Softcopy issue four 2015

Newsletter

In this issue 2016 Calendar inside Shange makes Win a Home Top 3 Drama’s Mchunu labelled as SA’s new “It-Girl” TIP student pens winning book How 2015 did it for HoDs Journalism’s Liam Joyce living his life like its golden

Durban University of Technology / Faculty of Arts & Design

Issue Four 2015

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Contents

Awards & Honours Shange makes Win a Home Top 3 12 2015 Mbele’s year of triumph

13 National competitions for Graphic Design and Fine Art students 14 Drama Awards a glitzy affair 15 Vodacom Journalist of the Year award for Shaikh 16 TIP student pens winning book 17

News Drama’s Mchunu labelled SA’s new “It-Girl” 18 Le Roux scoops top prize at DUT Fashion Show 19 Points De Suspension simply too beautiful for words 20 Drama students tackle human trafficking and domestic violence21 Dance Motion USA’s Blanco visits the Drama Dpt 22 Putting student money matters in the spotlight 23 Aha! 100 Must Read Texts 24

Feature How 2015 did it for HoDs

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Alumni Journalism’s Liam Joyce living his life like its golden Video Technology’s Bongi Maseko lands his dream job

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Happy Festive Season and New Year 2016

Durban University of Technology / Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Four 2015

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Editor’s Note A friend of mine recently asked me if I have achieved everything that I had planned at the beginning of the year. My answer of course was no. He then replied by asking what went wrong? And I said I don’t know, I guess time just flew.

Being somewhat of an Oprah Winfrey, he gave me a lecture on the importance of taking stock of all your plans and aspirations in order for you to be accountable.

I suppose he is right. I mean who else can you blame if you end up not achieving your goals? So this accountability is accountability to yourself and not anyone else.

The trouble with not having a goal is that you spend your life running up and down and not achieving anything for yourself.

The secret behind successful people in the world is in their daily routines and plans they have made to achieve set goals and objectives for their lives!

Putting together this issue has been fun, and it has really been a reflective exercise for me on where we need to improve next year.

Congratulations are in order for Dr René Smith who has just been appointed our Executive Dean, after acting in the position for a number of years.

In this issue of Softcopy you can read about Sfiso Shange who made it to the top 3 of SABC3’s Win A Home competition, and other students and staff members doing amazing things.

Being a journalist myself, my heart was filled with joy when I heard that former journalism student, Nabeela Shaikh won the regional award in the Editor’s Choice section of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year.

As always we look forward to hearing your views on this magazine or if you have any stories you’d like to share, do not hesitate to send me an email on andiled@dut.ac.za. You can also follow us on www.facebook/dutartsanddesign, Instagram @dutartsanddesign and Twitter @DutFoAD. Use the hashtags #Softcopy and #LoveArt&Design when commenting.

Until next year, happy reading!

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Andile

Durban University of Technology / Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Four 2015

VISION To be a preferred Faculty for Design and the Arts

MISSION To educate and inspire a new generation To advance creativity To engage interdisciplinary knowledge

VALUES Discovery – We encourage wonder and social innovation through creative expression and technology.

Integrity – We demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles, and encourage trustworthy, dependable and honest behaviour.

Accountability – We promote a culture of openness & transparency, and take responsibility for our actions.

Ubuntu – We recognise the interconnectedness of people & systems, and promote collegiality, teamwork and leadership.

Professionalism – We behave in a manner that promotes quality enhancement and responsiveness to student and staff needs.

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Dean’s Corner educate. create. Engage

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René

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t’s hard to believe that 2015 is almost over. As the year draws to a close, our faculty is slowly finding a new equilibrium after a few years of successive changes. Significantly, the posts of Executive Dean and Deputy Dean have been filled and our faculty strategic plan approved at the last Faculty Board of the year, after what seemed like a lengthy consultative process. Staff recognition is an important part of our plan and our vision to be a preferred Faculty for Design and the Arts.

Our recent Faculty End-of-Year Luncheon included Staff Recognition Awards. This year we integrated our Faculty Research Awards, launched in 2014, allowing all staff to show support to researchers and supervisors in the Faculty. The Dean’s Award was also launched and this year recognised Curriculum Design and Development.

