“The passion for education and studying was planted at an early stage. So the transition to higher education was not that difficult as I was used to a culture of studying,” said an ecstatic Sibusiso Zuma.
The dedicated SRC member graduated with his National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting at the FJ Sithole Hall, Indumiso campus this afternoon (Tuesday, 30 April 2019).
He also feels very blessed to be the first in his family to graduate. “It’s really great considering the fact that this is one field that is viewed by many as one of the most difficult to pursue,” he added.
Besides ensuring his academic studies are on par, Zuma also holds a portfolio of Education and Transformation Officer in the SRC, at the Midlands Campus. He is also the chairperson of the Young Communist League of South Africa Zama Ngidi Branch at the Midlands Campus, which is one of the clubs and societies in the institution.
“It is because of my ability to critically analyse situations that has landed me into the position I currently hold. Although I can’t say it has taken me places because I am still a student, but I must say it was an easy choice to make when I wanted to focus more on Management studies as most of the work is more or less the same,” he said.
As the Education and Transformation Officer, he is responsible for all academic related issues, ensuring that students are registered and those with challenges, on their behalf, liaise and forge relations with the Dean of Students and the Office of the Registrar, to find measures on how best to ensure that students are in the system. “It doesn’t only end with putting students in the system but to also to ensure that the academic environment (classes, computer labs and libraries) is to a standard that inspires confidence and ensures academic excellence. And as the portfolio has transformation, it is also part of my responsibilities to support transformation and be the ambassador of transformation in the institution,” he added.
In terms of his inspiration, Zuma said his Economics teacher at Sukuma Comprehensive High School, Nelisiwe Dlamini, played a vital role. “For her to nurture where she sees potential and go beyond the call of duty is what made me also consider selflessness as the most important aspect of life, and it’s what drove me into being in a position where I can touch as many lives as I possibly can (being in the SRC),” he stressed.
Zuma is not all about just studies and politics but also finds time for his big love of soccer. During weekends he plays football, which is also one of the talents that God has blessed him with.
“I really have passion for the sport and this saw me having a stint at the Maritzburg United Development in 2016. But currently I just play in the campus league for keeping fit and healthy,” he said.
Looking ahead, Zuma says he wants to help students with change. “We (SRC) are expected to influence change that will be able to equip and enable our graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge that will assist them in facing the dynamic implications that comes with the 4th Industrial Revolution; that is facing not only South Africa but the whole world. It is our responsibility as well to impart knowledge on those that come after us, to help them reach what I have also achieved and not to fall within the cracks and perish,” he said.
For Zuma, he is also very optimistic about DUT. “Having been in many engagements with the executive management and especially the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Mthembu, one must admit that the vision he shares for the institution looks very promising, especially on his latest State of the University Address and the stakeholder engagement, where he highlighted his strategic plan for DUT for the coming years. His emphasis was on student-centeredness and how this must be implemented at an operational level within the institution,” he said.
Zuma also added that he would definitely invite students to study at DUT in the field of Accounting as the department has dedicated staff, who not only just want to teach but they empower themselves with knowledge too. “In my years as a student, I witnessed two of our lecturers graduating with PhDs, and that inspires confidence on us as students that the material we are studying is delivered by well qualified and dedicated lecturers,” he said.
The current BTech: Management student strongly believes that more funding needs to be invested in what the universities refer to as Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECPs), so that they could accept more students, who come from really disadvantaged schools,” he said.
His advice to fellow students who want to follow in his footsteps in terms of being in the SRC is that they must be more than ready to lead and understand that they are not only representing students but also the dreams and aspirations of those that entrusts their votes on them. “It has its challenges and some days are really hard that you ask yourself if it’s all worth it, but with the right support and advise it all comes together and you get to soldier on and bearing in mind that once you enter that space it’s no longer about you but those you lead,” he said.
Pictured: Sibusiso Zuma
Waheeda Peters
