WHAT IS CONVOCATION

The Alumni Relations Office is also responsible for the administration of Convocation and it’s executive structure (CONVEX). Convocation is a statutory body of the University and is constituted by, inter alia, graduates and all holders of diplomas and certificates of the University including those of the former M L Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal including those institutions giving rise to these. Convocation has an important role to play in the institution by representing and advancing the collective interests of it’s members with respect to the University. As such, Convocation has 3 representatives on the DUT Council (the highest governing body of the institution). Should you have legitimate concerns regarding your alma mater; please contact us.

DUT Statute

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF CONVOCATION (CONVEX)

CONVEX

Ms Zama Mncube

President of Convocation

Ms Zama Mncube, an only child, was born and raised in Newcastle. She attended Mnyamande High School. She obtained a National Diploma in Office Management and Technology in 2016 and a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Office Management and Technology in 2018. She is currently doing her Masters in Management Sciences.

She was the first female SRC President to be elected in 2016 and served 2 consecutive terms. Prior to being elected SRC President, she served as Deputy Secretary-General of the SRC in 2015. She also worked as a junior lecturer in the Department of Information and Corporate Management.

Her previous leadership responsibilities included being a member of Council, SASCO Regional Executive Committee member, YCLSA Branch Deputy Chairperson and District Working Committee, ANCYL Branch Secretary and Regional Executive Committee member

Ms Mncube currently works as a Liaison Officer in the Office of the Chairperson of Economic Development and Planning, eThekwini Municipality.

Mr Qhawelenkosi Mzimela

Vice-President of Convocation

Qhawelenkosi Mzimela commonly known as Qhawe is from Mtunzini near eMpangeni, in the Northern part of KZN.

He holds a National Certificate in A National Diploma in Accounting from DUT, a Post Graduate certificate in Education (Senior phase and FET) from UNISA, a Certificate in Municipal Finance from Wits and is currently doing his Bachelor Degree in Supply Chain with UNISA.

He worked for the National Students’ Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) as a financial aid services consultant, for First National Bank as a branch consultant, for SANLAM as a financial advisor and is currently working as a Supply Chain Management Officer in uMlalazi Municipality under King Cetshwayo District.

He has served in different positions of leadership. As a branch secretary and branch chairperson of ABASA (Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants) DUT Student Chapter, secretary-general of Golden Minds Youth Organization, in different Political formations (SASCO, YCL and ANCYL) during his activism in student politics as well as in the DUT SRC. He also served as a secretary of Umlalazi Municipality Youth Council and served as a DUT CONVEX member from 2016 to 2018.

Mr Siwakhile Nogaga

Attended Ilanga High School matriculating in 2006. He enrolled a DUT and obtained a National Diploma in Civil Engineering in 2011 as well as completing a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Engineering (Civil) specializing in Water Engineering, in 2018.

His work experience includes working at Stedone Civils as a Civil Engineering Technician, eThekwini Municipality in the Water and Sanitation department (Design Branch) until February 2017 and then as a Senior Civil Engineering Technician (Sanitation Operations) from February 2017 to date.

Some of Mr Nogaga’s leadership roles include being District Secretary (YCL, Johannes Nkosi District 2019), District Secretary (YCL, Eric Stalin Mtshali District, 2017), Zonal Deputy Secretary (ANC, Archie Gumede Zone, 2014), Branch Secretary (ANCYL, Ward 19, eThekwini, 2013) and Branch chair (ANCYL, Ward 19, eThekwini, 2012).

Mr Delani Makaya

is the Executive Chair of Makaya Investment Group. He holds a ND in Cost and Management Accounting obtained in 2005 and a BTech Degree in Taxation obtained in 2016, both from DUT. He also holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Management from MANCOSA, and is currently studying towards his MBA again through MANCOSA.
Mr Makaya is a former Regional Chair of the KZN Youth Chamber of Commerce and the current Provincial Chair of Progressive Youth in Business.
He is a Convocation representative on Council as well as being a member of the DUT Finance Committee. Mr Makaya also served as SRC Secretary General.

Mr Nkanyiso Zondi

is a Human Resources Manager at Sharp Business Services. He qualified with a ND in Human Resources Management in 2007 and a BTech in 2009 from DUT. He is currently studying towards his Masters Degree in Human Resources Management, also through DUT.

Mr Zondi is skilled in problem-solving, analytic thinking, contract management, change management, customer service and staff management, to name a few. He has attended courses in First Aid, Health and Safety, Risk Assessment and close protection skills. His achievements include being a member of the SRC, Sports, Arts and Culture Officer and General Secretary of Housing

Mr Mandla Shange

Matriculated from Mdepha High School. He then obtained his National Diploma and BTech in Human Resources Management (2005-2009) from DUT. He also completed a Municipal Finance Management Programme at the University of Pretoria. He is currently studying towards his Masters in Public Administration at UKZN. Mr Shange has also attended training in Arbitration and Conciliation, Project Management, Public Financial Management Act and Induction workshops, all offered by SALGA.

