“If there is anything that you want to compromise, let it not be passion and quality. These assist in maintaining consistency and ensuring that excellence is achieved personally and career-wise,” said Mthunzi Khonjelwayo.
The passionate Khonjelwayo has been with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) for the past five years. He is a Lecturer and Supply Chain Management Programme Coordinator for the Department of Public Management Law and Economics at DUT, Midlands Riverside Campus.
Khonjelwayo who is from a village farm at Amersfoort in Mpumalanga Province grew up at KwaZulu-Natal, Eshowe. He is one individual who has never allowed his disadvantaged background to hinder him from achieving his goals, and making his dream a reality.
“It was not easy to grow up with a deceased mother, absent father and no family support. However, through God, passion and the consistent eagerness of always wanting to produce quality, I survived,” expressed Khonjelwayo.
He holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration, Bachelor of Technology in Public Management, Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Bachelor of Arts Honours in Practical Theology, Masters in Religion and Social Transformation, and Master of Business Administration. When sharing his career experiences and lessons, he emphasized the significance of having good leadership skills.
“Leadership is an art that is best mastered when you allow yourself to lead and be led. It is imperative to have a healthy and professional relationship with colleagues, respect everyone regardless of their positions, acknowledge that we all need each other and everyone has something to offer,” he said.
He further explained that during his High School days one of his teachers told him that education is what he needed to achieve his dreams and be independent.
He went on to say that academically within the institution, he is driven by the ENVISION2030 strategy. His wish is to see DUT in the history books of excellence, to have their department contributing immensely in terms of research output and community engagement.
“I want to contribute towards enhancing the image of this department, drive initiatives consistently that will attract necessary stakeholders. Finally, to contribute to the development and maintenance of quality in terms of curriculum and human resource,” he added.
Khonjelwayo concluded with words of wisdom to his colleagues and students.
“I would like to encourage all students to work hard in ensuring that they graduate and add value to their homes, communities, economy or wherever life may lead them because time flies. To my colleagues, let us continue to ensure that our students are getting a well-deserved education and work as a team,” he said.
Pictured: Mthunzi Khonjelwayo, Lecturer and Supply Chain Management Programme Coordinator for the Department of Public Management Law and Economics at DUT, Midlands Riverside Campus.
Zanele Mashaba
