ISSUE #02 Credits Editor: Andile Dube 031 373 6455/ andiled@dut.ac.za Cover Image: Jono Nienaber/ Gameplan Media
Contributors: Nduduzo Ndlovu, Nomkhuleko Thutshini, Sanele Xaba and Waheeda Peters Images: Jono Nienaber/ Gameplan Media, DUT Communications, Thalente Khomo and Facebook. Layout and Design: DUT Design Unit Publisher: Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) Editor-in-Chief: FoAD Executive Dean, Dr RenĂŠ Smith
Contents AWARDS AND HONOURS Madhoo and Shandu at PPC Imaginarium Awards……………………………………………….01 01 02 Fashion graduate wins China Mohair Design Competition……………………………………02 03 Fashion students ‘Stars of Africa’ at Vodacom Durban July……………………………………………. NEWS 05 Chapman releases updated edition of The New Century of South African Poetry……………………………. 06 University of Valladolid lecturer visits DUT Journalism…………………………………………………………………… 07 FoAD hosts LGBT+ awareness dialogue………………………………………………………………………………………… GRADUATION 08 Excitement fills School of Education’s graduation ceremony ……………………………………………………………. 09 DUT Journalism boasts first female graduate from its Masters programme…………………………………….. 10 An old typewriter launched the career of top TV journalist…………………………………………………………. 11 They dazzled Germany together and now they graduate together…………………………………………………. OUR ALUMNI 12 Video Technology’s Cele leads SuperSport’s all-female crew……………………………………………………………… 13 Twin sisters aim to make an indelible mark in the fashion industry…………………………………………………..
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Putting together this issue of Softcopy, it dawned on me that I have been this magazine’s editor for five years now. This is a job and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. The enormous amount of work that goes into putting one issue together is one that I thrive on. For as long as I can remember I have always had a passion for writing and for telling stories of our people. Not just frivolous stories, but stories of hope, inspiration and courage. Since its inception, in 2015, the aim for this magazine has always been to tell stories of the wonderful work that is done by students and staff members in the Faculty of Arts and Design and to inspire others that nothing is impossible if you work hard. I hope that as you flip through the pages of this issue and other ones, you are motivated and inspired to always strive for greatness in your life. I myself, have always wanted to be an editor of a big magazine, while I am still waiting on the universe to deliver me that dream, I am honoured to be editor of Softcopy.
Editor’s Note
In this issue you can read about how fashion students, Siphiwo Treasure Buthelezi and Tanyaradzwa Tirivanhu dazzled at the Vodacom Durban July. You can read about Fashion lecturer, Nirma Madhoo and Fine Art student, Kenneth Shandu received awards at the PPC Imaginarium Awards held at the University of Johannesburg’s Gallery recently. The Faculty of Arts and Design together with the department of student housing and the HIV/Aids centre hosted an LGBTQ+ seminar to raise awareness of issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students. This really was an interesting and eye-opening dialogue that I wish many of you could have attended. As always, I look forward to hearing your views and suggestions on this magazine. If you have something to share, do not hesitate to contact me on andiled@dut.ac.za /031 373 6455. You can also follow us on Twitter on @DutFoAD and like our Facebook page DUT Faculty of Arts and Design. Until next term, I send my warmest good wishes to you all.
Andile
Awards&Honours
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Madhoo and Shandu at PPC Imaginarium Awards ANDILE DUBE
Fashion lecturer, Nirma Madhoo and Fine Art student, Kenneth Shandu were part of the artists whose work received special recognition at the PPC Imaginarium Awards held at the UJ Gallery recently. Runner-up in the Sculpture Category, Kenneth Shandu.
