MUT Alumni Recognition Awards

Take a look at the profile of MUT graduates and past students and you will see that MUT is indeed a university of technology in pursuit of excellence.

On Friday 31 May, MUT held an Alumni Recognition Evening at Elangeni Hotel in Durban to recognise and celebrate the achievements of a select few alumni who go out of their way to maintain their relationship with MUT as well as those who have excelled in their respective careers, contributing to the good name of MUT.

Among those who received awards was Sindisiwe Zungu "DJ Cndo" also known as the Finest Lady of House Music, Herbet Msagala, Chief of Ports at Transnet and  Mlungisi Shangase, director of Shangase attorneys to mention just a few. Various companies were also given recognition awards for their contribution to advancement at MUT. It was a spectacular evening with Gagasi FM news manager Alex Mthiyane as the programme director, performance from former idols top 5 contestant, Shekhinah Donnell and an inspiring talk by top businessman, Vivian Reddy.

 The awards were as follows

Philanthropist: Basil Makhathini, MD, Madamu Technologies

Since 2011, he has been a strategic partner towards MUT’s growth. He has donated Ipads and laptops as well as donated the cabling for computer labs in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Every year, he ensures that he recruits no less than 10 graduates from MUT per semester.

Goodwill ambassador: Sifiso Mazibuko

He uses his influence to fight for the cause of MUT. He opens doors for MUT graduates as well as opportunities for MUT in a variety of projects between MUT & Eskom.

Innovative alumni: Gordon Msimang

Originally trained as an electrical engineering technician, Gordon Msimang was one of the first MUT graduates to receive training in radiology equipment in the Netherlands. He has never looked back. Today, he runs the one of the biggest hospitals that use radiology equipment. He also employs MUT graduates.

Leading entrepreneur: TC Madikane, MD Igoda Projects

MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM Igoda Projects were appointed as a member of the professional team to design the Moses Mabhida Stadium which was to host some of the 2010 FIFA World Cup games.

INKOSI ALBERT LUTHULI ICC In 2007/8 Igoda Projects were appointed as members of the Durban International Convention Center Arena design team. They have also designed the ABSA-Eskom IDM, a national energy efficiency programme where they replaced 50,000 lights with 1.22 MW of energy savings. They also implemented an Eskom CFL roll-out.

Start-up entrepreneur: Zama Dlamini

Zama Dlamini is a former Black Management Forum Chairperson at MUT, she went on to join the Construction Seta as a Skills Development and Learnership Advisor where she became the Regional Manager. To date, she is the director of Qualfurn Training and Projects, a  company specializing in accredited training programmes for both employed and unemployed people.

The company is accredited with construction Seta on all construction qualifications,Services Seta on New Venture Creation ,Business Management and Project Management and MICT Seta on End user computing. In a period of less than 12 months we’ve trained more than a thousand learners in different construction trades. We’ve managed to secure contracts worth more than five million rands.

Emerging innovator: Khosonke Mlangeni

He pioneers with solutions to some of the world’s most critical challenges in citizen access to technology. During his internship last year, he designed a machine which loosens and opens bolts for a company where he was doing in-service. The University is in the process of patenting the invention.

Corporate leadership:  Sicelo Xulu

 Mr Sicelo Xulu demonstrates effective corporate leadership as he is responsible for effectively managing his company's resources and inspiring others to do their best work.

Inspiring leadership: Transnet & Eskom

These companies were identified as inspirational leaders for the exemplary way in which they carry out the business of their organizations. The standard of excellence they set is exemplary not only for other organizations but for alumni who are looking into becoming inspirational leaders in industry. Because Transnet and Eskom also employ a large number of MUT graduates, there is hope that the spirit of hard work and excellence within these companies will trickle onto them.

Brand Advocate : Herbert Msagala

When he was promoted to Chief of Ports last year, he made it clear with whoever was interviewing him that he is a product of MUT. He talks passionately about MUT and refers to MUT as "my own Harvard". He says, “What was fed to us has made us to be who we are today”. As an influential person, his endorsement of MUT creates more mileage for the University.

 

Brand activator : Moeti Kgware

He brings the spirit of the MUT brand to life. The objective of Brand Activation is to make brands active in their markets, building their reputations along with results. Most fundamentally, brand activation contributes in creating trust between the customer, the society and the brand

Brand activator : Mollin Mbele

She brings the spirit of the MUT brand to life. The objective of Brand Activation is to make brands active in their markets, building their reputations along with results. Most fundamentally, brand activation contributes in creating trust between the customer, the society and the brand.

Note-worthy career : Sindisiwe Zungu, DJ C-ndo

 

While studying for a Diploma in Environmental Health, she also pursued her passion as a DJ and started learning how to mix at the Durban’s Finest DJ Academy, finally producing her debut album, Finest Lady of House Volume 1 in 2007. She graduated at MUT in 2009.