He was seconded from SALGA, where he worked as an Advisor: Human Resources, Collective Bargaining and Labour Relations, to COGTA KZN as a Project Manager: Youth Development.

His leadership roles and community work include being a Chairperson of the Rural Student Development Society, an NGO, from 2003 to 2006, Peer Educator at DUT from 2005 to 2006. Mr Shange was elected as a member of the SRC of DUT for 3 consecutive years as follows:

2007 – Social & Welfare Officer

2008 – President of the SRC

2009 – President of the SRC

As a member of the SRC, he served on the following committees:

DUT Council and sub-committees from 2007 to 2009

DUT Institutional Forum from 2008 to 2009

DUT Senate and Senex from 2007 to 2009

Student Services Board from 2007 to 2009

He is also the Provincial Chairperson on the South African Youth Council, a position he has held from 2011 to date as well as being the Provincial Spokesperson and member of the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANCYL from 2015 to date.

Mr Mthunzi Gumede

eThekwini Municipality as a Senior Manager: Media Liaison and Spokesperson to the Mayor of Durban. He completed both his National Diploma and BTech in Journalism at DUT in 2006 and 2007 respectively. He is completing his BCom Honours in Marketing Management. Mr Gumede’s skills and competencies include communication, computer literacy, leadership and community work.

Mr Sanele Mkhize

Obtained his BTech in Office Management and Technology from DUT in 2017.
Mr Mkhize has extensive experience in the public sector. He is currently employed at the Maphumulo Local Municipality. His work experience includes working as an office clerk at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, working as a general assistant at Unilever SA (Compass Group) as well as an office assistant for 6 months at the IEC. He also served as an intern at the Community Research Documentary Consultants.
Mr Mkhize has acquired leadership skills with COEGA have completed the Youth Leadership Development Programme.

Dr Zamokuhle Mbandlwa

Education
PhD in Public Administration, Master’s degree in Public Management, Bachelor of Technology in Public Management, National Diploma in Public Management (Durban University of Technology). Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, (University of KwaZulu Natal). Nated Diploma in Public Management (Coastal KZN TVET College). Fundamentals of Leadership Certificate, (North-West University). Political and Social Development Diploma, (Workers College). African Climate Ambassador Certificate, (Ain Shams University in Egypt). International Research Ethics Certificate. Design Thinking Certificate.
Publications
Dr. Mbandlwa have published 45 journal articles in Scopus indexed journals and accredited by DHET. Dr. Mbandlwa have collaborated with esteemed scholars and professors in the field of Public Management Social Sciences and Political Sciences. He has submitted 10 papers that are still being reviewed.
Published Books: 2
Students supervision
He is currently supervising Master’s and Doctoral students in the faculty of Management Sciences and in the faculty of Accounting and Informatics.
Conferences
I presented papers in 12 conferences in different countries.

Working experience
1. Senior Lecturer (Permanent), Department of Public Management and Economics, Durban University of Technology, ML Sultan Campus.
2. Visiting Professor for Kabale University, Uganda.

Membership of University Committees
1. Member, Faculty Research Committee, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.
2. Chairperson of the Institutional Forum, Durban University of Technology, 30 November 2020 to 30 November 2023.
3. Council member of the Durban University of Technology, March 2022 to July 2023
4. Member, Convocation Executive Committee, Durban University of Technology, 30 November 2020 to 30 November 2023.

Membership of Editorial Board
1. Academic Editor, Springer Nature Social Sciences (SN Social Sciences)
2. DUT Faculty of Management Sciences Masters and Doctoral research proposals reviewer.
3. Journal of Public Administration (JOPA)
Work outside University system:
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Monte Vista Two. From February 2020 to current.
Member of the Bellair School Governing Body (2021-2023)
Chairperson of Uguquko community organization, the organization help young people in choosing their careers and advise them about available sponsors. Community development, skills training, poverty eradication programmes.
Professional organizations/ body:
Member in good standing of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM).

Mr Mivuyo Makaba

Matriculated from Margate Middle School. He obtained a National Diploma in Accounting followed by a BTech in Corporate Administration from the Durban University of Technology. He also obtained a certificate in Municipal Finance Management from Summat Training Institute. His skills include leadership and teambuilding, critical thinking and strategic planning as well as being deadline-driven, organised and ambitious. His work experience includes working at Mdeshu Holding assisting with filing and compiling documents for tender buidingMr Makaba is currently employed as a Municipal Finance Management Graduate Trainee at eThekwini Municipality.