Madhoo received a special commendation in the film category for her Virtual Reality short film, Azimuth while Shandu was announced as a runner-up in the sculpture category. Madhoo’s short film explores concrete in the Brutalist style, the word, Azimuth is a term denoting a measurement in a spherical system of 3D space. It alludes to the virtual, spherical VR environment of the 360 film and is derived from medieval arabic meaning ‘the direction’. Explaining her concept, Madhoo said, Azimuth is in a non-narrative style of experimental fashion film and it seeks to explore notions of a digital aesthetic, subverting the idea of stereotypical notions of African identities as ethnic ‘Other’. It proposes a glimpse of contemporary South African fashion identities performed in futuristic renders of South African locations, including a scene filmed at the S-Block, Steve Biko Campus (stylised render in the screenshot). The film brief was “conceptualise a film idea investigating the role that concrete plays in our environments”. Madhoo interpreted the brief as seeking new ways of conceptualising and imagining concrete. “Concrete is conceptualised in three elemental states – liquid |solid |ether and these are presented as visual metaphor. The fashioned body is imaged underwater, flying in an urban jungle; and ascending as a fully digitally mediated entity. This collaborative project features Durbanbased artist and performer Lorin Sookool, and fashion from young South African designers, including DUT alumni Shari Akal and Jessica Shuttleworth. It is additionally styled by Jeandre Venter and some scenes utilise Maxine Brook’s hair and make-up artistry skills, both also DUT graduates,” she said. Prizes are awarded across six different categories – Sculpture, Industrial Design, Film, Fashion, Jewellery and Architecture. DUT’s Nirma Madhoo (right) at the awards ceremony.
Awards&Honours
Fashion graduate wins China Mohair Design Competition WAHEEDA PETERS
In 2016 Leandi Mulder (centre) won the 2016 Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award for her collection made entirely of second hand fabrics.
Fashion and Textiles alumni Leandi Mulder is flying the DUT ‘fashion’ flag high. The budding fashion designer who specialises in sustainably designed women’s wear, and who obtained a scholarship to study at the prestigious Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology in China (BIFT), is making her mark in the international fashion industry. She is in China for a year to complete her theory preparation, one year practical and her thesis. BIFT has offered a Masters scholarship to Mulder which covers all tuition, accommodation and a stipend each month. As a student at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, obtaining a HSK Level 3 Mandarin, was a prerequisite (The CI is equally one of the partners to facilitate the BIFT partnership). Thankfully, with the support of some incredible Mandarin lecturers she reached her goal. “I came to China to complete my Masters in September 2018, making this my eight month at BIFT,” she said. She recently entered a national fashion design competition called the 5th China Mohair Fashion Design Competition. 50 Students were chosen across five Chinese universities to participate in this competition, and she was chosen as the overall winner. “This win has furthermore confirmed that I am where I am meant to be and people are appreciating my work even at an international level. There are so
many talented students at this university, coming from all over China and the rest of the world so standards are high and the competition is tough. I am therefore working hard and constantly appreciative of this great opportunity that has been very generously presented to me,” she said. Mulder also said she has settled into a comfortable routine, and is incredibly positive about the next part of her studies at BIFT.
Fashion and Textiles alumni, Leandi Mulder.
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Awards&Honours
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Fashion students ‘Stars of Africa’ at Vodacom Durban July SOFTCOPY REPORTER
Fashion and Textiles students, Siphiwo Treasure Buthelezi and Tanyaradzwa Tirivanhu were part of the top three 2019 Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair. Buthelezi took second place, while Tirivanhu came in at number three. The two showcased their outfits at the Vodacom Durban July which took place at Greyville Racecourse on 6 July 2019. The competition had 143 entries from hopeful fashion students from around the KwaZulu-Natal province. This year’s theme “Stars of Africa”, saw students using ideas, shapes and silhouettes rooted in traditional African culture and then steering these concepts into contemporary and often futuristic outfits. The panel of judges, which included Durban design stalwart Greg Wallace, Sindi Shangase of the Durban Fashion Fair and Invited Designer Kathrin Kidger, enthused over the depth of interpretation of the theme and the high level of construction of the often challenging designs. “I feel very excited more than anything to be a part of Vodacom Durban July student designer competition, a little nervous too because this is my first time competing on such a large scale,” said an elated Tanyaradzwa Tirivanhu. His garment depicts a story about the women of Weya located East of Zimbabwe, and it is also inspired by their embroidery, patchworks and beading. Buthelezi showcased a two piece garment that is fully beaded in various colours to reflect his concept of Africa as one country, instead of it looking like different countries.
