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PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE DUT COMMUNITY IN THE TIMES OF A PANDEMIC

PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE DUT COMMUNITY IN THE TIMES OF A PANDEMIC

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) continues to commend all its essential workers for their dedication and commitment to providing services to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. DUT’s Communications team’s Simangele Zuma spoke to Mrs Thembela Ntuli-Mpapama, a Branding and Marketing Strategist for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) at DUT. 

 

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT? 

A: “Thembeka Ntuli-Mpapama is currently a Branding and Marketing Strategist for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) at DUT. This role involves contributing to the development, implementation, maintaining and evaluating FEBE’s communication and marketing strategy to enhance the brand’s visibility.”

 

Q: How long have you been in that role? 

A: “It has been less than a year. The role has been very exciting. I am honoured to be part of this University, where I have worked with various supportive teams to ensure that I carry out my mandate with success.” 

 

Q: Please describe yourself in a few words?

A: “I am kind, smart, creative, passionate, communicative; confident, cooperative and dependable.

 

Q: How has it been like working during COVID-19?

A: “COVID-19 has presented opportunities as well as challenges for most of us but one was able to capitalise on these challenges for example, I used the opportunity to ensure that FEBE’s staff profiles are updated. The website is our main channel of linking the University to its stakeholders. It was therefore crucial to ensure that I start by improving on this area.” 

 

Q: How do you deal with the fear of contracting COVID-19 and losing loved ones due to this virus? 

A: “I had to face my worse fear when my husband, Pastor Mpapama and I were recently diagnosed with COVID-19. That really challenged not only us but our families too because my husband presented more severe symptoms than myself. By God’s grace we both survived.”

 

Q: What is your daily motivation? 

A: “My motivation is waking every day and getting another opportunity from God to work towards becoming a better version of myself. I’m also motivated by witnessing the results of campaigns and watching as the leads we nurtured became customers/students. Having the opportunity to lead campaigns from ideation through the launch is one of the reasons I accepted when I was approached to occupy this role.” 

 

Q: Please take me through a normal day in your life?

A: “My day starts very early as I need to prepare my two kids, Lubanzi (7) and Chuleza (11) for school, that gets followed by the jog which is sometimes replaced by an hour of spinning at the gym. I come back to start with checking of my emails and prepare my to do list. This way assists me to get organised for the day. After lunch, I normally evaluate and monitor the progress of what we are doing and maintain constant communication with the FEBE’s marketing unit and other partners to propose possible interventions and solutions to challenges faced by Faculty.” 

 

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: “I like cooking and traveling with family is always interesting whenever there is an opportunity. Most of my time is also spent in my studies. I’m currently doing a PhD in Media Studies. Further to that, I’m also employed in the University of South Africa as a Communication and Marketing Manager.”

 

Q: If you had one wish what would it be?

A: “My wish is to see the people adapting to the fact that COVID-19 has brought changes in our lives that require us to be innovative and stop hoping that the situation will go back to normal. In that way, the world will be able to explore many opportunities that are presented by COVID-19.”

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