Sphelele Mthembu

Mthembu is a public servant with a profound enthusiasm for community engagement initiatives. During his university life, he held the position of President of the Student Representative Council twice, from 2015-2016 and 2017-2018, at the Durban UniversityofTechnology.
As SRC President, he also served in a range of significant university structures such as the University Council, Senate, and Student Services Board.

Moreover, Siphephelo Mthembu is one of the Co-Founders and also serves as the Project Coordinator for Level Six Edumove. This organisation is a Non-Profit Company that focuses on offering academic support and fostering entrepreneurship skills for high school learners who display a strong passion for Engineering Graphic Design subject.

Consequently, he is currently a member of DUT CONVEX and works as a Project Administrator at eThekwini Municipality where he is responsible for administrating a project that accounts
for more than 300 beneficiaries.

His comprehensive knowledge on leadership and policy development will play a significant role in contributing towards creating and executing projects that cater to the needs of DUT Alumni’s and DUT community at large.

Ms Sithokozisiwe Kunene

(also known as Stho) is 44-year-old female from Umgungundlovu. She obtained a National Diploma in Accounting majoring in Accounting and Business Law from Technikon Natal. She also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance, Banking and Investment Management with the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Currently, she is enrolled for a Master of Philosophy in Development Finance with the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
She has over twenty years work experience in the field of accounting, auditing and finance, three of which were at junior management level, three and a half at middle management level and approximately ten years at a Senior Management level.
Stho commenced her public sector Management Accounting experience with the KZN Office of the Premier. She later moved to the KZN Provincial Treasury and was thereafter employed as a Director: Management Accounting with the KZN Department of Transport.

Between the 1st of November 2021 to the 7th of November 2022, she was appointed as an Acting Chief Financial Officer for the KZN Department of Transport. As of the 1st September 2023, Ms Kunene is employed as the Chief Director: Financial Accounting and Supply Chain Management with the National Department of Transport based in Pretoria.
Some of her key career achievements has been serving as an influential member in the multi-dimensional committee which was responsible for the standardisation of occupational roles for Finance practitioners in the public sector across South Africa at National Treasury. Being part of the team that won the Silver Premier's Service Excellence Award from the Chief Financial Office of the KZN Provincial Treasury in 2010 and finally forming part of the team that won the Gold Premier's Service Excellence Award for the most functional, professional and ethical department of the year from the KZN Department of Transport in 2017.
Stho is a highly skilled and passionate Finance Expert with a demonstrated history of 20 years’ experience working mostly within the public sector (National and Provincial offices) both at a Technical, Senior Management and Executive level. She is a driven and focused individual who knows how to set goals and achieve them.

Mr Mthokozisi Mthethwa

is an experienced, hard-working Procurement practitioner with a total experience of 14 years in the public sector, part of which is management experience.

Mr Mthethwa is currently employed as a Purchasing and Disposals Manager (Acting) at eThekwini Municipality. He has also worked as a Purchasing Officer, a Contracts Administrator and Buyer, all with eThekwini Municipality. Mr Mthethwa has a National Diploma in Retail Business Management from Durban University of technology having graduated in 2007, a certificate in Logistics Management Programme awarded in 2013 from the Business Studies Unit,
DUT and a BTech in Management obtained in 2016 from the Durban University of Technology. He is also studying towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance Banking and Investment Management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mr Mthethwa’s skills include among others: Leadership, Customer Service, Analytical Thinking, project Management, Business Development Strategies and Tactical Negotiation. He is also responsible providing extra classes for Grade 10, 11, and 12 pupils around Durban on Saturdays at the Durban University of Technology as well as being responsible for conducting and co-ordinating the winter school projects held in various rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. Mr Mthethwa plays the guitar and his hobbies are travelling, athletics and reading.

Mr Lungisani Msweli

atriculated from Siphosabadletshe High School. He obtained his National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting in 2018 and Advanced Diploma in Management Account in 2022 from the Durban University of Technology. He is currently studying towards obtaining his Post Graduate Diploma in Management Accounting, also from the Durban University of Technology.
Mr Msweli is employed at the University of Zululand as a Store Issue Clerk. Previous employment includes working as an Asset Administrator at Mhlathuze Water as well as being a Student Residence Assistant at the Durban University of Technology. His leadership experience includes being a member of the Student Representative Council at DUT holding the portfolio of Projects and Campaigns from 2015 – 2016 and being the Chairperson of an NPO called Junior Youth development project since 2014. Mr Msweli’s hobbies are music and reading about current affairs.