Top three in the 2019 VDJ Young Designer Award (from left): Tanyaradzwa Tirivanhu, Makhosazane Ntshangase and Siphiwo Treasure Buthelezi pose with their models.
Tanyaradzwa Tirivanhu with model, Vuyelwsa (GSA).
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News
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Chapman releases updated edition of The New Century of South African Poetry SOFTCOPY REPORTER Arts and Design Retired Professor, Michael Chapman has released a revised and updated edition of his poetry anthology book,The New Century of South African Poetry. The first edition of the book was published in 2002 and featured 450 poems that range from traditional San songs to established figures such as Roy Campbell, N.P. van Wyk, Mazisi Kunene, Douglas Livingstone, Mongane Wally Serote, and Antjie Krog along with maskanda, kiba, praises, and rap. The new edition includes an extra 125 new poems and an addition of a fifth section covering works produced by poets who have made their mark since the early 2000s. It also includes pieces in divergent styles by a wide range of authors – from traditional songs by Khoisan poets to poems by established figures such as Roy Campbell, N.P. van Wyk Louw, Mazisi Kunene, Douglas Livingstone, Mongane Wally Serote and Antjie Krog. Popular poetic forms like maskanda, kiba, praises and rap share the pages with current poets such as Gabeba Baderoon, Rustum Kozain, Danie Marais, Nick Mulgrew and Koleka Putuma who bring with them fresh considerations on issues such as black consciousness, green politics, female subjectivity and middle-class sensibilities. In the revised introduction for the new edition, Professor Chapman identifies a key feature of the poetry: its accessibility to a wide readership. Professor Chapman is an English literature scholar and a well-known figure in South African letters. Apart from being a Retired Professor in the faculty, he was Acting Head of Department for the Video Technology department. He is an Emeritus Professor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His numerous publications include A Century of South African Poetry (1981), Southern African Literatures (1996), Art Talk, Politics Talk (2006) and Green in BlackAnd-White Times: Conversations with Douglas Livingstone (2016). In 2018 he was awarded the Human Sciences Research Council Medal for the Social Sciences and Humanities.
Arts and Design Retired Professor, Michael Chapman
News
University of Valladolid lecturer visits DUT Journalism NOMKHULEKO THUTSHINI
DUT Journalism’s Mrs Deseni Soobben and Ismael Garcia from the University of Valladolid in Spain.
Ismael Garcia, a lecturer from the University of Valladolid visited the Durban University of Technology (DUT), this year on Tuesday (16 April 2019), as part of the Erasmus Mundus Programme. He spent some time with the Journalism students teaching them some of the journalism styles that are used in Europe. “The teaching and learning between South Africa and Europe have a lot of differences because of the social issues between the two countries and the geographical differences,” he said.
Soobben also highlighted that they have plans on taking some of the Journalism students to be part of the Erasmus scholarship which will be for post graduate students, and this can bring great opportunity for them to explore the world and gain some of the journalism styles that are used in Spain Head of department for Media Language and Communications, Ayesha Mall emphasised that the Erasmus Programme allows for staff mobility between the two universities and within Erasmus Programme.
“The partnership they have with the University of Valladolid goes back when Dr Alicia Torres visited DUT in 2016 as a visiting academic; then the Head of the Journalism programme, Ayesha Mall, went across on an Erasmus scholarship. I also went last year and we already have two staff members from Spain who have visited DUT. The language of instruction in Spain is Spanish, however we did not have a problem with the language because the students were very interactive. I think we are more like friends now rather than colleagues across the ocean, and it was wonderful having Garcia here at DUT,” said Mrs Deseni Soobben, DUT Journalism lecturer.
