VUT GRADUATE UNCOVERS HOW GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES CAN IMPROVE THEIR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FLOURISHING AND SATISFACTION WITHIN THE WORKPLACE
By: Themba Nyovane- 20 April 2023
A study by a Vaal University of Technology (VUT) masters graduate, Thokozile Khumalo, has revealed how government employees can improve their emotional intelligence flourishing and be satisfied within the workplace.
Khumalo graduated for her Master of Management in Human Resource Management with cum laude at this year’s VUT autumn graduations that are taking place this week at the University’s Desmond Tutu Great Hall.
With a dissertation titled: “Emotional intelligence flourishing and satisfaction with life among government employees in the Sedibeng region”, the study sought to highlight the fundamentals of emotional intelligence within existing organisations and their impact towards employees. Notably, the study pointed out that satisfaction with life is a very important aspect in an individual’s life. Also, satisfaction is important to every employee to possess knowledge, talents, skills, and abilities to perform within their respective jobs.
“I wanted to evaluate and see if employees understand the impact of emotions, moreover, are they motivated to reach their desired goals. Are they empathic enough to understand the emotions of people around them, and whether they are able to manage relationships around the working environment,” Kumalo added, whose study was guided by Dr Y van Zyl and Prof C Mafini, as supervisor and co-supervisor, respectively.
The visibly ecstatic and proud self-proclaimed hard worker said her research was a success because its findings provided solutions on how government employees can improve their emotional intelligence flourishing and be satisfied within the workplace. This, the study found, if improved, will allow growth, and holistic wellbeing of employees.
Born and raised in Heilbron, a small agricultural town in the Free-State, Kumalo first set foot at VUT in 2015 in her quest for higher education, where she enrolled for a Diploma then continued to study for her BTech. In 2020 she registered for a Master of Management in Human Resource Management, which she completed in 2022.
Asked how she felt about her latest achievement, she said proudly “I’m a hard-working lady who doesn’t compromise when it comes to education, and I’m always enthusiastic to learn – that is the motivation and driving force behind my achievements today”.