Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently approved the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework. The five values are identified as transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. The principles espoused are fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT’s Communications team, Lethukuthula Sifiso Ngubane and Nomvelo Zulu spoke to Samkelisiwe Dlamini; Library Assistant: Circulation at the Alan Pittendrigh Library, Steve Biko Campus.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT? 

A: “ I am a library assistant; I am responsible for assisting with the administration and organisation of a library. My role includes helping library visitors to find the right reference materials, processing inter-library loans and signing up visitors for their own library card.”

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

A: “ I have been with DUT for 11 years.”

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

A: “I fully associate with all the ENVISION2030 Values and Principles but transparency stands out for me since I am a person who does not hide or conceal anything.”

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

A: “I believe that the new DUT tagline will have a great contribution towards the university’s growth and build a competitive advantage.”

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

A: “ By making sure that everything I do has a great impact towards other people and the organisation; and to also commit myself to the ENVISION2023 Living Values Framework.”

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

A: “The university will attract more sponsors and students. In future the university will produce more entrepreneurial and innovative graduates.”

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

A: “I like reading books, currently I am reading the book called: The Beloved Mashenge.”

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

A: “To come up with more marketing strategies that will help attract students to make use of the library. I also hope to meaningfully contribute in creating an environment that allows students to understand the importance of the library because I believe when people make use of the library, they become more informative.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “My family, and to assist students because I like to see them grow and become independent.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT? 

A: “To study further and grow career wise, also to come up with new marketing strategies in order to attract more students to seek assistance at the library.

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

A: “To build a library for my community since there is no library. My other wish is to make students understand the importance of the library.”