Sizwe Skhosana, Director of Youth Development Management at the City of Tshwane.
In his new portfolio as the city’s Director of Youth Development Management in the office of the Executive Mayor, Stevens Mokgalapa, the energetic young man has the mammoth task of tracking that the living conditions of the students are conducive and safe, they have access to transport and that they have opportunities for internships.
According to Skhosana, TUT has adequately prepared him for this challenge. “When you have completed your studies at TUT, you’re a well-rounded product. The University prepares you to prosper in all circumstances,” he adds.
The B Tech Tourism graduate founded the DASO (Democratic Alliance Student Organisation) student structure, at TUT’s Pretoria Campus is 2015.
The Mpumalanga-born Alumnus is no stranger to addressing the challenges of the students head-on. Just two days after assuming office as the SRC Deputy Secretary, the “fees must fall” protest commenced. During this time, DASO also advocated and supported free education, which eventually happened. He subsequently served as the Chairperson of Fundraising in the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng. “We approached Minister Pravin Gordon’s office to ensure that DASO was catered for in the National Budget,” he said.
During his student years, Skhosana assumed several leadership roles at the University including serving as the Head Mentor of the University’s Tourism department during his early years of study.
Skhosana emphasised that the University has lived up to its brand promise of “empowering the people”. He said: The University is significantly pro-poor people. It succeeds in producing a high number of graduates annually, while also grooming young people with political aspirations to become world-class leaders.