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 Communications team member, Vukani Langa recently engaged in a conversation with Mr Siphesihle Mthethwa, a lecturer for Electrical Technology (level 1 – 3) at the School of Education, Indumiso campus in Midlands and Residence Advisor to delve into the living values framework and ENVISION2030.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I have four primary roles at DUT, A lecturer for Electrical Technology (level 1 – 3) at the School of Education, Indumiso campus, Residence Advisor for York + 1Poland Cluster residences, a founder of PAT Administration program (community outreach project), which won the PBL & DT in 2024 & 2025 project funding worth R150 000.’’
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I have been a member of the DUT family for six years as an undergraduate student (2012, 2015 – 2018), Post graduate student since 2019 till present, and a DUT staff member since 2023 till present. I guess I took the “dut4life” part of my student email literally.’’
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “I would say, I associate with all, as they are equally important and none can be left behind and I embed them in my daily life within DUT and outside DUT. They cannot be broken down and some be left and this is why I say this, my work as lecturer is transparent to both my students, colleagues and my line manager.”
Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative. Distinctive. Impactful?
A: “DUT is a university of technology; with that said, it means we are solution-driven, and to produce solutions, one needs to be creative. A challenge may have many solutions, but the one that stands out (distinctive) is always the best solution, and it is the one that will make a lasting impact on one, on one’s family and community. I would like to believe that DUT envisions by 2030, to produce graduates who will find creative ways to be employable or create employment. For their distinctive nature, which is driven by the lived values for a great impact on future employers are impactful contribution to the job creation, and means of eradication of poverty.’’
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “By simply applying them in my everyday life as a s lecturer (infuse them in my lectures), an RA (infuse them in my residence programs), and a student (follow them as I expect my students to follow them).”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “I am inspired by Professor Majozi (DVC: Research and Internationalisation, UCT), at one stage, I wanted to be a chemical engineer. Despite my artistic nature, I loved science because of him, and it was a great honour to go to the same high school as him. My academic pursuits are inspired by him.’’
Q: In your opinion, how will the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “Sponsors and funders will be attracted to work with DUT and fund their projects. Sister universities are likely to benchmark with DUT to strengthen themselves. DUT’s research outputs are most likely to be Creative, Distinctive, and Impactful to the body of knowledge.’’
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “In my spare time, I sleep. When I am awake, I am always doing something or attending to something, or rushing somewhere.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “Through contribution to the body of knowledge (research), producing teachers who will go make an impact in the schools they are going to teach, and find creative ways to carry out practical work when they get employed in schools with very limited to no technical resources. To do community engagement projects and do my due diligence in my work as a lecturer, do continuous self and professional development.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “The secret of finding happiness in this world is not to do what you like, but to learn to like what you have to do. This is a writing that I read everyday when I was in high school, it had kept me going till this day.’’
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “Finish my current qualification. Publish at least four papers a year. Supervise postgraduate students. Expand my PAT Administration Project. Become a professor by age of 46.’’
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “Have my kids accompany me to the stage on my graduation day.”