The Erasmus Mundus Programme has given the Durban University of Technology academics and students an opportunity to study at the University of Valladolid in Spain. The Erasmus Mundus Programme is a European higher education curriculum which aims to enhance the quality of education by ensuring diversity through different cultures.
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FoAD hosts LGBT+ awareness dialogue Sanele Xaba
FoAD’s LGBT+ panellists, Anathi Gobeni, Siya Khumalo, Hlengiwe Buthelezi and Nathan Thomas. The Faculty of Arts and Design together with the department of Student Housing & Residence Life and the department of Student Governance held a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender+ (LGBT+) Awareness Dialogue at the Arthur Smith Hall, City Campus in Durban. This event was not only aimed at raising awareness but to also commemorate LGBT Pride Month. LGBT Pride month reflects on the stonewall riots that took place end of June 1969. Due to these riots, various pride events are being held during the month of June in order to recognise the role of LGBT people in the world. Welcoming guests at the event was the Faculty of Arts and Design Executive Dean, Dr René Smith who highlighted the importance of celebrating diversity in our society. “We need you to help us so that everyone is heard. We don’t have all the answers that you might have but we can create more inclusive spaces that accommodate everyone regardless of their sexuality. We need to create spaces that give everyone a sense of belonging and not feel less important,” she said.
Imbewu: The Seed actress, Anathi Gobeni emphasized the importance of such a dialogue especially for an institution of higher learning. “This event will teach us about LGBT, we hope that by the time everyone leaves here, they will know the differences of LGBT and we will go out there and make an impact as well as change people’s perceptions,” said Gobeni. During the event many attendees expressed how they have at least once in their lives battled with the idea of fully knowing their sexuality. Others expressed gratitude at the Faculty of Arts and Design for taking the initiative to host such a much-needed dialogue. The event was sponsored by the department of Student Housing and Residence Life, Faculty of Arts and Design and Department of Student Governance at DUT. Various guests from all walks of life, including students and external guests attended the event.
GRADUATION
Excitement fills School of Education’s graduation ceremony WAHEEDA PETERS Spectacular dance moves, traditional attire and sophisticated hairstyles dominated the Faculty of Arts and Design’s (FoAD) School of Education graduation ceremony held at the FJ Sithole Hall, Indumiso Campus, Imbali. FoAD saw 220 students graduate with their degree of Bachelor of Education, six graduates receiving cum laude and two receiving the prestigious deans merit award. DUT’s Arts and Design Executive Dean, Dr René Smith congratulated all those who had graduated, encouraging all to come back to further their studies as they are the roles models for future generations. For Khulekani Bhengu, dressing up in his traditional isiZulu attire was important to him. “It is an important day for me so having my traditional
School of Education graduate, Khulekani Bhengu.
spear, shield and clothes was important to me and my family. I am proud of who I am and where I come from and I wanted to show everyone on my grad day,” he said excitedly. Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Thandwa Mthembu, also added his congratulatory message to the graduates, saying that graduation was an important milestone for a graduate, and those who had graduated were the ‘cream of the crop’. “Always remember to do things you are entrusted with the right way, with dedication, honesty, integrity, and with excellence and accountability,” he said.
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GRADUATION
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DUT Journalism boasts first female graduate from its Masters programme NDUDUZO NDLOVU
Journalism Masters programme first female graduate, Melissa Mungroo.
