A culture of academic achievement, professional excellence and continuous development took centre stage at the Department of Applied Management in the Midlands’ 2026 Student Excellence Awards, held recently at the Golden Horse Hotel in Pietermaritzburg.
The ceremony brought together students and staff from Public Relations Management, Human Resources Management and Business Administration to celebrate outstanding academic performance, leadership and contributions to the department. Staff members who recently completed their PhDs were also recognised, highlighting the department’s commitment to continuous academic and professional development in line with the ENVISION2030 Values Framework.
Among those attending were guest speakers Dr Khonzile Mthiyane, Intergovernmental Relations Manager at uMlalazi Local Municipality, and Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, Centre Manager at the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, alongside staff and students from the department.
The programme, directed by Mrs Lethukuthula Hadebe and Mr Hlanganani Shange, opened with remarks from Head of Department Professor Bongani Dlamini, who described the occasion as a celebration not only of individual achievement, but of the collective effort behind student success.
Prof Dlamini said the decision to recognise students and staff at the same event reflected the department’s belief that excellence is built through collaboration.
“When a student succeeds, behind that success there is usually a story of a lecturer who went the extra mile, a tutor who helped explain a difficult concept, a class representative who helped resolve a misunderstanding, an administrator who made things happen, and a parent who kept the student going,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Mthiyane challenged the award recipients to view excellence as an ongoing commitment rather than a once-off achievement. Drawing on her experience as an academic researcher, editor and research supervisor, she identified time management, discipline, hard work and consistency as four key pillars of excellence.
“To the award recipients, celebrate this achievement…and remember that the greatest reward is not the certificate in your hands but the character, the habits, and the discipline you have developed along the way. Take those qualities beyond this university and apply them to your careers, leadership, your families, and communities,” said Dr Mthiyane.
She encouraged students to make excellence a daily standard and to carry the habits developed during their studies into their professional and personal lives.
The staff recognition reflected the breadth of work taking place within the department. Mrs Elaine Giddings received the Outstanding Service to the Department Award, while Dr Lungelo Funeka was recognised for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and Academic Leadership Excellence.
Mr Hlanganani Shange received the Academic Leadership Excellence, Student Success Champion and Research Publication Award – Second Place. Dr Happiness Anusi took first place in the Research Publication Award, while Dr Sijuwade Adedayo Ogunsola received the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award and second place in the Research Publication Award.
Recognition was also given to staff members for academic leadership, teaching and learning, community engagement, curriculum innovation, internationalisation, industry partnerships and digital transformation.
Mr Emmanuel Lawa received the Academic Leadership Excellence Award. Dr Thembisa Mjwacu received the Teaching and Learning and Community Engagement Excellence Awards, while Mrs Tabisa Qangule was recognised for Innovative Curricula and Community Engagement Excellence. Ms Kitty Mthabela received the Community Engagement Excellence Award.
Ms Lethukuthula Hadebe received the Industry Partnership Award, while Professor Obianuju Okeke-Uzodike was recognised for Academic Leadership Excellence, Academic Mentorship and Excellence in Internationalisation. Ms Lorna McCullough also received the Excellence in Internationalisation Award, while Mr Nyane Mofokeng received the Digital Transformation Champion Award.
Dr Funeka and Dr Mjwacu were further recognised for completing their doctoral degrees in 2025.
The focus then shifted to student achievement, with the top three students in each specialisation, from first-year to postgraduate level, recognised for their academic performance.
Certificates of Excellence for achieving first place overall at their respective levels were awarded to Sibusiso Mkhwanazi in first year, Lindelwa Masuku in second year, Asanda Ntsele in third year, Issabu Bwanali in the Advanced Diploma and Sanele Mkhize in the Postgraduate Diploma.
SRC Secretary Mr Samkelo Ngubo was also recognised with a Certificate of Excellence for his dedication to his studies and outstanding academic performance in the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Happiness Anusi, who expressed appreciation to the staff, students, guests and everyone who contributed to the success of the event.
The awards ceremony served as a reminder that academic excellence extends beyond individual results. It is strengthened by dedicated educators, supportive communities and students who remain committed to their growth and development.
Pictured: Staff and students recognised at the Department of Applied Management 2026 Student Excellence Awards.
Photos: Supplied.
Thulasizwe Nkomo