The Faculty’s Curriculum Renewal Project (CRP) Team was awarded the Team Award and Piers Carey, the Individual Award for his contribution to the design and development of the PhD in Visual and Performing Arts for which we now have full approval. The CRP Team has worked exceptionally hard, reviewing submissions ahead of Faculty approval. They do this work over and above their respective responsibilities and essentially on a voluntary basis – for the benefit of Faculty. The Task Team formed in 2014 has seen traction in 2015, due in part to the commitment of the Chair and team members. A huge thank to the CRP Team, curriculum champs and other colleagues who have helped to move us forward. The CRP Team welcomes support; if you are interested and able to commit, please do volunteer.

It has been an incredibly busy and productive year and there are so many people to thank. For the second year running we brought together colleagues located on six different campuses.

At our Faculty Luncheon, we ‘broke bread’ together as lecturers, technicians, cleaners and support staff... In doing so we imbibe the value of ubuntu: we are because of others. Our interconnectedness is our strength.

Here’s wishing you and yours a blessed festive season. I hope you find time to rest, and to savour the quiet and happy moments.

Happy Holidays!

Deputy Dean’s Desk With the year coming to an end, I should like to wish all colleagues and students a Happy Festive Season.

2016 has been a very full and challenging year in the Faculty of Arts and Design and yet it has also been a year full of achievement and success for both staff and students. I can think of many creative projects undertaken this year, some fascinating research seminars and workshops, guest lectures, theatre productions, exhibitions and so much else. One of the real highlights was the DUT DigiFest which is the brainchild of our Executive Dean, Dr René Smith.

The year has seen major advances in the field of Curriculum Development which will lead to a wider range of qualifications offered by the Faculty as well as to newly designed courses which will be relevant in a modern and changing world. We will in future be offering a PhD in Visual and Performing Arts which sets the tone for the overall aspirations of our staff and students, emphasizing creativity alongside intellectual engagement. We look forward to the year ahead!

Finally, I should like to say thank you to all staff and students who’ve gone out of their way to make this year a success. I hope you all have a well-deserved rest and will return refreshed for the new academic year.

“Engagement” with “achievement” Prof Pearce

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I hope you all have a well-deserved rest and will return refreshed for the new academic year.

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FoAD Year-end Thanksgiving and Staff Recognition Luncheon Dressed in red, black and white FoAD staff celebrated 2015 in style at the year-end luncheon on 27 November. They filled up marquee at City Campus where various awards were given to those that had made notable strides in the outgoing year. Dr RenĂŠ Smith thanked everyone for their contribution towards making 2015 a successful year for the faculty.

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Awards & Honours

Shange makes Win a Home Top 3

Win A Home Top 3 finalist, Sifiso Shange.

ANDILE DUBE AND NOXOLO MEMELA

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Interior Design graduate and street art loving Durbanite, Sifiso Shange has made a name for himself after making the top three of the second season of SABC3’s reality competition show, Win a Home: The Design Edition.

The advertiser-funded show which came to an end last month featured 14 aspiring interior designers who went head to head in design challenges that pushed them, and their imaginations to the limit week after week.

Shange and the other three finalists were judged by a panel of experienced judges in the interior design and property industry and the winner, Jacoline Sema, walked away with the grand prize of R100 000.

He might have missed out on the big prize but he says being on the show was a worthy experience he wouldn’t trade for anything.

“It’s been such a bliss experience and I’ve learnt so much about myself as a creative person and as an individual. The experience has been a life changing experience filled with so much growth for the future ahead,” he said.

He said: “The competition was a great platform for me to showcase my deep passion for design, art and creativity. I am highly motivated by greatness and positivity. My career and I are closely aligned as I live a life inspired by creativity.”

In the show’s episodes, Shange was seen working late nights and early mornings. Along with the other creatives, he moved from room to room passionately aiming to create beautiful, liveable spaces.

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Awards & Honours

2015 Mbele’s year of triumph Interior Design lecturer, Siyanda Mbele.

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Ndebele, Venda and Zulu patterns in the products, which are interpreted into a novel aesthetic that also influences the shape of the products’ legs.

Speaking about his achievements he said: “It feels great to reach a goal, it’s an indication that I’m on track; it validates that I need to keep growing and learning. Also my team that I work with – Family and friends – it’s great for them to see that what we work on together is slowly becoming a trusted brand.”