Journalism programme conferred its Masters Degree to the first female candidate since the inception of this programme, when Melissa Mungroo obtained her Masters Degree in Journalism at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus in Durban recently. Mungroo is excited to be the first female to be conferred with a Masters degree in Journalism at DUT, and to be the first person in her family to obtain a Masters degree.“I hope my achievement spurs other young women to pursue their degrees and make a success of themselves. I plan to pursue my PhD in the future looking at gender construction in media particularly in literature and movies,” she said. Her study focused on the First Things First campaign and the responses of firstyear University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students to the campaign posters. The campaign is a project of the Higher Education and Training HIV and AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) that emphasises counselling and testing to reduce HIV and AIDS prevalence amongst students. The campaign posters encourage students to get tested and know their HIV status.
“The majority of participants understood the campaign messages, which they cite as ‘get tested’ and ‘know your HIV status’. The findings indicate that students accepted that the posters encourage them to test for HIV but that stigma, personal fears and the social environment could deter them from testing,” said Mungroo. According to Mungroo themes generated were gender construction, peer pressure and sexual identity; stigma attached to HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) and alternative media for HIV and HCT awareness. “Themes were indicative of what students found to be important factors that future HIV programmes could reflect on and incorporate into their campaigns,” she added. She added that she is also currently working on publishing her Masters research in an accredited academic journal and plans to contribute towards knowledge production.
GRADUATION
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An old typewriter launched the career of top TV journalist NDUDUZO NDLOVU ENCA’s KwaZulu-Natal based journalist Dasen Thathiah, graduated with a BTech in Journalism during the Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts and Design autumn graduation ceremony. Thathiah shared his fascinating journey of how he enrolled for an Information Technology (IT) programme after matric but soon realised that journalism was his true passion. “Although I didn’t get to journalism immediately, but I became obsessed with the idea of learning about journalism while studying IT. So much so, I talked my way into a journalism entrance assessment at DUT while accompanying a friend to his registration in 2003,” he said. He started writing at a very young the age, using a typewriter his mother gave him when he was seven years old. “It was thrown out by her employer, but it was gold to me. It was the tool I used to type my first story. I’m not sure how good it really was, but my parents told me it was great and that’s what I will go with,” he said. eNCA journalist and Journalism graduate, Dasen Thathiah. The multi-award winning Journalist said even though the accomplishment of this degree has been pending for some time, he is ecstatic to have finally achieved it despite his hectic schedule. “It was no easy feat. 2018 was one of the busiest years of my career. I travelled a lot, covered some really taxing stories and had extremely long days. BTech classes are full-time and there was no way I could attend every lesson. My lecturers understood this, and made concessions around attendance where they could. I was very fortunate that my editors supported this, and I was able to shuffle my days around in this way.” Fast – forward to 2019, and Thathiah is now a reputable and multi – award winning journalist, who is admired by his peers within the media industry. He has won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award on eight occasions. His illustrious career has seen him being featured on many international broadcasting platforms such as the BBC in London and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation.
GRADUATION
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They dazzled Germany together and now they graduate together NDUDUZO NDLOVU
DUT’s Drama and Production Studies students after their graduation.
It was a proud moment for talented Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Drama and Production Studies students, who were part of the cast that performed at the Folkwang Shakespeare Festival 2018 in Essen, Germany. This group of students graduated together during the Faculty of Arts and Design’s autumn graduation ceremony. Head of Department of Drama and Production Studies, Professor Debbie Lutge, who also directed the play, The Taming of the Shrew, which received a standing ovation from the audience in Germany, said that she was very proud of the achievements of this group of talented DUT students. “Witnessing history being made as the second group of DUT Drama and Production Studies students experience more standing ovations at the Folkwang Shakespeare Festival 2018 in Essen, Germany – is a moment that touches your heart with a deep love impossible to describe; a moment that makes you hold your breath in thanks; a moment that makes you so proud of the journey of these beloved young performers that you weep with joy,” she said proudly.
