Nokuthula Xinzelele, Senior Administrative Assistant in UP’s Department of Enrolment and Student Administration, chats about her role at UP and meeting challenges head-on.

Tell us about your background.

Prior to joining UP, I was a debt collector for law firm Blake and Associates. I was also a consultant for the Dialogue Group of Standard Bank, and a personal assistant for the Directorate of Liaison in the Department of Community Safety.

What do you enjoy most about your job and why?

My job involves various skills such as professional telephone etiquette and email writing. I also need to have good interpersonal skills, be dependable, and be adept at problem-solving and time management. I enjoy my job because the attained skills enable me to solve problems (specifically student problems).

However, the critical aspect is to manage different individuals from various spheres of the community while trying to address challenges and adhere to the set institutional policy. Through these challenges, I learnt to identify problems, brainstorm possible solutions, test appropriate solutions and analyse results. I enjoy viewing problems as opportunities to grow, and to broaden my understanding while building confidence. It is unfortunate that our workplace context is dynamic, so these steps cannot be implemented logically. Moreover, there is always room for improvement.

What is your least favourite part of the job?

I am not comfortable with having to deal with difficult personalities. As a Senior Administrative Assistant, you are often seen as someone of lesser importance, yet you are one of the first points of contact. But I learnt that some of the challenges emanate from group diversity.

Do you have any suggestions for making UP an even better place to work?

The issue of diversity management needs to be considered within various sections, departments and faculties to rally behind the set strategy of UP 2026 and beyond. To remedy the situation, the following may be considered:

• Set a clear, inclusive vision.
• Increase the quality and quantity of conversations occurring between staff, managers and other top incumbents.
• Consider the whole person and increase involvement.
• Encourage everyone to walk the talk.

What do you consider the most significant accomplishment in your career so far?

Being a single parent has affected my career aspirations. But I know that hope and dreams are possible even in the face of tremendous fear. The way I deal with that is to surround myself with those who feel the same way. My colleagues, community and my two beautiful boys are the seeds of possibility. I’ve been a single mom for some time, and my motto is, “Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead.” I press on to reach the end of the race and to receive the heavenly prize.

What would you like to improve in your section/department and why?

I’d like to reduce paper work and use a more efficient electronic system, and to be equipped with a scanner that scans documents to the Oracle Document Centre. This will help with the scanning backlog we always experience.

What do you do in your free time?

I strengthen my relationship with God by meditating on his word and prayer. I also spend time with my boys, discussing the implications of scriptures.

What are your personal likes and dislikes?

I like truth, honesty and love. The Bible says to “love sincerely, dislike what is wrong and hold on to what is good”. Love makes you forgive others easily, and causes you to have compassion for others, to treat them the way you would like them to treat you. I dislike lying that comes with deception or manipulation.

Quick quiz:

Sport: Volleyball

Food: Vegetarian

Movies: A Cinderella Story

Actors: Idina Menzel, Jennifer Beals and Brandy

Musician: Xolly Mncwango