The Durban University of Technology (DUT) was announced at the first prize winner in the Training Providers category at the 2023 Wholesale and Retail Good Practice Awards ceremony, which was held at the Radisson Conference Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday, 26 October 2023.

Mr Yunus Doba, DUT Retail and Leadership Chair and his colleague, Ms Nozipho Cele attended this prestigious event together with the Executive Dean of Management Sciences at DUT, Professor Fulufhelo Netswera.

According to Mr Doba, it was not the first time DUT was awarded the Good Practice Award. He indicated that in 2016, it was awarded this award in the same category, in an initiative led by former DUT staff member, Mr Shakeel Ori.

“We were ecstatic when the announcement was made as many participating institutions actively engage with the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) programmes and winning at the highest platform was exhilarating. The W&RSETA Good Practice Award is an award made to various stakeholders in the retail sector who have excelled in their respective categories. The various categories include entry level retail employees, companies involved in skills development from SME’s to super large companies (companies which have 2000+ employees), women in leadership, persons with disabilities, TVET Colleges and Higher Education Institutions,” shared Mr Doba.

He indicated that the function was attended by a range of Company CEOs, national, regional and rural retailers, the WRSETA Board, SETA CEOs, company people development departments, Department of Higher Education and various other government departments.

“The award speaks directly to DUT’s ENVISION2030 as it recognises DUT’s role with regard to industry engagement, opening up pathways for students to the economy as entrepreneurs and seamlessly being employable in an evolving and dynamic environment. We fervently believe that it is due to our partnership with organisations like Mr Price, other corporates, SME’s and the TVET sector which has held us in good stead,” said Mr Doba, sharing what made DUT stand out from other higher education institutions.

He expressed his gratitude to the Human Capital Services under the helm of Senior Director, Mr Mxolisi Msomi , the Advancement and Alumni Relations office led by Mr Zwakele Ngubane and Prof Netswera for the support and assistance with all the required documents during the application process.

Mr Doba added that this award places DUT as a top university in South Africa which is actively engaged in the Retail Sector. He believes the award will make a significant contribution in terms of students gaining access to the sector from an institution which is recognised in a national competition.

“The award is affirmation that institutions of higher learning have to collaborate with industry with regard to conducting impact driven research, curriculum conversations, and creating sustainable linkages with partners for the seamless flow of graduates into the economy. Furthermore, the Retail Chair has facilitated conversations between the Faculty of Management Sciences HODs and TVET Colleges with regard to difficult articulation engagement and we need to boldly address issues on the role of our institutions in addressing issues around unemployment,” concluded Mr Doba.

Pictured: Mr Ian Bamber, Board Member of the DUT Retail and Leadership Chair, Mr Yunus Doba, DUT Retail and Leadership Chair and Mr Mxolisi Maphakela, W&RSETA (Research Specialist Research and Innovation) responsible for Retail and Leadership Chairs nationally at the 2023 Wholesale and Retail Good Practice Awards.

Simangele Zuma