One of the students who was part of the group, Lulama Nyembezi thanked Prof Lutge for her support and guidance throughout their journey, he also recalled his experience in Germany. “I can’t take away that being part of the selected group to go to Germany was definitely a lifetime opportunity, one has to be entirely grateful for. Not only did we go to represent DUT, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa but Africa as a whole. We always knew what was expected of us as a group and we had to make sure that we prepare ourselves fully. Prof Lutge was truly there with us every step of the way in making sure that we are ready to perform at an international level,” said Nyembezi.
Our Alumni
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Video Technology’s Cele leads SuperSport’s all-female crew ANDILE DUBE Video Technology alumni and SuperSport Producer and Director, Nono Cele led an all-female crew for the channel’s live coverage of the Nedbank Cup semi-finals which saw Bidvest Wits take on Chippa United at Bidvest Stadium. Cele’s achievement in leading SuperSport’s first production where 90% of the crew involved are female is nothing short of amazing as sports broadcasting is considered a male dominated territory. “It was a privilege to lead the team as a director on the day, a job that I used to daydream about when I was a third year student at the Durban University of Technology in 2006,” she said. She said directing has been part of her journey for a few years now but this particular production stands out to her for three reasons: “It was a Nedbank cup quarter-final where skilled, capable and talented women were given a platform to shine (and the teams rewarded us with 8 great goals!)” This opportunity also reminded Cele of why she chose to peruse a career in the broadcast industry. It has also inspired her to push boundaries, tell stories, and motivate others while doing something she enjoys. “It was confirmation that our dreams as people are valid and we ought to pursue them with everything we have. We have a tendency of allowing our fears, shortcomings and mistakes to blind us, rob us, and keep us from being all that we are capable of being. We doubt, we argue, we fret— when the only thing to be done is to believe,” Cele said. Cele who has been in the broadcasting industry for 10 years thanked her crew for the support they gave her on the day. “Being part of such a prestigious project in my short 10 year journey in the broadcasting industry further inspired me to dream even bigger. I’m grateful to every crew member who was part of the production on the day, and the management that came up with this vision and supported us.” She continued by saying: “Our dreams deserve our hard work, commitment, perseverance and sometimes, our tears— that has been the crazy combination that has brought us thus far.”
Video Technology alumni and SuperSport Producer and Director, Nono Cele.
Our Alumni
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Twin sisters aim to make an indelible mark in the fashion industry WAHEEDA PETERS
The Department of Fashion and Textiles has been at the forefront in guiding and showcasing the amazing ‘fashion’ talents of DUT graduates. Two recent fashion alumnae are excited about their future in the fashion industry and are striving towards making DUT proud of their creative talents, combined. The dynamic twins Nishthi and Nivadni Sewnath want to make an indelible fashion mark in the industry, going forward. They both recently graduated Cum Laude for their Bachelor of Technology degrees in Fashion. “It was an honour to achieve this degree, it was the most incredible feeling ever achieving this BTech degree with my twin sister. It felt unreal achieving this cum laude pass but this was achieved through the motivation and constant support of our family and lecturers at the Fashion and Textile Department,” said Nishthi Sewnath.
Fashion twins, Nishthi and Nivadni Sewnath have big dreams.
For Nivadni Sewnath, it was an amazing experience throughout the one year. “Gaining so much of knowledge through theory and experimenting/manipulating fabrics,” she said. Both sisters stressed that even though they studied the same field, they are not competitive with each other. They always work together in any situation or task and do not find the need of competing against one another. “We feel that we will achieve everything that we want in life by working as a pair. There will always be times that we will learn from each other by combining our ideas,” they added. Surprisingly, both sisters are also working together at the same company called Gemelli. Their aim is to gain experience as junior designers in the manufacturing industry. Both have reiterated that their future goal is to have their own brand and open their own fashion business. Their ultimate plan is to learn and create more unique fashion garments. “I would also like to have an online store that will be used to sell my merchandise,” added Nishthi Sewnath.
Twins Nishthi and Nivadni Sewnath graduated with National Diplomas in Fashion from Durban University of Technology in 2017.