Growing up, Mbele wanted to make cars but while studying mechanical engineering in high school, he realised he liked graphic design but ended up choosing interior design. Mbele is inspired by other creatives who, regardless of age or background, push the boundaries in order to achieve their dreams. “Also African cultures are very interesting to me, a lot of my design style stems from African patterns,” he concluded.

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It has been a year of triumph for Interior Design graduate and part-time lecturer, Siyanda Mbele. The 24-year-old who is also an entrepreneur was earlier this year named South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Design institute’s Design Candidate.

He was one of the artists that exhibited at the 100% Design South Africa which took place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in August.

On top of that, Mbele was awarded a scholarship by the Southern Guild Design Foundation and he was named as House and Leisure magazine’s 100 rising stars 2015.

Mbele is the owner of Pinda, which designs and manufactures handpainted furniture inspired by the uniqueness of South African cultures.

His designs provide an unexpectedly modern variation of African furniture and incorporate South African cultural references. He uses

Awards & Honours

National competitions for Graphic Design and Fine Art students ANDILE DUBE

Graphic Design Students at the Gold Pack Awards, Megan Jeanes, Nontobeko Kunene, Aalia Jhaveri and Frank kalala (Graphic Design lecturer)

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DUT’s Faculty of Arts and Design students once again proved that they are a force to be reckoned with. Six students in the Graphic Design and Fine Art programmes shined in two national competitions. Graphic Design student, Nontobeko Kunene was announced as winner of the Back to School Stationary category at the recent 2015 Student Gold Pack competition hosted by The South African Institute of Packaging.

Kunene’s winning project titled Pepstores: Moving Forward with Malume was described as a simple but highly engaging concept where the packaging turns into a reusable toy that would appeal to a broad spectrum of the school going market. For this category students were challenged to create a ‘back-to-school’ themed pack for a basic item/type of stationery or a combination of basic items.

Their packaging solution had to communicate clearly the attributes of the item/s it contains and promote the use of the items in a school environment. Further, the on pack communication and graphics had not only to add value to the basic stationery item/s but also entice the consumer to buy the product over all the competing brands in this category.

Two Graphic Design students, Megan Jeanes and Aalia Jhaveri were announced as finalists in the Promotional Gift Pack and In-Flight Meal categories, respectively. Also this term, three Fine Art B.Tech students, Eugene Hlophe, Thami Tonga and Zanele Nkosi were finalists in the Sasol New Signatures competition which took place in Johannesburg. The students’ work can be viewed on http://www. sasolsignatures.co.za/sasol-new-signatures-2015-finalists.

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Awards & Honours

Drama Awards a glitzy affair ANDILE DUBE AND NOXOLO MEMELA

Drama students performing a duet at the Courtyard Theatre Awards.

Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) students strutting at the 2015 Sustainable Living Exhibition.

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t was glitz and glamour at the 2015 Courtyard Theatre Awards hosted by the Department of Drama and Production Studies last month Students who were dressed to the nines couldn’t contain their excitement as more than 20 awards were given to top performing students.

Organised mainly by second year students for those in third year, the award ceremony saw not just the students being celebrated, but a token of appreciation also being given to members of staff: part-time, permanent and external. Giving awards to the two general workers in the Department, Stephen Van Dyk, Head of the Drama Department, stressed the importance of appreciating everyone that forms part of the Department. “Talk is cheap.

year in education: “A year in which the national student body has collectively found a unified voice and has used it to articulate clearly their demands and frustrations. I don’t think our fledgling democracy has before encountered such a strong single student message communicated so uncompromisingly,” she said.

Thompson who has forged a career in the creative industries in Durban for all her professional life said she has learned that if

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you respect yourself and the work you doothers will be encouraged to respect you too.

“I have learned that excellence is respected where ever and whoever you are. Don’t be precious – don’t be a diva – be a team player – stop with the selfies for just one moment and shoot outwards – at your colleagues and associates and the world around you,” Thompson said.

