Ntuthuko King-Dom Nxumalo, popularly known as King, has turned personal adversity into a determination to learn, grow and explore how technology could help address challenges facing small-scale farming businesses. The Durban University of Technology (DUT) master’s student is investigating how artificial intelligence (AI) could help farmers manage information and make better business decisions.
Born and raised in Mbongolwane, a rural community near Eshowe in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Ntuthuko experienced personal and financial challenges, including the loss of close family members. Despite these difficulties, he remained determined to further his education and build a better future.
“Growing up in difficult circumstances taught me that your background does not have to determine your future. There were times when the journey was not easy, but I learned to keep going, even when the way forward was uncertain,” he says.
Ntuthuko began his academic journey at Umfolozi TVET College’s Eshowe Campus, where he completed an N4 in Business Management in 2016. He later enrolled at DUT, earning a Diploma in Business Administration in 2021, an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration in 2023 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration in 2024. He is currently pursuing a master’s qualification in Business Information Management at the University.
His involvement in student life has also formed part of his university experience. Through his participation in the Student Representative Council’s Sports and Recreation portfolio and campus activities, including the Freshers Cup, he has had opportunities to develop his leadership and teamwork skills.
“Education has opened my mind to possibilities I did not always see when I was growing up. It has taught me that learning should not end with obtaining a qualification. I want to use what I learn to contribute to solutions that can make a difference in people’s lives,” he says.
This desire to find practical solutions is reflected in his master’s research proposal, titled “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Information Management Practices: A Case Study of Gule Agri Consulting in Pietermaritzburg”. His research is being conducted under the supervision of Dr Lungile P. Ngcobo, a former Ms DUT.
The study looks at how AI could help small-scale farming businesses manage their information more effectively. Farmers need to keep track of production, stock, input costs, customer orders and sales to plan their operations and understand how their businesses are performing. However, keeping accurate records can be difficult when access to technology, resources and digital skills is limited.
Ntuthuko wants to establish whether AI could help make these tasks easier and what farmers would need to use such technology in their day-to-day operations.
“I chose this topic because I am interested in how technology can be applied to real challenges faced by businesses and communities. Small-scale farmers need information to plan their operations and make decisions, but managing that information can be difficult when resources are limited. I want to explore whether AI could help make these processes more efficient and support better decision-making,” he says.
As part of the study, Ntuthuko will examine existing information management practices at Gule Agri Consulting, consider possible uses of AI and identify the benefits and challenges associated with adopting the technology. These could include the cost of implementation, access to infrastructure, digital skills and the availability of support.
For him, it is important to understand the circumstances of the people who would be expected to use these tools before considering possible solutions.
“Technology must respond to people’s needs. Before recommending solutions, we need to understand the challenges they face and what would make a new approach practical and accessible. I hope this research will contribute to a better understanding of how AI could support small-scale farming businesses,” he says.
His research also considers a wider question: how can small businesses make better use of information as technology continues to change the way people work? For small-scale farmers, having reliable information can help with planning, managing resources and making decisions about their operations. Ntuthuko’s study seeks to establish where AI could be useful and what challenges would need to be addressed before it could be adopted.
His postgraduate journey comes at a time when DUT continues to strengthen its research standing. In the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the University moved into the 1201–1400 global band and ranked ninth among South African universities. Research performance contributed to a 78% improvement in the University’s overall score. DUT also received the National Research Foundation’s Focused Research Advancement Award for the third consecutive year in 2026, emerging as the top achiever among universities of technology in that category.
For Ntuthuko, completing his master’s degree is another step towards his goal of pursuing doctoral studies. He hopes to continue developing his research skills and contribute to work that addresses challenges facing businesses and communities.
“I see my master’s research as part of a bigger journey. I want to continue learning, pursue doctoral studies and contribute to research that addresses challenges facing communities and businesses. I also hope my story encourages other young people to believe in themselves and keep moving forward, regardless of their circumstances,” he says.
Having progressed from an N4 qualification to postgraduate studies, Ntuthuko hopes his journey will encourage other young people, particularly those facing difficult circumstances, not to give up on their education. He is now working towards completing his master’s research and exploring how its findings could contribute to better information management in small-scale farming businesses.
Pictured: Ntuthuko King-Dom Nxumalo
Photo supplied
Tiyani Mboweni
