Staff member Jabu Lukhele spends his days inspiring first-year chemistry students as one of the principal technical officers of the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science. A former Latin dancer, Jabu now gets his endorphin fix from road running and spending quality time with family and friends.
As we kicked off May commemorating Workers' Day, we dedicate this series of articles to our staff and their important contribution to the University. In the interview below, Jabu tells us more about his work.
Explain your role at SU?
My role is multi-faceted. I manage and run chemistry practicals, and experiments for the
first-year BSc students, chemical engineers (first- and second-year students), as well as Extended Development Programme (EDP) students.
I also manage the chemistry building for the first-year students, known as the Algemene Chemiegebou. I'm blessed to have four staff members who work with me to ensure that the building operates smoothly and professionally. This job is not a one-man show.
What does a typical day at work look like?
A day at work is never predictable for me, even though there is a set timetable for the practicals that I run and help teach daily. I arrive at the office just before 8 am, to have my coffee fix while checking emails. I have a lot of students coming in with questions throughout the day, as I have an open-door policy. There is never a dull moment in my office. Sometimes there is something unexpected that requires my immediate attention, such as a lift suddenly not working or a blocked drain in one of the laboratories.
How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this role?
I come from the private sector, with experience in the chemistry sector, mostly in mining. I have been a lab technician, a lab supervisor, and a manager, and I owned a company that worked with the mining sector, specifically focusing on iron ore minerals. Having worked in different companies, I was prepared for this role. I arrived at SU with a B-Tech in chemistry, and now I hold an MSc in applied science in chemistry.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?
I mostly enjoy the interaction with the students. Contributing in some small way to shaping young minds of students who will go out there and make a difference gives me joy, and the strength to wake up each day and come to work. I also enjoy being part of the transformation that is taking place within SU. Since I started working here in 2014, there has been a lot of progress in this regard.
I'm passionate about the SU Chemistry Outreach Initiative (SUNCOI) programmes that I have been part of since 2015. It is a pleasure to visit previously disadvantaged schools to interact with pupils and teachers about chemistry. We can show them that it is possible to be a great scientist, irrespective of where you are from. SUNCOI reaches pupils who would otherwise never have considered chemistry as a study option.
Tell us something exciting or interesting about yourself that few people would expect?
People are sometimes surprised to learn what I do, as I don't look like a typical scientist with my dreadlocks and appearance. I have a great interest in fashion, and I'm involved in the industry outside of work and in my private life.
I also used to be a professional solo Latin dancer when I was younger. Now that dancing is not an option anymore, I enjoy running and have participated in many races as a member of a running club. As a Christian, my faith – as well as my family and friends – keep me grounded.
Photographer: Stefan Els
