The Durban University of Technology (DUT) 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, Zanele Mashaba spoke to Manteria Ntuli, Computer Technician from DUT School of Education under the Faculty of Arts and Design.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I assist students and lecturers with Information Technology (IT) related issues, this includes fixing laptops or computers, connecting to the DUT domain and I participate in events that take place on the Indumiso Campus.”

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

A: “I started at DUT as a student in 2008 until 2011. Fortunately, in 2020, I was hired by the School of Education, who had a vacancy for a Computer Technician.”

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

A: “I mostly associate with Integrity because if a person has Integrity, then it is easy for them to take accountability and bring professionalism to what they are doing.”

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

A: “The tagline reveals DUT in its true nature. There is innobiz that supports student entrepreneurs and helps a lot in the creation of companies. It is something that has a very positive impact on the society that we live in, as these days, South Africa’s economy is not doing well. Small businesses are what will help boost our country’s economy.”

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

A: “By making sure that all the work I do, I do it in an honest way and I am dedicated to what I do. Each job we do has its own way of being done and its policies, so I stick to the policies.”

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

A: “I think I’m an open book, what you see is what you get.”

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

A: “If they are properly executed, these values will attract more clientele or valuable customers.”

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

A: “I like to socialise with my children and teach them to live a positive lifestyle. Since they love football, I normally take them to the stadium, so that they can watch the footballers in action.”

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

A: “By making sure that this campus that I’m currently in, is fully resourced with technology and to ensure that it is up to date, since we are a University of Technology. For me, it is to try to help those who are technologically wounded, so that they can learn how to use the available technology.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?

A: “Work while you are still able to do so because life is fragile.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?

A: “I want to be a good, reliable person for everyone on and off our DUT campuses. I would like that when the time comes for me to leave DUT, I would have contributed to the implementation and the success of the ENVISION2030 strategy.”

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

A: “I would like to see DUT have a campus that teaches skills only, one that can help those people who cannot qualify to study for a degree and for an easy way for those students to register.”