Nkululeko Mbatha is a passionate communicator, commercial model, and youth development advocate currently pursuing a Master’s in Management Sciences, specialising in Business Administration, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). He serves as a Communications Assistant within DUT’s Corporate Affairs, where he manages the university’s online community and supports strategic institutional communications.

Nkululeko is an Advisory Board Member for the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Health and was recently appointed to the Board of McCord Provincial Eye Hospital. With a strong foundation in Public Relations, pageantry, and student leadership, he is deeply committed to purpose-driven work that empowers young people and drives transformative change across education, health, and innovation sectors.

In addition to this recent board appointment, Mbatha has actively contributed to student leadership and institutional development at DUT. He has served as a Student Leader and Residence Advisor, and is a proud fellow of the Hlomisa Skills Academy.

Sharing his thoughts on being appointed as a board member for McCord Provincial Eye Hospital, Mbatha replied that he is deeply honoured to be appointed as one of the board members for McCord Provincial Eye Hospital by the KZN Department of Health.

“It’s a humbling responsibility, and I’m excited to contribute meaningfully to a healthcare institution that holds historical and social significance. This opportunity reflects the trust placed in young leaders and reaffirms the value of diverse representation in decision-making structures,” he shared.

Mbatha emphasised that this is a new role to him and his immediate goal is to learn from the outgoing board members and align with the hospital’s mission and community impact goals.

“I aim to advocate for inclusive healthcare communication strategies, improve youth awareness around health care, preventative eye care, and support community-based outreach initiatives that amplify access and education,” he said.

For Mbatha, such a role will further allow him to serve as a bridge between healthcare and higher education. He further hopes to use this platform to strengthen student and academic participation in public health initiatives and research collaborations.

“This role will position DUT as an engaged stakeholder in provincial health development, locally and globally especially through knowledge exchange, advocacy, and social innovation,” he noted.

His interest in public health emerged through his work in student leadership and institutional risk communication, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being involved in university-wide safety protocols, wellness campaigns, and stakeholder communications made me more aware of how important public health literacy and systems are for both students and society,” he said.

Mbatha also emphasised that his role aligns with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, particularly the improving lives and livelihoods commitment. By participating in a board focused on accessible healthcare, he is directly contributing to community wellness.

Going forward in his new role, Mbatha hopes to contribute towards reducing barriers to access in eye care, particularly for rural and under-resourced communities. “Another challenge is improving communication between health institutions and people. I aim to bridge that gap using digital platforms and inclusive messaging that reaches broader, often overlooked, audiences,” he shared.

Mbatha is immersed into many social campaigns as well, having also contributed to DUT’s award-winning social media campaigns, including the development of the DUT social media plan and several high-impact campaigns aligned with the ENVISION2030 strategy.

Professionally, Mbatha aims to complete his Master’s degree and to publish research focused on SME growth and resilience through digital transformation.

“I also plan to contribute more intentionally to youth policy development, higher education transformation, and public health initiatives-particularly where they intersect with communication and innovation. On a personal level, I aspire to remain grounded while expanding my impact through mentorship, storytelling, and community-led advocacy. My goal is to continue empowering young people and creating meaningful platforms that inspire leadership and social change,” he concluded.

Pictured: Nkululeko Mbatha.

Waheeda Peters