Staff Member a Top Achiever

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High flying staff member, Ms Dolly Mkize, the acting Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Monitoring and Evaluation Manager on the Pietermaritzburg campus, has been awarded a bursary for her Master’s degree in Safety Management at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

The bursary which covers tuition fees, was granted to her by the South African Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (SAIOSH) for attaining her postgraduate diploma cum laude. Mkize, who has been a member of the SAIOSH for seven years, was also named student of the year in 2019 after she received her Diploma in Safety Management cum laude. ‘I’m literally on cloud nine! I’m not lucky, I’m blessed and everything I have is because of God’s grace and favour,’ she said.

With dreams of obtaining her PhD before the age of 35 and publishing occupational health and safety books that focus on South African universities’ operations and procedures, she remarked that the bursary and pursuing her master’s will propel her career by equipping her with specialised skills that will enable her to assist UKZN to implement new occupational health and safety systems.

Mkize said she is able to balance work and her studies by planning ahead and scheduling her study time using productivity apps. With two older sisters that hold PhDs and a younger brother who is a master’s candidate, this family of high achievers is clearly headed to the top.

Acknowledging her parents and siblings for constantly encouraging and believing in her, Mkize also extended her gratitude to her friend, Ms Baroness Vere for her valued counsel on the health and safety industry.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Supplied