Durban University of Technology (DUT) has officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, which is anchored in five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These values are further supported by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence.
DUT Communications team member Simangele Zuma recently engaged in a conversation with Mendy Sogoni, Student Library Assistant at the Alan Pittendrigh Library, Steve Biko Campus, to explore the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “My role involves assisting students and staff with accessing library resources, providing excellent customer service, helping users locate information, supporting information literacy, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the library. I enjoy creating a welcoming environment where students feel supported in their academic journey, just as I have been supported throughout mine.”
Q: How long have you been a member of the DUT family?
A: “I have been part of the DUT family for several years, first as a student and now as a Student Library Assistant at the Steve Biko Campus Library. During this time, DUT has become more than just a university to me, it has become a place where I have grown academically, professionally, and personally through both joyful and challenging experiences.”
Q: Amongst the mentioned ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles, which one do you mostly associate with and why?
A: “Commitment. My journey has not always been easy. My late mother worked tirelessly to ensure that I received a good education, but sadly, she passed away before she could see me graduate. Her sacrifices continue to inspire me every day. My father has also been my greatest supporter, working day and night to help me continue my postgraduate studies. Their sacrifices have taught me perseverance, gratitude, integrity, and the importance of never giving up, even when life becomes difficult.”
Q: What are your views on the DUT tagline: Creative, Distinctive, Impactful?
A: “I believe the tagline perfectly reflects the type of graduates and professionals that DUT aims to develop. It encourages us to think creatively, embrace our uniqueness, and make a meaningful impact wherever we go. I hope to embody these qualities through my work at the Steve Biko Campus Library and in my future career.”
Q: How are you planning to keep abreast with the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework?
A: “I plan to stay informed by participating in university activities, reading DUT newsletters and communications, attending workshops whenever possible, and applying the Living Values in my daily interactions with students, colleagues, and the wider DUT community.”
Q: What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: “Many people do not know the challenges behind my smile. Losing my mother before my graduation was one of the most difficult moments of my life, but instead of giving up, I chose to continue working hard because I know that is what she would have wanted. Her memory continues to motivate me to pursue my dreams with determination.”
Q: In your opinion, how does the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework benefit DUT?
A: “I believe the framework strengthens the DUT community by encouraging the Living Values. When students and staff live these values every day, the university becomes a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve their full potential.”
Q: How do you plan to make a positive impact at DUT?
A: “I plan to make a positive impact by providing excellent service to every student and staff member who visits the Steve Biko Campus Library. I want to create an environment where people feel welcomed, respected, and supported. I also hope that my story of perseverance will encourage other students to remain focused on their goals despite the challenges they may face.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “In my spare time, I enjoy reading, learning about new developments in information and technology, spending quality time with my family, and finding opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “My biggest motivation is my family. Every day, I strive to honour my late mother’s sacrifices and make my father proud for everything he continues to do for me. Their love, resilience, and belief in my potential remind me that every challenge is worth overcoming. I also remind myself that every step I take brings me closer to achieving the future they always dreamed for me.”
Q: What are your future goals at DUT?
A: “My immediate goal is to complete my current studies, Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science successfully and pursue a Master’s degree next year. I have been self-funded since my Advanced Diploma and have accumulated a DUT student loan, I hope to secure meaningful employment that will enable me to pay off my student debt and finance my postgraduate studies. In the long term, I would like to continue growing within higher education and make meaningful contributions to academic libraries and student development.”
Q: If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
A: “If I were granted one wish, it would be to secure a rewarding career that would allow me to fund my Master’s degree, settle my DUT student loan, support my father as he has supported me, and honour the sacrifices my late mother made to ensure I had access to education. Achieving that would mean fulfilling the dream that my parents worked so hard to make possible.”
