The Durban University of Technology (DUT) continues to commend all its essential workers for their dedication and commitment in providing services to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. DUT’s Communications team’s Waheeda Peters spoke to Dr Nellie Naranjee, a Senior Lecturer-Occupational Health Nursing-in the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?  

A: “I am a Senior Lecturer-Occupational Health Nursing-in the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences.” 

Q: How long have you been in that role?  

A: “I have been at DUT since January 2020.”

Q: Please describe yourself in a few words?  

A: “I tend to be very driven in my approach to life and work.”

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

A: “The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally shifted the way in which we work and we had to find the balance between work and home life. It has not been easy but two years down the line, we have learnt to adapt and accept that this is how it will be. Some lessons learnt are that we can accomplish most tasks remotely without a significant drop in productivity or quality. As such, it will be difficult for us to go back to the old ways of teaching and learning as social distancing precautions will remain as an active measure to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.” 

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

A: “There are so many things outside of our control, including that we still do not know how long this will last, or how bad things might get. I shift my focus to things I can control. For example, taking steps to reduce my own personal risk (and the risk that I can unknowingly spread it to others), follow the COVID-19 protocols and safety precautions and doing my part to slow the spread of coronavirus. I pray for the safety and protection of loved ones, family, friends, and the whole world.”

  Q: What is your daily motivation?  

A: “If you live your life with passion, every second will become an adventure.”

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

A: “My days start around 5AM. I start with the house chores, which I consider a very vigorous form of exercise. By 7AM, I start work, answering emails, preparing lectures, teaching online, attending meetings and attending to any other academic matters that need my attention.” 

Q: What are your thoughts about the vaccine and its importance to students and staff?  

A: “There is a growing body of evidence shows that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations outweigh the known and potential risk and is a way to transition out of this phase of the pandemic. I strongly believe that this pandemic can be overcome by being transparent and educating the students, staff and the public about the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccination in lowering the risk of getting and spreading the virus. This belief intersects with my role in the COVID-19 education team, providing information on COVID-19 and vaccination as part of the DUT COVID-19 Task Team.”

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

A: “I don’t have much spare time due to my busy schedules, however when I do, I spend the time with my family or I sew (still a novice though).”

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

A: “A world where people are united and inspired to be instruments of love, peace, goodness and harmony, a world without pain and suffering.”