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It’s what you do that matters. It doesn’t matter whether you are an academic, student or a worker within the department, your role in this department is just as important as everyone else,” said Van Dyk as he handed two picture frames to Senamile Nkosi and Philile Madlala. Speaking at the ceremony, publicist and freelance journalist, Illa Thompson said it was an honour for her to be speaking to the students at the end of what can only be described as a watershed

Awards & Honours

Nabeelah Shaikh, winner of the regional award in the Editor’s Choice section of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year.

Vodacom Journalist of the Year award for Shaikh SOFCOPY REPORTER

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Journalism graduate and Sunday Tribune’s young and upcoming reporter Nabeelah Shaikh has scooped the regional award in the Editor’s Choice section of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year.

Shaikh, who matriculated at Fairbreeze Secondary School in 2010, has been hailed as one of the journalists who can push boundaries to get stories and share them with the country and the world.

She has been in the industry for just two years, but she is already recognised for her ground breaking assignments.

“It feels amazing to win this award. I didn’t expect this. It’s an honour to achieve my first award at the age of 23,” she said.

When asked what this award meant to her, the Durban University of Technology B.Tech graduate said that it motivates her to continue to be the best journalist she can be. “It means that there’s no going back. Once you’re on the level of an award winning journalist, you have to keep the name going and that’s what I plan to do in the years to come.”

While many get into journalism to gain fame or thinking that it is a glamorous profession, for Shaikh, the profession is no gilts and

glam but it is about making a significant contribution to humanity through her reporting.

Giving advice to those who would like to pursue the career after schooling, she said all it takes is hard work and dedication. “If you want to be a journalist, put in the hours, the effort and you will reap the rewards afterwards,” said Shaikh.

Her talent became eminent after she wrote an article titled: Isis wants you- how we cracked the secret route, which was published in Sunday Tribune in March this year (2015). The article involved making contact with South Africans who alleged they were fighting for Islamic State. She faced threats from members of the organisation and criticism from the local community.

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Awards & Honours

TIP student pens winning book SOFTCOPY REPORTER

TIP student, Sphumelele Ntshangase (centre) at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

with the purpose of selling her body parts.

“So I thought if I write a book highlighting this, many kids will know that it’s wrong to miss-treat someone just because they are different from you,” said the budding writer.

The competition was open to all members of the public including reading and writing clubs. Commenting on her win Ntshangase said: “This was my second time entering the competition, so when I heard I had won I didn’t believe it, I mean there are so many talented writers out there whom have been writing for ages.”

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Translation and Interpreting Practise (TIP) third year student, Sphumelele Ntshangase’s book, Inkondlo KaSmanga won first prize in the department of Arts and Cultures’ isiZulu Children Story competition.

Ntshangase’s book which will now be published by Macmillan Publishers tells the story of a young boy named Smanga who is bullied by his fellow school mates because he suffers from albinism.

During a cultural show hosted by the Department of Arts and Culture and Basic Education, staged at his school, Smanga decides to pen and recite a touching poem expressing how he feels when he is bullied by his peers because of his condition.

In his moving poem, Smanga asks his peers to accept him for who he is because he didn’t chose to be the way he is. While deciding on a topic to write about, Ntshangase was listening to the news when she heard a story of an albino girl who was murdered by her boyfriend

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News

Drama’s Mchunu labelled SA’s new “It-Girl” ANDILE DUBE

Zonke Mchunu on the set of Muvhango in Auckland Park.

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Muvhango viewers knew something big was coming when Thandaza’s long-lost niece Imani Nkosi played by DUT’s third year Drama student Zonke Mchunu, unexpectedly showed up on her doorstep; with her beautiful slender frame, glowing dark completion and immediately locking eyes with Thandaza’s husband, Ranthumeng.

Since then a love triangle filled with fascinating twists and turns involving adultery, an unplanned pregnancy and a marriage proposal built up between the three characters that has seen the SABC2 soapie climbing up the viewership ladder.

Every night after an episode of the popular soapie which is one of the most watched shows in the country trends on twitter with viewers expressing their feelings at the griping storyline brought to life by seasoned actors Sindi Dlathu as Thandaza, Brian Themba as Ranthumeng and our very own Mchunu.

In just a few months since her arrival on the show, Mchunu has been called 2015’s breakout TV vixen and labelled by some as South Africa’s new “It-Girl”.

