Staff members from the Journalism Programme in the Durban University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design recently took centre stage, earning accolades that celebrate both academic excellence and behind-the-scenes dedication.
Earlier this month, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Media and Communication Studies Dr Theodora Dame Adjin-Tettey and Journalism Programme Secretary Ntando Xulu were honoured at the Faculty of Arts and Design Dean’s Excellence Awards, highlighting the programme’s impact across teaching, research and administration.
Dr Adjin-Tettey’s achievements extended beyond the faculty level. She also received Silver in the Researcher Excellence Award in the Established Researcher category at the DUT ENVISION2030 Institutional Awards. Her scholarship focuses on how digital technologies are reshaping democracy, citizen participation and government service delivery in the Global South.
Her research spans digital democracy, media sustainability, artificial intelligence in journalism, misinformation, climate communication and journalism education, offering both critical insight and practical responses to pressing societal challenges.
Reflecting on the recognition, Dr Adjin-Tettey described the award as deeply meaningful.
“It has made me reflect on my professional journey, and I am incredibly grateful for God’s grace and for my family, who have made many sacrifices to support my growth,” she said.
Dr Adjin-Tettey has published extensively in highly ranked academic journals and is co-editor of the open-access book Communication and Social Change in Africa. She also contributed to the South Africa COVID-19 Country Report, which examined government communication during the pandemic, and co-edited All’s Well (Feehi); Living a Life Guided by Grace and Goodness, documenting the tenure of a former Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana.
She is currently leading collaborative research that critically examines digital democracy in Africa, with a focus on the ethical, technological, infrastructural and structural gaps that limit the continent’s ability to fully harness digital technologies for democratic development.
Meanwhile, Xulu’s Dean’s Excellence Award recognised the essential role of administrative staff in ensuring the smooth functioning of academic programmes.
Describing her role, Xulu said she often serves as the programme’s anchor.
“When everyone has a problem, they come to you to help resolve it. That’s what I enjoy about being an admin person, you must always have the same energy and ensure that everybody feels safe,” she said.
Xulu admitted the award came as a surprise.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was just attending the event after my intern, Sne, encouraged me to go to take a break from work. I didn’t even know the category, and I thought they would only acknowledge academics,” she said.
This is not her first recognition at DUT. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Xulu was named Faculty Assistant of the Year, further underscoring her consistent commitment to excellence.
Together, the awards reflect the strength of the Journalism Programme at DUT, where academic innovation and dedicated support staff work hand in hand to create an environment in which both students and staff can thrive.
