Researcher and lecturer from Sakhile claims success
Dr Vusi can speak a little bit of Xhosa, apart from his fluency in Zulu and English, and is able to follow a conversation in Afrikaans and Dutch.
A Sakhile man, destined to spend time travelling overseas on academic sojourns, returned to South Africa to take up a position as his alma mater, doctorate in hand.
Dr Vusi Mshayisa is the successful product of Madi Combined School and Jandrell Secondary School.
His doctorate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology is testament to studies kicking off in 2008 with a diploma in food technology.
“I did an extended programme of four years and graduated cum laude in 2011,” he said.
A B.Tech followed in 2012 and he excelled, top of the class again, after one year, with the cum laude comfortably under his belt.
The year 2014 saw him leaving for the south of the Netherlands where he gained extensive experience at universities on the continent.
A second masters in 2016 was the outcome.
After the PhD in 2017, the return to South Africa was undertaken.
His speciality in the vast field of study, is food sciences technology.
“It is important that after the crop is harvested and food is processed, it is stored in a safe and wholesome manner,” he also said.
Dr Vusi is a single child with a large family of cousins and nephews.
He is married to Inathi and they are the proud parents of a three-year-old son.
During the telephonic interview, the researcher and lecturer briefly touched on the distinction between the ‘best before’ and ‘sell by’ dates on products.
“The first indicates the optimum nourishment to be obtained from a product whereas the second relates to the store’s protocols.
“The distinction lies in food quality versus food safety.”
The role of vitamins in a diet was deftly covered with emphasis on all a body needs such as proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates. fats, minerals and water.
“Food should be consumed in moderation and variation is also important.”
He believes strongly in exercise, being an avid runner, although not entering competitions.
“A diet should be sufficient to provide what the body needs.
“I also encourage my students to get exercise.”
His classes vary from 80 students to 120.
Dr Vusi can speak a little bit of Xhosa, apart from his fluency in Zulu and English, and is able to follow a conversation in Afrikaans and Dutch.
Covid-19 did not find him wholly unprepared when online classes became the norm.
“I began teaching in 2017 and implemented online teaching as early as that year.”
Dr Vusi received a teaching excellence award in 2021 from the university.
His aim is to bring innovation to the lecture hall.
“I want to support my students in the learning experience,” he commented.
Formula 1 has joined his sporting favourite of soccer and he makes time to read.
His mood will dictate the genre, but Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, was worth a mention.
He is without any doubt, a man who ploughs back into the nation.