In a recent interview with Sowetan LIVE Mchunu said about her character: “Imani is a bad girl. As much as she loves her family and she respects her elders, she always puts herself first. She’s that

girl that goes ‘as much as I don’t want to hurt anyone, these are my feelings and they cannot be ignored.’”

The 23-year-old budding actress hails from rural KwaZulu-Natal and is also a contemporary dancer and former beauty pageant model.

Before she enrolled with the drama department, Mchunu dropped out a year into studying towards a civil engineering qualification due to financial difficulties.

Before getting her big break on Muvhango, Mchunu had a stint on SABC 1’sprimetime soapie Uzalo.

She also told Sowetan LIVE: “I’d go for auditions. I’d travel from Durban to Jo’burg and back. I’d pay for everything. I had to hustle.

When you desperately want something, you do anything in your power to make it happen.”

“When I got cast on Muvhango in April I was happy, excited and nervous at the same time because it was something that I wanted to do all my life and now that it was becoming a reality I didn’t know what to do. I had to prove myself and it was worse for me because I was away from my family, they are the people that always keep me going. But it was a nice feeling,” Mchunu said.

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Le Roux scoops top prize at DUT Fashion Show SIHLE NDEBELE

Le Roux at the DUT Annual Fashion Show 2015

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clothing with her mom and they have a wedding studio where they make wedding garments and she inspired me and I came to study because of her. My designs are inspired by India,” she said.

Le Roux also said that her dream is to go to India and purchase beautiful fabrics in different colours and bring them all to South Africa to work with.

The annual event is organised by DUT’s Department of Fashion and Textile. The show showcased the designs of 38 third-year DUT students, with the best 20 ranges featured at the final showing on the last day (Friday, 2 October 2015).

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The finale of the DUT Annual Fashion Show 2015 saw Fashion and Textiles third year student Natasha Le Roux scoop Best Range on Show award. Le Roux walked away with a cash prize of R25 000 and a laptop. The show which has become a must attend event for fashionistas was held at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, DUT Steve Biko Campus. This year’s theme was Incarnation, a word derived from the Latin word incarnates meaning “to make flesh”.

“I am little bit shocked but am super stoked,” said an excited Le Roux. “I think I won this award because of hard work and a lot of dedication and passion for sure. One of my friends used to do

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Scene from Points De Suspension.

Points De Suspension simply too beautiful for words SOFTCOPY REPORTER

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The duo of French Reunion’s Cirquons Flex Company, Virginie Le Flaouter and Vincent Maillot received a well-deserved standing ovation from an impressed audience after their superb performance at DUT’s Courtyard Theatre last month.

The super-talented duo shared an imaginative story, Points De Suspension, a beautiful encounter with love and imagination. Points De Suspension is a combination of aerial acrobats, a Roue-Cyr wheel and ground artistry.

Together, Le Flaouter who trained at the National Circus School of Montreal, and Maillot, a self-taught artist, expressed the vibrant and enriching collision between music and contemporary dance.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience was made possible by the Alliance Française de Durban; in partnership with the Durban

University of Technology and the French Institute in South Africa (IFAS).

This was the second time in recent years that Durban got to witness an utterly superb French act, having been dazzled by the aerial brilliance of the Les Studios de Cirque troupe three years ago around the City Hall.

Explaining the story, Le Flaouter said: “Points De Suspension is a simple story which everyone can associate with. A young impatient and dreamy woman – waiting for the unexpected – meets a young, thoughtful and responsible man. They drift into a world where imagination of love prevails, discovering and expressing their feelings in a language all of their own.”

Alliance Française de Durban’s director, Vincent Frontczyk said the event was an official opening to the new partnership between them and the drama department.

“Hopefully the first of many performance projects to follow at the Courtyard Theatre.

This event is important for the Drama Department as well as DUT. We sincerely hope our partnership will be treasured and grow, leading to more wonderful projects such as Cirquons Flex.”

Drama and Production Studies’ Stephen Van Dyk echoed Frontczyk’s sentiments saying they enjoyed working with Alliance Française de and are looking forward to the production coming from France next year.

