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 Publications Officer Waheeda Peters, recently engaged in a conversation with Ningi Khoza, an Acting Administrator at Co-Operative Education unit, to delve deeper into the Living Values Framework and ENVISION2030.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?

A: “I work as an Acting Administrator at Co-Operative Education unit and also a Residence Advisor at Zisekesiya Residence.”

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

A: “This is my ninth year at DUT.”

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

A: “I associate mostly with respect. In my line of work, I have learnt that respect is the most critical factor in forming relationships, internally and externally.”

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

A: “I believe that this tagline speaks more on the future because evolution is occurring and in order to survive we must adapt to the new world which requires us to be creative, distinctive and impactful. Therefore, the tagline is promoting adapting to change.”

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

A: “By sourcing information from my surroundings, always monitoring how people interpret these living values. In that way I can be able to trace where there is a gap and work on closing it as an ENVISION2030 champion.”

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

A: “I am an open book, what you see is what you get.”

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

A: “By incubating students and making them ready for the real world, as it is said that the aim for ENVISION2030 is to create future ready graduates, and in that way DUT will be considered as an institution that lives in the future rather than in the past.”

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

A: “I like spending time with my family.”

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

A: “I believe that I can make a difference in each student’s life that I get the opportunity to assist and I plan to keep it that way.”

Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “To always do good and be good to everyone.”

Q: What are your future goals at  DUT?

A: “I plan to further my studies and secure a senior position at DUT.”

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

A: “I would love to obtain a salary increase.”