“I was taught to master things that are needed for me to be an employee, but I was never taught to master me,” said Professor Siphamandla Zondi.  

These are the words spoken by Prof Zondi who was guest speaking at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Vuna Leadership Academy (VunaLA) Webinar which took place on 13 September 2021 via Microsoft Teams. 

He is serving as a Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg and graced the webinar with his thought-provoking presentation.  “The COVID-19 crisis has simply accentuated problems that we already have and brought to the fore what has been lying hidden. This includes liberating the country, our dreams and becoming better human beings than what we are right now. Our response is failing because we have not understood how to deal with this problem. COVID-19 is really going to be a major problem for a long time now. Nonetheless, it has taught us that if we act together, we can solve any problem. Now, how about using that lesson to solve the problems that pre-existed before the pandemic so that COVID-19 is changed from a test into a testimony, from a challenge into an opportunity and make a difference,” said Zondi.  

Masiza Ngculu, Manager at the Department of Student Governance highlighted that: “A lot of times everybody wants to re-imagine the world in their own image but often times we don’t look at ourselves that we are also a product of this particular set of things that pre-existed before us.”

Adding to Ngculu’s commentary, Prof Zondi said, “I am touched by the concept of inner journey. We are indeed battling with a particular spot in a journey, but this journey might not be a straightforward journey from one destination to another. What Ngculu said, reminded me of the proverb by Southern Tanzanian people saying that they who are carried on the back of another will not know how long the journey is. Now, do we as Africans know the journey we are being taken on? Or we are just riding on the back of others?” 

Serati Molokwane from the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), a Curriculum Developer, pleaded for engagements like this one to happen more often as they are beneficial to all. 

“Even if there are no outside speakers, if it is possible, let us have engagements and detox. We are so intoxicated. Let us allow students to speak from their hearts so that we as black people become better people,” said Molokwane.

Pictured: Professor Sphamandla Zondi.  

Nikiwe Sukazi