Page 3 - DUT Edge

RISING STARS 3
DUT ALUMNus IS A
RISING FOOTBALL STAR
Durban University of Technology (DUT) alumni Khethukuthula Ndlovu, who hails from Tugela Ferry in uMsinga, was signed by Uthongathi F.C. as their right winger in October last year.
Ndlovu, whose dream it was since a youngster to play soccer professionally, completed his National Diploma in Of ce Management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in 2019 and played for DUT F.C. before Uthongathi F.C., which was not easy since he sometimes had to skip classes to attend training.“Dedication pushed me to nish my studies, then continue to follow my passion, which was football,” said Ndlovu.
His desire to make his dream a reality is what kept Ndlovu going. “I asked my parents to allow me to ful l my dreams of being a professional football player for at least two years after my graduation. If I failed, then I would go hunt for a job. Fortunately, I got signed by Uthongathi within that period!” said Ndlovu.
“Training is essential to every footballer. It helps your mind to function well and body to be t. For me, there are no speci c times for training. I don’t have a diet plan but my manager sometimes orders me to not eat certain foods, such as oily foods,” said Ndlovu.
“My best highlight so far has to be playing against Orlando Pirates recently. It was the biggest game of my career. I learnt so much and enjoyed myself as well,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu aims to grow as a professional soccer player.“The plan is to be more successful in football. I aim to get a Premium Soccer League (PSL) contract,” he said. He also stressed the importance of staying in school, bagging a quali cation and being set for life.
Ndlovu had plans to further his studies but couldn’t due to complications.“If the time allows, I will continue with my studies,” he said.
The ambitious Ndlovu said that he has a desire to play abroad – that is one opportunity he would grab with both hands. He also desires to give back to the community because he believes that he is where he is now because of the people.“I am eager to monitor young boys who plays soccer,” said Ndlovu.
Pictured: Khethukuthula Ndlovu Nikiwe Sukazi
VC'S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
DUT'S NDLOVU THANKS DUT FOR GROUNDING HIM ON HIS CAREER JOURNEY
Durban-born Andile Ndlovu feels fortunate to have travelled the world and been in the same orbit as politicians, sportsmen and Hollywood stars as a communications specialist.
“My journey has been very challenging and eye- opening, to say the least,” said Ndlovu.
He obtained his National Diploma in Journalism from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and then moved to Johannesburg to pursue greater opportunities. With a focus on brand communications, he furthered his studies by doing his Advanced Diploma in Brand Innovation and he is about to start his Honours Degree in Strategic Communications.
Ndlovu went from working for the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), where he scooped an award for Employee of the Year 2017, to being in the of ce of the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg. “I was exposed to how daunting yet ful lling being in public service can be for the rst time,” said Ndlovu.
Explaining how he dealt with some of the challenges he faced along his journey, Ndlovu said: “Growing up is knowing that there will be bumps along the journey. I have also learnt to take pride in my work and to always put that rst.When my interests are no longer served, I have always taken steps to extricate myself from such toxic environments. I do not know why I am so brave, but I have walked away from all three of my last organisations because of a lack of support or respect or even feeling undervalued.”
He is grateful to be able to turn to these amazing memories and reminisce: “All those experiences have expanded my horizon and I just appreciate the career path I chose.”
Ndlovu highly recommends DUT as a place of study to students based on his experience as an undergrad, which was before 2009. He added his appreciation to DUT for grounding him and his partners. “I learnt all the crucial elements of being a practical journalist. It taught me how to always be curious and nurture my networks,” he said.
“My trajectory has been bumpy, but if I were to impart advice to future students who wish to follow in my footsteps, I would say: Do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do,” said Ndlovu.
Pictured: Andile Ndlovu Nikiwe Sukazi
If you cheated through that journey, that award will be meaningless and worthless. No wonder you might nd yourself unemployable. Through you – your thoughts, your speech, your behaviour and what you represent – potential employers will either discover the emptiness and fakeness of your award or its resourcefulness and authenticity.
So, remain steadfast, truthful and principled so that the award will widen your horizons, open up new vistas, and demonstrate your resourcefulness and authenticity. Success will, indeed, be guaranteed.
You are setting off on your university journey at a time when the world, and South Africa in particular, is moving from one crisis to another.The future of this world and this country is not ours but, yours, our youth. It requires new and fresh ideas and innovations from you. Such will not come out of thin air; but, from your mastery of independent thinking and critical analysis, from your knowledge and high-level skills, and from your creativity and innovations.
Apportioning blame to history does not change it and usher in a bright future.Apportioning blame to bad choices your parents made in their youth does not correct those choices and give you the right choices for your future. Apportioning blame to your social environment and the quality of your schooling does not change these and brighten your future.What will brighten your future are ideas, creativity and innovations focused unstintingly on building that in the present.
I said earlier on that being at university ushers in a critical stage in your personal, intellectual, academic and professional development. Most of what I said earlier
suggests the high premium we place on intellectual, academic and professional excellence, and success.
While all of these are important, personal and social development are equally important. At the end of your journey, we wish to see you having developed holistically and becoming a well-rounded human being. DUT has a range of personal and social development programmes and projects in which students may participate. Join these programmes. Meet new people and learn from them. So many of our students’ social innovation and development initiatives that help to build communities around us win national competitions. Be part of that success! Be part of the impact we make!
As I end my welcome remarks, please pay attention to your thoughts and behaviour.They prejudge either failure or success in this educational journey.
There are small and big things too that we do every day. They end up de ning who we are as individuals and as a people.They give us identity.They build our brand – personal and/or institutional. If what you do every day is not helping you to achieve your dreams of excellence and success, introduce tiny incremental changes and stick with them.
Dedicate yourself to constant change. Be unshakeable as you pursue your dreams. Be consistent. You will be surprised at the remarkable results you will achieve once you take charge of your own thoughts and behavior in lecture halls, residence and all spaces internal and external to the University.
Dare to educate yourself. Dare to live. Dare to be exemplary. Dare to succeed!
Once again, welcome to DUT.