Durban University of Technology (DUT) officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, comprising five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability. These values are underpinned by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion, and excellence. DUT Media Officer, Simangele Zuma recently engaged in a conversation with Thabiso “Moemish” Msomi, Assistant Laboratory Technicianat the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I work for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, serving as an Assistant Laboratory Technician. I help students and lecturers with technology hardware and software support. I also supervise open labs so they remain in proper condition. As a Master’s student in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), I stay updated on cutting-edge technology to enhance my support. Additionally, I lead the stand-up comedy club called DUT Comedy Society, promoting stand-up comedy and providing students with a creative platform to build self confidence and express themselves, aligning with DUT’s vision of being creative and impactful.”

Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?  

A: “I started my role as an Assistant Laboratory Technician in 2019, however I have spent over a decade on campus since I studied my diploma in IT at DUT.”

Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?  

A: “I mostly associate with integrity, as it aligns with my commitment to doing what is right, even when it’s challenging. In my role as an Assistant Laboratory Technician, I ensure that students and lecturers have reliable technical support by being honest about issues and solutions, maintaining fairness in how I allocate my time in the labs. As a leader in the DUT Comedy Society, I uphold integrity by fostering an inclusive environment where students feel safe to express their creativity, reflecting the principle of compassion.”

Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful? 

A: “I think it is a very powerful tagline, because it encourages creativeness which yield distinctiveness which usually yield high impact results. I also think DUT encourages creativity and distinctiveness by letting students solve practical real world problems.”

Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?  

A: “I integrate them on my daily task every single day, but I think it also helps that these values align with my values as a person.”

Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?  

A: “Besides having a strong interest in technology and stand-up comedy I play golf. I’m also good in the playstation Fifa game as a result my friends don’t want to play with me anymore.”

Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT? 

A: “I think it will benefit DUT in many ways because it enforces an organisational culture and it very clear and easy to memorise. On top of that if students that are produced by DUT hold on to these living values even after they have left DUT they will be have an advantage in business or working environment.”

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?  

A: “I socialise with my friends and family. I am blessed to be surrounded by ambitious and very funny people.”

Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?  

A: “There is a saying that say ‘life gets better when you get better’. I think the same applies for this organisation it will get better as us staff get better. I want to complete my masters and have my IT skills developed even more, by doing that our organisation will get better.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “I usually try not to take my self too seriously, just like my stand-up comedy stage name “Moemish Comedian”. I approach life the same way I do with mobile games where you keep aiming to go to the next level but if it doesn’t happen you don’t give up you just breath in breath out try to find out what went wrong and then try again.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT? 

A: “To be in better position where I can be even more useful.”

Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

A: “To be in a position where I can make a lot of people’s lives better.”