The prestigious Donor Recognition Event was recently held at the Durban Exhibition Centre and on Microsoft Teams in a hybrid event.

The donors present at the event were DUT staff, Ms Sphumelele Yende, Ms Pam Nene from (SA Homeloans), Dr Mahmoud Youssef-Baker (Iqraa Trust), Mr Philani Mbela (Afrox), Mr Mduduzi, Mrs Lesego Nzimande (alumni), Suresh Mohanlal from Ikhwezi Bus Services. Alumnus and donor, Mr Chris Djuma, Zothini Ndimande (alumni), and Siphosihle Shange, a bursary recipient.

Giving the official welcome to all the attendees to the Donor Recognition luncheon was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, Professor Sibusiso Moyo who said that as a University there are a lot of students and the biggest challenge is around being able to afford higher education.

“With COVID-19 starting between 2020 and 2021, we’ve had a number of challenges in that area, and generally a lot of DUT students depend on NSFAS loans and also the bursaries. So, I really want to thank all of you who attended this session to just help us celebrate and recognise your contribution,” she said.

She also sent a warm welcome and thank you to donor, Dr Baker from Iqraa Trust, a member of the DUT Foundation who was in attendance at the hybrid event.

She thanked him for working with DUT in the critical research focus areas, the renewable energy area, also the school engagement programme and supporting DUT students as well. She further acknowledged Ms Sphumelele Yende from South African Homeloans for the support given to DUT. Mr Philani Mbela from Afrox, Suresh Mohanlal from Ikhwezi Bus Services. Ms Nyasha Njela from the Feenix Foundation who has been supporting DUT also over some years.

“So there are many other donors among staff and students who’ve been contributing and I know some people don’t like to be mentioned by name and we are not able to mention everybody, but I want to really recognise the efforts that you contribute to the University towards third stream income,” said Prof Moyo.

She then shared some of the work which the University is doing and how it is putting the funds that are given to the institution to good use. Prof Moyo made mention that for 2020, 1648 students were supported in terms of financial support and this came from various initiatives within the university, such as government subsidy, initiatives by individuals by different faculties, different deans and individuals outside in the support unit. She relayed that just by the support side who were able to donate this year, DUT was able to contribute in total to 87 million rand to support DUT students which deserves recognition.

Prof Moyo spoke on her presentation titled: Research and Entrepreneurship Impact and Possible Areas for Further Collaboration forming Relevant Collaborations and Partnerships, she relayed that the 2021 data shows that 95% of DUT students are postgraduate students. She indicated that currently the total number of postgraduate students is at 1825, with 675 academics, and that the aim is for DUT teaching staff to have a PhD as a minimum qualification because that helps to increase DUT’s capacity for student supervision as well as research and innovation.

She chatted on the six faculties and mentioned that it’s because of the donors’ contribution that this makes an impact on the DUT’s global rankings and she spoke on the recently launched, supporting undergraduate research excellence where DUT is expecting its undergraduate students to also contribute to the research outcomes of the University.

Prof Moyo concluded the talk by acknowledging that 2020 and 2021 has been difficult years for many people due to COVID-19, and she prays that during this festive season that everyone will be protected and for families as well as globally that each and everyone of us fights the pandemic.

Zwakele Ngubane, Director: Advancement and Alumni Relations at DUT, spoke on the value of having compassion, and wanting to share and highlighted that the luncheon event is about recognising and expressing appreciation to those individuals who are willing and have been willing to contribute and support; and help those in need, who have been compassionate enough to find ways of assisting those who are in need; so that they may be able to overcome whatever challenges or adversities that they may be encountering.

He further added that it is a known fact that in South Africa, one of the key challenges is student funding.

“We really do appreciate and honour and value our donors who are contributing towards DUT, who are contributing towards ensuring that our students but not only just our students, because we have a variety of initiatives at DUT, but who are contributing towards ensuring that DUT and its people, including students, staff, and the communities we serve that they are able to receive the kind of support that they need to realise their dreams and make a better life for themselves,” he said.

Donor, Dr Baker then spoke briefly about the importance of philanthropic giving, saying that the pleasure of giving outweighs by far the pleasure of taking.

This was continued with the talk given by a graduate of DUT, Ms Zothini Ndimande, who is currently working at Adams Mission Public Library, under the eThekwini Municipality, and she spoke on the importance of alumni giving.

She mentioned that education is the most powerful weapon that one can use to change the world.

“It’s guaranteed to be a weapon to change the world, so by saying so, I encourage everyone who has the capacity to give to continue to do so,” she said.

Bursary recipient Mr Siphosihle Shange shared his thoughts on being one of the fortunate students who gained from this initiative, saying that he would like to say he would be forever grateful to have been given that opportunity by donors’ and what they have done for students to make a difference in their lives.

Mr Ngubane then mentioned all the donor recipients for awards for their contributions, expressing his appreciation and thanks to all the donors who have been contributing, and also encouraging those who have maybe participated, either virtually or are present who are not donating, to consider contributing.

“We will be engaging with you in various ways, in various platforms within the DUT community and externally, basically sharing the various ways in which you can contribute. As alluded by Dr Baker, giving doesn’t have to be financially, it can be time, it can be sharing your expertise. It can be sharing advise. It can be sharing guidance. We have an alumni mentorship programme for instance where we are linking up mentors with students and so even that is a form of giving back and paying it forward,” he said.

He once again thanked all the donors for their sterling contributions and support and thanked all those who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the event a success.

Pictured: Mr Zwakele Ngubane and Dr Mahmoud Youssef-Baker from Iqraa Trust, at the event.

Waheeda Peters