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 Simangele Zuma spoke to Mr Mthunzi Khonjelwayo, a Lecturer at the Department of Public Management Law and Economics at DUT.

Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT? 

A: “I am a Lecturer for Supply Chain Management and Public Policy and International Relations under the Department of Public Management Law and Economics (PMLE). I am also a Programme Coordinator for Supply Chain Management. This includes preparation, lecturing, and administration of marks.” 

Q: How long have you been in that role?  

A: “I have been in this role since 2019.”

Q: Please describe yourself in a few words?

A: “I am a servant leader, a well-rounded emerging leader and scholar, an activist for quality curriculum, student relations, staff development, and a strategist.”

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

A: “Working during the COVID-19 period was a challenge of change, where the University had to adopt to working without esteemed colleagues, students, and relatives. Further, the change from invigilated form of assessments, to non-invigilated, and finally, the notion, of introducing the new change to come back to campus, the changes has brought discomfort to be honest.”

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

A: “This is a very emotional one, I am a victim of COVID-19, and further a victim of losing someone who believed in me, and gave me a chance to work for the University. I do not wish it for anyone, whether as a victim of both, or just one. It is a terrible experience.”

Q: What is your daily motivation? 

A: “If you do it, you have a chance to finish it, if you do not do it, you will definitely not finish it. Just do something in a day, it does not matter how small it is. Procrastination is an enemy of success; it has robbed us of prospective doctors and specialists. As a result, I keep going, until further notice.”

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

A: “I wake up normally mid-morning, go to eat breakfast, and go to gym, then pass by car garages for some window shopping, and then get back and be ready for work. I normally finish work at 8pm, and from that time until after midnight, I am doing my school work.”

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

A: “I normally visit the old people in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and mainly those who cannot afford certain things to help with what is needed on that day. I do few things. I sometimes take time to teach kids the techniques of studying and getting distinctions.”

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

A: “I wish to see a collective contribution to the image of DUT, become the best scholar, and leader the University will boast about, maintain and improve quality in relation to curriculum, staff development, and student retention, satisfaction, and provide a platform for students to voice their concerns about the department of PMLE with a view to improve their experience in the University.”