On 27 May 2023, the Faculty of Management Sciences conferred Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration to twelve (12) graduands during the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) 2023 Autumn graduation.

The afternoon session saw the beautifully dressed graduands with red gowns getting capped, and beaming with pride as they left the stage as PhD graduates. The executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Fulufhelo Netswera was all smiles as graduates’ successes and excellence were celebrated.

One of the graduates, Nomusa Pridesworth Majiya could not contain her excitement as her name was announced as she received her Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration, which took her four years to complete. The tittle of her thesis is: An evaluation of assessment practices of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in Programmes offering Office Management and Teaching and Technology (OMT): A case study of three South African Universities.

“It took me at least four years to finish my PhD and that is because the COVID-19 pandemic held me back. I am proud of myself for this achievement. Young people must persevere and be patient in their studies. Achieving the PhD level is doable, I mean look at me, I did it,” shared Dr Majiya excitedly.

Graduate, Ismail Banoo obtained the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. His exciting thesis read: An analysis of Attitudes, Behaviour and Perceptions of Water use in urban households within the city of Durban.

“The thesis has encouraged extensive interest in the research topic of water demand management and has also fostered  interest in future research projects to be done on the topic,” he said.

He further added that additionally, the study also extensively investigated  the extent to which the public understood water-saving as an environmental concept and the need to conserve a precious natural resource such as water.

“The research impact proposes a strong scientific argument for more citizen-based inputs into future public management policy as it relates to water conservation and water demand management in the city of Durban and more broadly in South Africa,” he said.

Other beaming PhD graduates were:

• Soufiane Khebbaz: who received her Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. The tittle of thesis is: Advancing peace building programs to counter violent extremism messaging in Sidi.
• Julian Zygmunt Kiepiel was bestowed his Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. Dr Kiepiel’s thesis read: A synthetic approach to regional spatial planning in less developed contexts.
• Dipolelo Norman Malatjie was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. Dr Malatjie’s dissertation read: Performance Management: A case study of the emergency medical response services in Limpopo Province.
• Trust Mapfumo obtained his Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. Dr Mapfumo’s Title of Thesis read: Learning and adaptive Management mechanism in implementing development programs in Zaka district, Zimbabwe.
• Kimanu Josephine Mauwa received the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. Dr Mauwa’s thesis read: Restoring social cohesion after widespread rape of women in Democratic Republic of the Congo’s local community through conflict transformation: A case study.
• Sithembile Gadiosa Mkhize received the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. The thesis read: Investigation of factors, influencing non-compliance with procurement practices: A case study of Head office supply chain management directorate and hospitals within eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal.
• Dorothy Moyo received the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. The thesis read: Educating secondary school learners on nonviolence using transformative approach to reduce violence in a Zimbabwean secondary school.
• Tandiwe Ngwenya received the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. The thesis read: Frozen in Time: Accelerating Trauma Healing in Protection of Civilian (POC) Sites in South Sudan.
• Mfanozelwe Dizline Shozi was bestowed his Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. The thesis read: Utilising Action Research to Build Peace at Njobokazi Village, KwaZulu-Natal.
• Bonginkosi Sibusiso Jerome Thusi was bestowed the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Administration. Dr Thusi’s thesis read: The effective implementation of employee Performance Management and Development Systems and its impact on employee success at a selected Public Health institution within the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal.

Prof Netswera concluded the ceremony by expressing his gratitude to the families, friends, colleagues of the graduates, as well as his immense thanks to the academic, administration and support services departments at DUT for creating a conducive environment that has helped DUT graduates to grow and achieve excellent academic results. In addition, Prof urged those who were graduating for their undergraduate qualifications to come back and pursue their studies at DUT and continue to live by the DUT living values and principles.

Pictured: Some of the PhD graduates at the graduation ceremony.

Nikiwe Sukazi/Waheeda Peters