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 Nokwanda Mshengu, secretary at the Department of Ecotourism.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I am currently a secretary for the Ecotourism department and take care of all administrative duties and students queries.”

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

A: “I have been at DUT for one year and seven months.”

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

A: “Almost all the values associate with me but the most considerable will be honesty and accountability because at the end of the day students need me to be as honest about the departmental decisions made, and to also account on what the department does.”

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

A: “The DUT community needs people to leave a map and with the tagline, we are trained to be what society needs and also to make an impact through the current tagline.”

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

A: “With the impact of the tagline I’m willing to show students that through the current tagline and living values a lot can be done.”

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

A: “I’m a loving person who is open and I hope to see greatness of all through the DUT living values and hope for success for all through hard work.”

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

A: “The framework will help groom graduates that will fit into society and will be able to uphold whatever circumstances that they will face in the future.”

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

A: “I am a person who loves to spend time with my family and friends. I also enjoy sports and keeping myself busy with people close to me.”

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

A: “I try to show colleagues and students that umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, meaning that we need each other to grow. So, to survive in the working place or just in life generally, we need each other to grow.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?

A: “Take each day as it comes with new motivations.”

Q: What are your future goals at DUT?

A: “I intend to study further and maybe one day become a PHD graduate within the institution.”

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

A: “To be the best of what God had wanted me to be.”