“A memorandum of understanding with Alliance Française included partnering with a University in Reunion. This partnering will enable our students to work with students from Reunion Island, putting together a show that will be performed in Durban and will then tour to Reunion Island,” Van Dyk said. www.facebook.com/dutartsanddesign

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Drama students tackle human trafficking and domestic violence ANDILE DUBE

Drama students perform at the Elangeni Hotel to raise funds for domestic abuse victims.

This was followed by a performance of the poem, “Phenomenal woman” by Maya Angelou and a song, titled “Rise” by Sandile Magagula and Lucky Gcumisa.

The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance and many came up to the students after their performance to express their appreciation and raved about the high standard of the act.

Speaking at the official launch of this year’s 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign, President Jacob Zuma said violence and the abuse of women and children exist and must be fought by everyone.

“Women are hurt by people they know and love and also by total strangers who want to exercise power over them. Domestic

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violence in particular must not be taken lightly. It is not a private matter when a man beats up a woman who happens to be his wife or girlfriend. It is a serious crime.

Our country takes this crime very seriously.

We have declared it a priority crime. All community members must treat it equally seriously. It should also be understood that the attacks on women and children are a gross violation of their rights,” Zuma said.

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Ahead of the official launch of this year’s 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign by President Jacob Zuma, Drama third year students partnered with the Open Door Crisis Centre and hosted a fundraising breakfast at Elangeni Hotel in October to raise awareness about human trafficking and domestic violence.

Titled, Arise from the cocoon of despair, fragile as a butterfly, but free the initiative was spear headed by Thora Mansfield and formed part of the student’s Educational Theatre subject.

Students, Nqubeko Ngema, Njabulo Zungu, Ntandoyenkosi Madlala opened the event dance piece which played on the domestic violence theme.

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Dance Motion USA’s Blanco visits the Drama Dpt SIHLE NDEBELE

Dr René Smith, Michael Blanco, Mark Carr with DUT staff and students.

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The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, recently visited DUT’s Department of Drama and Production Studies where issues concerning the arts, cultural exchanges and best practices were discussed.

This consulate’s delegation consisted of Michael Blanco, Dance Motion USA Project Director; Mark Carr, Public Affairs Officer in the Consulate as well as Skhumbuzo Majola, Media and Culture Assistant at the Consulate.

Dance Motion USASM is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State which is produced by BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) to facilitate cultural exchanges while showcasing the best in contemporary American dance abroad. BAM works with US embassies to establish partnerships with leading cultural, social service, community organisations and educational institutions; creating unique residencies that allow for

cultural sharing and engagement. The program also promotes and fosters international dialogue about the arts with administrators and technical theatre professionals. Through roundtable discussions and training workshops, program participants share best practices and offer ideas based on each specific country’s situation- considering factors of environment, funding, education and resources- and in the process, establish a network of global colleagues.

Speaking at the event where DUT Drama students performed a number of impressive dance pieces for the guests, Blanco said Dance Motion USA wants to build a partnership with participating dance companies and engage in residencies abroad where the organisation will provide workshops and outreach events.

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News

Putting student money matters in the spotlight MXOLISI NTANZI

The KZN Financial Literacy Association team and DUT Journalism students.

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students to look for sound money making and money saving opportunities. It’s a case of stretching your beans to budget for your beer money or that gorgeous pair of shoes, but ultimately to encourage long-term saving and investment. When you established good spending habits while young, you will be able to survive financially and most importantly build your own wealth,” she said.

DUT Journalism Lecturer, Advocate Robin Sewlal said, “It’s good to hear the financial world from the students’ perspective. It’s important for students to know about the financial world, such as bank statements, etc,” he said.

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The KwaZulu-Natal Financial Literacy Association (KZNLA) in partnership with Old Mutual and the Journalism Programme, have launched Young Money, a publication putting student money matters in the spotlight.

The articles, which are written by DUT Journalism students and financial education experts, address issues such as cell phone contracts, alcohol purchases, debt as well as budgeting and saving.

In the publication, SA Idols host and rapper, Proverb, shares his spending habits, while DUT student entrepreneur Mhleli Mkhize speaks about how he combines his studies with his business.

“Young money is no preaching,” said KZNFLA Executive Director Christ Naude. “It’s simply teaching good money habits, encouraging

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Aha! 100 Must Read Texts ANDILE DUBE

J.K Rowling whose book made the FoAD Aha! 100 must read texts.

