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 Nomvelo Zulu spoke to Thubalethu Phaku, who is based at the Sport Administration Department, as a Sport Facilities and Events Coordinator at DUT.
Q: Kindly tell me about your role at DUT?
A: “I am Thubalethu Njabulo C. Phaku and I work in the Sport Administration Department in the role of Sport Facilities and Events Coordinator.”
Q: How long have you been in that role?
A: “I have in this role for 12 years now.”
Q: Please describe yourself in a few words?
A: “I am a humble, self-motivated person with good verbal, writing and analytical skills. I am dedicated to my work and also prepared to learn further. I work effectively, efficiently and always honest with my team.”
Q: How has it been like working during COVID-19?
A: “It was very difficult, especially when travelling with people that you don’t know. It was also very painful to see people losing their loved ones.”
Q: What is your daily motivation?
A: “I must thank God every hour, every day that I am alive because of his mercy and I must be brave, respect life and believe that I will live in this world. When the time arrives, then God will take me to be next to him and his world.”
Q: Please take me through a normal day in your life?
A: “I wake up in the morning depending on the days and times to go out for a morning run of about 45 minutes to an hour and 30 minutes. I leave home at 06H30 to take a taxi to work from Ndwedwe to DUT. I get to work at 07H45 to 08H00, and start my daily duties of inspecting the sport facilities to check for any maintenance that needs to be done as well as the booking of the sport centre. I also attend workshops, conferences at work and outside the university. I am also busy with the community outreach projects where we are transferring sport skills, and coaching to the youth in my community.”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “I like to spend time with my family.”
Q: If you had one wish what would it be?
A: “I would wish to have lots of money and live long with my family.”
