‘A day without working on an assignment felt like losing a part of myself’ – MUT graduate and MUT Campus Radio DJ
One of the students who graduated this week was MUT Radio personality Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, popularly known as King Afrika. Maphumulo is one of the first DJs at the MUT Radio Station. He graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. Maphumulo said that the course was not easy. “It was quite challenging, but with dedication and collaboration with my classmates, I overcame numerous obstacles. Despite sleepless nights, moments of doubt, and emotional struggles, I persevered. I nearly dropped out due to personal challenges, but I found strength within myself,” Maphumulo said. Hailing from the rural area of Mdumezulu near Umbumbulu, southwest of Durban, he faced network issues during online lectures but remained determined to succeed.
Maphumulo explains that he felt the weight of the programme on his shoulders. “Many of the tasks introduced at this level required absolute focus. The workload was intense: assignments, projects, presentations, and research, with tight deadlines,” he said. Maphumulo said at times, he was overwhelmed, “unsure of where to begin. I learned to prioritise my academic responsibilities. I was one of those students who constantly asked for help and clarification whenever I did not fully understand what I was required to do”, he said.
Maphumulo said that to maximise his chances of getting through the course; he cut down on his time on his social life. Alongside being a postgraduate student, Maphumulo also had other commitments. He was a tutor under the supervision of Hlengiwe Hlengwa, “who was incredibly supportive. I had to prepare thoroughly to deliver effective tutorials and experiment with different approaches to ensure all students understood each learning session”, Maphumulo said.
Maphumulo also had to focus on his broadcasting responsibilities. “Many people think radio is just about playing music and speaking. It is far more complex than that. Preparing for a show often involves detailed planning, deciding on topics, selecting songs that match the theme, and designing promotional posters, especially when we have guests. “I am fortunate to be working with a content producer, Nqobani Gumede, popularly known as Bhut’omncane, who relied on to ease the load for him.