The Durban University of Technology (DUT) will launch a new logo that is meant to represent the Universities move towards the process of decolonisation. The ‘newly revised logo’ features key elements from the current logo. It says ‘DUT’ with a generic font coupled with capital letters spelling out an isiZulu translation of ‘Durban University of Technology’ which is ‘Inyuvesi YaseThekwini Yezobuchwepheshe’.
The logo is planned to be put in use in 2020 and will be used across all DUT communication, products and marketing materials. The University said in a statement that the University Council approved the revised logo in June this year and the work towards the roll out of the updated logo commenced in October.
The University stated that the goal of including IsiZulu in the logo is to promote ‘the primary African language of the region’.
“Whilst we are aware that the university community understands that decolonisation in the higher education sector is more than just revising the logo, we hold the view that a decolonised university in Africa should promote the primary African language of the region. Therefore, revising the existing logo is one of the steps taken towards that DUT brands itself within its local context.”
Current Logo:
New bilingual logo:
The University further explained that the multilingual logo indicates that DUT is serious about decolonising the university structures and placing the university in a local context.
“The revised logo will play a part in helping to move our University towards decolonisation; keeping in mind that decolonisation is not about closing the door to western and northern traditions but rather, making African knowledge the centre-relation to other knowledge traditions, which are all encapsulated in different languages. Therefore, we feel that the addition of isiZulu in the name and logo of our University, forms part of the journey in which this can be encouraged, nurtured and implemented – as we strive to improve lives and livelihoods of our people in the years ahead.”