Glitz and glam were not the only part that took centre stage at the 2022 Res Life Awards that took place on Friday, 25 November 2022 at the Olive Convention Centre, Durban. Expressions of gratitude and compliments on great leadership skills portrayed in 2022 were also the topic of discussion on this evening.

The Res Life Awards were primarily attended by the different House Committee members of the Durban Campus Student Residences, Housing and Student Residence Life officials, DUT staff and students. The House Committee consists of the Residence Advisor, Assistant Resident Advisor, Chairperson, Secretary, and a Project Officer. The Resident Advisor is either a postgraduate student/staff member or past student at the university with a postgraduate qualification and traceable equivalent experience. The positions of Assistant Resident Advisor a current postgraduate student or member of staff or former student is appointed to fill this position. The House Committee Chairperson, Secretary and the Project Officer are all chosen from students that currently live in that residence. The requirements for the individuals appointed to these positions must possess a high level of discipline, skills of leadership and must be academically fit to lead.

In her keynote address, Ms Siphesihle Ngubo, Health Promotion Project Officer at the DUT Student and Health applauded the outgoing House Committees. Ngubo also reflected on the importance of excelling in what one does and extending gratitude to those who helps one in one’s journeys. Ngubo reflected on some of the lessons she learnt growing up that highlighted these principles. “My parents taught me to combine wisdom and knowledge to make an impact. I know you are tough but always remember to be kind, make sure that your servants’ towel is bigger than your ego. Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity, being in position of power, our ego tends to get the best of us,” said Ngubo.

She further urged House Committees to continue leading with wisdom wherever they are and to utilize their knowledge in a way that positively impacts in the lives of those whom they lead.

Different students took turns on stage entertaining the guests at the awards ceremony. A message from the Dean of Students, Dr Clement Moreku was also read by his Executive Assistant, Ms Thulile Duma. Dr Moreku could not attend the awards due to a management related commitment. However, his words of encouragement to the outgoing House Committee members for 2022 were well-received.

Pictured: Winners of the evening for the different categories.

“House Committee members 2022, you have made us immensely proud, and we appreciate your contributions to the entire Student Services Sector, the Student Housing and Resident life section. The unit of student services is very crucial in every student’s life and development of students in this instance particularly those residing in university residences and your leadership was amazing throughout 2022. Walk tall, walk proud. You have excelled in the task that you have been given,” concluded Duma.

Categories of the Awards and the Winners

• Outstanding Contribution to the living and learning environment: Berea Cove Residence.
• Outstanding programme in the living and learning communities: Central Housing Executive.
• Excellence in Sustainability: Green Campus Initiative.
• Outstanding Community Outreach Project: Residence Life Networks& Central Housing Executive.
• Inclusion and Advocacy in the living and learning communities: Cool Ideas.
• Student Advancement Awards: Winterton Residence.
• Resident Life Spirit Award: Orap Residence, Jukebox Residence and Sterling House Residence.

In her closing remarks, acting Senior Residence Life Officer, Makhosazana Twala, said that the activities that took place during 2022 could have not been possible if the teams at the Durban Residences did not adhere to putting students first and being people centred. Twala further added that there was a high level of discipline amongst leaders, commitment from students residing in the various student residences and even those that did not win were winners just by making the DUT Housing and Student Residences a conducive living and learning environment.  “We thank you all for making 2022 a memorable year for every student that resided at the DUT Student residences. We appreciate your leadership and the commitment from the students who are the key stakeholders of Student Housing and Residence life,” concluded Twala.

Pictured: Makhosazana Twala: Acting Senior Residence Life Officer and Phumlane Mnyango: Manager: Durban Campus Student Housing and Residence Life as they were about to happily handover the awards to the winners last Friday, 22 November 2022.

Pictured: Student Housing team with the winners from Orap, Winterton and Jukebox Student Residence.

Pictured: Winners of the evening for the different categories.

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile

Noxolo Memela/Nomvelo Zulu