Remarkable career: Mlungisi Shangase

He digressed from his original MUT Public Management qualification towards studying for a degree in law. To this end, he is the director of Shangase Attorneys and a legal adviser at Umngeni.

Volunterism to MUT: Milton Sambo

Chosen by Eskom, Milton is involved in a range of voluntary projects at MUT.

Volunteerism to MUT graduates: Khulile Mathe

He has assisted numerous MUT graduates to develop business plans.

Social justice administration: Wiseman Kubheka

He works with refugees and goes beyond his call of duty helping them to become assimilated into the South African society and deal with the culture shock. His work is invaluable as it shows refugees that SA is a caring nation in spite of xenophobic incidences that have taken place in certain parts of our country in the past.

Congratulations once more to all who received recognition awards. MUT is proud to be associated with you, keep on pursuing excellence and flying the MUT banner high.

Bongeka Gumede-MUT Alumni Relations Officer

Graduation is not the end, it's just the beginning

Congratulations to all new MUT graduates! We welcome you to the MUT Alumni Connection. Visit www.mut.ac.za/alumni and fill in the online form to get involved.




Graduates at the MUT Faculty of Engineering Graduation on 19
 April 2013

 

Here is a short message from the Alumni Affairs Office.


After three or four years of working hard to complete a tertiary qualification, there is a long sigh of relief, a feeling that you have made it to the top, that you've done all that is needed for success.

 This idea soon fades away, however, upon the realisation that the world does not owe you anything for the diploma or degree that you have just obtained. Instead, you find that you still have to prove your worth. After knocking on numerous doors, you may get no positive response.

You may even have to settle for a less than ideal job that bears no relation to the field of work you studied for. Horror stories have been told of master's graduates sitting at home, or being reduced to nothing more than a tea lady, the company messenger, or delivery boy. Nonetheless, this should not discourage graduates. Don't give up on your dreams when you see the long road ahead of you. Soldier on just like you did through those sleepless nights before exams and assignments. Cry a tear or two but don't wallow in your grief, pick yourself up and keep on believing.

The "we regret to inform you" letters, the enormous amount of money spent browsing for jobs at the internet cafe, those study fees still unpaid for, the hungry faces at home looking to their older graduate sibling, those countless interviews and taxi fares travelling to them. Yes! It's painful, we all know, but soldier on. 

Don't be disheartened; learn from our former President Dr Nelson Mandela who was persecuted for what he believed in. The 27 years he spent away from his family and friends was worth it, as painful as it was. He had hope that one day things would come right. Hope will always be your best friend.

Mandela also understood the art of living, that "after climbing a great hill, one realises that there are many more hills to climb."

To the MUT graduates of 2013, the 25% unemployment rate is high, but that should not deter you from striving to achieve your dreams. You have indeed climbed a great hill, but go on climb some more for this is the art of living. 

Bongeka Gumede-Alumni Relations Officer

gumedebz@mut.ac.za

Khumbulekhaya (Remember home)

Khumbulekhaya is an SABC 1 documentary where viewers write in seeking help to locate and reunite with their long lost loved ones. The process of finding these relatives is usually  very emotional for those being reunited. Tears are shed, laughter is shared, questions are asked, and sometimes hopes are shattered.

The show is a constant reminder that we are never truly happy or at peace until we know that we are loved for who we are.
The average human being craves acceptance and a sense of belonging. Even those who consider themselves independent and self-sufficient have moments when a phone call, word of encouragement, a nod of approval or a hug is all they need.

We seek this kind of simple love and affection from our own immediate families first. By virtue of the fact that we share the same blood, they have an obligation to give us the attention we need.

The need for healthy relationships extends beyond our homes and penetrates into our communities for example at school, at work or our neighbourhood. This explains why we never forget the neighbour who checked on us when our parents weren't home or the teacher who went the extra mile in explaining difficult maths concepts to us or the friend we shared our lunch and secrets with.

Little acts of kindness have helped us to develop deep and lasting relationships with those whom we have crossed paths with. It is these acts of kindness which help us to maintain these relationships and to keep them close to our hearts even when we are far away from home.

The purpose of this forum is to keep the connection strong with those whom we shared special moments and special acts of kindness with, while we were at MUT.  It is also to help us to create even more of these beautiful memories by extending more acts of kindness towards each other. These acts come in the form of advice, encouragement, as well as a simple conversation where we share daily experiences and celebrate one another's achievements.

Although our years as students at MUT are behind us, the memories and connections we built still live on. Pop into MUT Connexion and keep the relationships alive —
 Bongeka Gumede, MUT Alumni Relations Officer