection of the power of belief and mentorship. Sibisi extended heartfelt appreciation to Ronelle Lyson, Alumni Relations Coordinator, whose support helped turn his vision into reality.
Lyson provided a thorough overview of the AlumBiz Fund, highlighting its origin, mission, and far-reaching impact. What began as a seed of an idea to assist entrepreneurial alumni has now grown into a powerful movement, supporting small business development and empowering graduates to become job creators.
The heart of the morning unfolded with the highly anticipated Awards Handover Ceremony, during which 14 alumni were formally recognised and received business support vouchers to further develop their enterprises. Their names were proudly announced by Sakhile Sithole, AARU Intern, as Zwakele Ngubane and Dr Pinky Ntola, Acting Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation at DUT, presented the awards. The room buzzed with joy and renewed purpose as each recipient stepped forward, symbolising a new chapter in their business journey.
The event closed on a graceful note with a vote of thanks by Nishie Govender, Fundraising and Alumni Relations Manager, who acknowledged the collaborative efforts behind the initiative and reinforced the university’s dedication to nurturing alumni talent and resilience.
The AlumBiz Breakfast Awards was more than just an occasion; it was a celebration of potential turned into progress. As DUT continues to pave the way for its alumni to thrive in a challenging economic landscape, this gathering affirmed the power of investing in people, and the immeasurable value of homegrown innovation.
Pictured: Attendees at the AlumBiz Breakfast Awards.
Swelihle Shoba
