Durban University of Technology (DUT) officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, which comprises five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are underpinned by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT Communications team member, Vukani Langa recently engaged with Dr Lisebo Mothepu, a Lecturer and Researcher in Consumer Science in the Department of Food and Nutrition.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “My role is multifaceted, blending academic teaching, transformative curriculum development, and community-engaged research.”

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

A: “I have been part of the DUT family for 17 years. I started as a student pursuing my Diploma, then BTech, Master’s degree, PhD before becoming a lecturer.”

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

A: “I strongly resonate with excellence. My role blends visionary innovation with the pursuit of excellence. I transform knowledge into practical, equitable solutions. This aligns perfectly with ENVISION2030’s call to create sustainable, inclusive futures.”

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

A: “It resonates deeply with my academic and community-engaged journey. Creativity reflects the innovative approaches I bring to decolonising food science education and integrating African food knowledge systems into the curriculum. Distinctiveness speaks to DUT’s unique identity as a university rooted in African contexts yet globally relevant, and it mirrors my commitment to advancing scholarship that is culturally grounded and socially conscious. The tagline embodies DUT’s vision and affirm the transformative role we play in shaping knowledge and society.”

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

A: “I plan to keep abreast of the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework by embedding its principles into my daily academic, research, and community practices. This means continuously engaging with DUT’s strategic documents, participating in institutional dialogues, and aligning my teaching and supervision with creativity, distinctiveness, and impact.”

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

A: “Beyond my academic and research commitments, I am deeply passionate about creative facilitation and group cohesion. I enjoy designing participatory retreats and workshops that use storytelling, cultural expression, and collaborative exercises to build trust and inspire collective vision.”

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

A: “The ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework will benefit DUT by providing a clear compass for how we teach, research, and engage with society. It ensures that our work is not only academically rigorous but also aligned with the DUT values and principles.”

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

A: “In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and experimenting with traditional African grains like sorghum and millet. It is both a creative outlet and a way of reconnecting with heritage outside of research. I also love gardening, nurturing plants reminds me of the patience and care needed in education and community work.”

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

A: “By advancing curriculum transformation that is culturally relevant and rooted in African knowledge systems, particularly in food and nutrition. Through my teaching, I aim to inspire students to think critically and innovatively, equipping them with skills that address real-world challenges in food security and community empowerment.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “My daily motivation comes from knowing that the work I do has the potential to transform lives. Whether it is through teaching students, conducting research on African grain systems, or engaging with communities on food security, I am driven by the vision of creating knowledge that is both culturally relevant and socially impactful.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?  

A: “My future goals at DUT are centred on advancing curriculum transformation that is culturally relevant and rooted in African knowledge systems. I aim to strengthen research on African grains and food sovereignty, ensuring that our scholarship contributes to both academic excellence and community empowerment. I also aim to mentor and develop the next generation of scholars, equipping students with the skills and confidence to become leaders in nutrition and consumer science.”

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

A: “My wish would be to see communities across Africa achieve true food sovereignty where every household has access to nutritious, culturally relevant food produced sustainably from our own indigenous systems. That wish reflects my deepest motivation: to ensure that knowledge, research, and education translate into dignity, empowerment, and resilience for generations to come.”