Mr Andile Dayi

Attended the KwaMakhutha Comprehensive High School. He holds a National Diploma in Engineering: Mechanical, having graduated in 2015 as well as a BTech degree in Engineering: Mechanical obtained in 2020 from the Durban University of Technology.
He is currently registered for a Master of Commerce in Management at UKZN. Some of the courses that Mr Dayi has attended include: Practical Project Management, Sludge Treatment, Introduction to Financial Accounting and Management for Engineers, MIG Management System by Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, FIDIC and GCC contracts to name a few.
Mr Dayi currently holds the position of Deputy Director: Municipal Infrastructure at eThekwini Municipality since December 2020. His previous employment organisations include Transnet Freight Rail, Elangeni TVET College, Huntsman Tioxide Engineering and Jaguar Umhlanga CMH Group.
Mr Dayi’s professional membership affiliations include South African Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Engineering Council of South Africa, Project Management Institute and a registered Project Management Professional.
Mr Dayi enjoys socialising and sports. He also enjoys puzzles especially Sudoku which he feels impacts his analytical skills.

Mr Thami Mkhulisa

currently employed at the KZN Department of Transport as an Assistant Manager: Audio Visual Sub-Directorate and Acting Deputy Manager: Directorate Administration Support Services. He attended Georgetown High School and thereafter enrolled at the Durban University of Technology to study a National Diploma in Photography which he obtained in 2013. Mr Mkhulisa also obtained a BTech degree in Public Management from the Durban University of Technology in 2020.

Dr Themba Msukwini

Matriculated in 1989 at Botleng Secondary School, Delmas. 1996 BSc(Chem & Maths), 1997 Hon(Chem) at University of Fort Hare, 2003 MTech(Chem) DUT – Study of Lead in kerbside soil. 2017 PhD (HRM) DUT – An investigation into the Human Resource Capacity needs to facilitate learner support of Work Integrated Learning. 1996 – 1997 Teacher at Bhofolo Adult Centre in Fort Beaufort.
1999 – 2008 Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at DUT. 2004 – 2008 WIL Coordinator for Chemistry. 2003 – 2008 Community Outreach Projects in facilitating and Chemistry Lab Instructor for science teachers. 2008 to date External Engagement Co-ordinator/Manager as well as deputizing the Director in Co-operative Education at DUT. 2020 – 2021 Acting Director: Co-operative Education & External Engagement Department as well as promoting and supervising 2 PhD and 1 Master’s students for WIL studies in establishing research niche area for Co-operative Education and WIL. 2013 to date SETA funding as a Skill Development Facilitator.
Following the retirement of the former Director of Co-operative Education at the end of 2022, I was again appointed Acting Director for Co-operative Education to date.
Publications: 2017 Published a book entitled ‘An investigation into the HR Capacity for WIL’ – Publisher is Lambert Academic Publishing in Germany. WACE conference proceedings as well as South Africa Journal of Chemistry.
Local and international conferences attendance, chaired sessions and presentations WACE, SACI, THENSA, SASCE, ANALYTIKA, IEASA, WIL AFRICA and GIC.
Dr Msukwini is married and has two boys.

Mrs Cebokazi Luthuli

a God fearing, ambitious, competent, orderly, versatile and goal driven individual. She matriculated in 2007 at Butterworth High School and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Sciences (Business Administration), Bachelor’s Degree in Management, National Diploma in Sport Management, Higher Certificate in Operations Management in Project Management and is in current pursuit of a Master’s Degree at the Durban University of Technology. Mrs. Luthuli has very strong leadership acumen, ability to adapt quickly in an environment, attentive to detail, analytical thinker and solution driven.

She has worked as a Secretary, Project Officer, Fitness Instructor. She has participated in a great range of societies and been in different leadership positions such as the Secretary of the Advisory Committee in the Sport Department at DUT, Head Marshall for the DUT Sport Department volunteering team; First - Year Residence Advisor for three (3) consecutive years at DUT, Matric Fundraising Committee member, 2010 FIFA World Cup setup pass leader to mention a few. Her involvement in these societies/ roles have contributed in sharpening her interpersonal skills, such as team work, organising skills, time management, flexibility and adaptability.

Dr Benita Bobo

a lecturer at the Durban University of Technology, in the Centre for General Education. She teaches General Education modules using a transformative learning pedagogy. Dr Bobo has worked in higher education for several years and is passionate about students’ holistic development. She holds a PhD in Psychology and has multiple publications in journals and books. Dr Bobo’s research interests broadly include community engagement in higher education, community psychology, gender studies, transformative learning, and social justice. Outside of work she enjoys working closely with various marginalised communities and connecting with nature.