The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Student Recruitment Unit successfully hosted the annual Principals and Life Orientation (LO) Teachers Breakfast on Thursday, 28 August 2025, at the Golden Horse Hotel in Pietermaritzburg. The prestigious gathering served as a platform to strengthen partnerships between schools and the university, while also providing an opportunity to reflect on the role of education in shaping future leaders. The event attracted a large number of principals, educators, and stakeholders who were eager to engage in meaningful dialogue about preparing learners for higher education and the challenges of a rapidly changing society.
Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Director of the Advancement and Alumni Relations Unit, served as the master of ceremony, ensuring that the day unfolded smoothly, balancing the presentations, performances, and interactive sessions with moments of reflection and engagement.
The morning began with a warm and heartfelt welcome by Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane, Director of the Pietermaritzburg Campus. In her opening remarks, she reminded educators of the crucial role they play in nurturing and guiding learners who will ultimately become leaders in various sectors. Dr Mthiyane emphasised that the responsibility of preparing learners for the transition from school to university cannot rest on the shoulders of one institution alone but requires collective effort and collaboration between schools and universities.
She noted that while students may excel academically, they often struggle socially and emotionally when adjusting to the independence of university life. “We need to work together and help young people adjust better and avoid the risks that come with transition, such as stress and mental health challenges,” said Dr Mthiyane. She further explained that the event was not only a networking opportunity but also a call to action for collective responsibility in education.
This theme of reflection and forward thinking was carried through in the speech by Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT. Khan provided an inspiring overview of DUT’s journey over the past 21 years, tracing its origins from the 2002 merger of two technikons to the establishment of the Durban Institute of Technology, which later became DUT in 2004. He proudly shared that the majority of DUT graduates are first-generation university graduates, often representing the hopes of entire families and communities. He also highlighted that over the past decade, women have made up the majority of DUT graduates, a powerful sign of progress in higher education.
Pictured: Senior Director of Corporate Affairs Alan Khan, Student Recruitment Manager Alex Mdletshe and DUT staff members, at the breakfast.
Mr Khan further explained the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy, which is not merely a policy document but a living framework that highlights the university’s values of transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. “DUT’s Philosophy of Education states that our creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society,” he explained. Speaking to the global recognition of the university, he proudly announced that DUT was ranked among the top universities in Sub-Saharan Africa according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and within the top six percent of universities and colleges globally, according to the 2025 Webometrics World University Rankings. He encouraged school principals and teachers to view DUT as a partner in opening doors for learners, noting that the Midlands campuses are providing world-class academic and entrepreneurship opportunities for students.
The academic programme continued with a presentation by Dr Ismail Rawat from DUT’s Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, who addressed the critical topic: How Safe Is Your Water? He explained in detail how water treatment works and debunked common myths surrounding tap water safety. Dr Rawat noted that while misinformation often spreads on social media, the science shows that most municipal tap water in South Africa is safe to drink. He encouraged the attendees to ask questions, verify information, and rely on scientific knowledge rather than rumours. He also explained how DUT researchers are working on water safety and sanitation projects that directly benefit communities, reminding participants of the vital connection between academic research and real-life challenges.
In keeping with DUT’s tradition of using creativity and performance as a medium of education, the audience was treated to a powerful and interactive performance by DUT Drama students. The forum theatre piece focused on the issue of gender-based violence in schools and its impact on learners. The drama was not only informative but also participatory, as teachers and principals were invited to give feedback, share strategies, and propose solutions for how schools could address these pressing issues. The sketch sparked lively discussions and gave educators practical insights into how to handle such challenges in their own institutions.
DUT Student Recruitment Manager, Mr Alex Mdletshe, at the breakfast.
Another highlight of the event was the presentation by Senamile Dlangalala from innobiz, DUT’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She shared how innobiz is grooming entrepreneurial talent among students by providing both theoretical training and practical business incubation opportunities. Dlangalala explained that innobiz runs structured programmes that assist students with business development, mentorship, compliance, and even access to funding opportunities. Since its establishment in 2018, the Centre has incubated more than 500 businesses, created over 3,000 jobs, and trained thousands of students and learners in entrepreneurship. She emphasised that many students who go through innobiz programmes no longer seek employment but instead continue building their own sustainable businesses. For schools, this served as an important reminder of the need to introduce entrepreneurship at a young age so that learners can begin thinking creatively about self-employment and innovation.
The event also addressed one of the most urgent threats in today’s digital world: Cybercrime. This presentation was led by Ebrahim Asmal, an Information Technology expert at DUT, who provided a sobering yet practical overview of how cyber fraud is taking the world by storm. He warned educators about the rise of online scams and digital fraud. “As long as you have a mobile phone, a bank account, or an email address, you are a potential target,” he said. Using real-life examples of WhatsApp and banking scams, he cautioned against carelessly sharing personal details.
He advised educators to promote awareness among learners about the dangers of sharing personal information, to never disclose one-time pins, and to verify suspicious requests by calling directly. He stressed the importance of building resilience against cyberattacks, noting that schools are often targeted because they store large amounts of sensitive data but may lack proper cybersecurity systems.
Educators expressed their appreciation for the event. Bongeka Mtshali, an LO teacher from Riverdene Secondary School who attended for the first time, described it as both inspiring and practical. “This was a very informative programme, and I gained so much from it. I was particularly impressed by the Agri-entrepreneurship initiative that DUT introduced. It stood out to me because many learners are not fully aware of the different forms of entrepreneurship available to them. I would love to take some of these ideas back to my school and implement them. Overall, it was an excellent and eye-opening experience,” she said.
Sharing similar sentiments, Joel Ndlovu, principal of Msimude High School, emphasised the value of the event. “This breakfast was very insightful and empowering for us as principals. The presentations were practical and relevant, especially the Forum Theatre performance, which addressed real issues we encounter in our schools. It gave us new ideas on how to guide both learners and teachers. I truly appreciate DUT for creating this platform that brings schools and the university closer together,” he said.
DUT Student Recruitment Manager, Mr Alex Mdletshe, extended his heartfelt appreciation to all the principals, teachers, and colleagues who attended. He thanked his team for their dedication in organising the event and encouraged schools to continue working hand in hand with DUT to prepare learners for the future. He also called on principals to welcome DUT whenever recruitment teams visit schools, emphasising that such collaborations are essential in ensuring that learners are guided into the right study and career pathways.
Pictured: Principals and LO teachers in attendance at the event.
Photography: Khulasande Tshayile
Sinamile Sithole