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J.K Rowling, Susan Abulhawa, Chinua Achebe, Roald Dahl, Stephen Covey, and Nadine Gordimer are some of the authors whose books have been selected in the Faculty of Arts and Design’s (FoAD) Aha! 100 must read texts.

DUT’s Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof Ahmed Bawa, FoAD’s Executive Dean Dr René Smith and Deputy Dean Prof Brian Pearce are some of the people who contributed in choosing the books.

The project which was spear headed by FoAD’s academic development practitioner, Hajira Vahed-Greer was launched on Wednesday last week at City Campus.

Speaking at the launch, Prof Pearce said the listing of a 100 Must Read Texts arose out of a need to develop the reading skills of students and is a wonderful idea.

“One often hears this complaint from lecturers that students do not read and they sometimes do not read their study guides or the notes that they give them. So how does one address this problem?

We need to nurture a reading zeal among our students and what better way to do that than to introduce them to books that can change their lives,” Pearce said.

Vahed-Greer said the Curriculum Renewal Project at DUT aims to transform the Curriculum. It promotes General Education which prepares students holistically for an increasingly complex life as a critical citizen in the local and global work environment.

“The FoAD Book Project/ Aha! 100 Must Read Texts was fuelled by the realisation that only 14% of South Africans read books, half the country doesn’t even own one leisure book. Having as few as 20 books in the home is proven to have a significant impact in propelling one to higher levels of education.”

Vahed-Greer said: “Enjoy your journey of a 100 Must Read Texts, which might be as life changing for you as it has been for all those who have contributed to this list.”

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Feature

How 2015 did it for HoDs As we bid farewell to 2015, Softcopy caught up with a few of DUT’s FoAD Heads of Departments who shared with us some of their highlights for the outgoing year and resolutions for the coming year.

Drama and Production Studies’ Stephen Van Dyk

When it comes to your work, do you set New Year’s resolutions?

I never believed in New Year’s resolutions and have never made any.

However, I do believe in commitments. The commitments I will be making for 2016, is to continue to strive for excellence, do my work in positive and enthusiastic manner, complete the documentation for our new programmes, the Advanced Diploma in Drama and the Higher Certificate in Performing Arts Technology, ensuring our partnership with Alliance Française and the Brooklyn Academy of Music is a tremendous success as well as committing to contribute to the departments healthy working environment, where staff and students are happy, respected and recognised. Last but not least, committing myself to invest a great deal of time working on my PhD. If you do set them, do you stick to them?

I set commitments. They are stronger than resolutions and when I commit myself, I am in a position where my commitments becomes engraved in what I do and how I do it. Letting go of resolutions is too easy. Commitment are much harder to break.

What are you most looking forward to next year?

What are your Department’s highlights for 2015?

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I had many highlights as acting Head of Department in 2015. Seeing my first years every Monday was a highlight every week. Working with the first years was an absolute pleasure. They came to class with a positive attitude and we experienced respect, enthusiasm and a positive energy every Monday. Another highlight is the many training opportunities I had during 2015. DUT is offering employees ample opportunities to make sure continuous professional development takes place. Highlights for the Department of Drama and Production Studies include, several interactions we had with individuals outside of the DUT community. The department was active in offering performances to specific communities in and around Durban, empowering and educating young people. We also had the opportunity to meet with US consulate to present ourselves as a possible partner to work with the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in from New York in 2016.

Several things comes to mind. As mentioned, the show coming from Paris, working with BAM and the staging of exciting work by the academics of the department. The possibility of becoming part of ‘’The rising of the OXX” project with Dennis from Graphic Design is truly exciting and I believe we will be able to become part of that.

I am planning an interdisciplinary multi-media-performance-artdigital production for Digifest 2016. I hope to include this project as part of my PhD studies. 2016 will be a big year for staff and students at the Department of Drama and Production studies. Explosive creative energy!

Durban University of Technology / Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Four 2015

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Fine Art and Jewellery Design’s Chris De Beer What are you most looking forward to next year?

More time for creative work. Jokes aside, I look forward to the new batch of wide-eyed first year students. Their enthusiasm can be quite infectious.

School of Education’s Prof Siyakwazi

I look forward to the new batch of wide-eyed first year students. Their enthusiasm can be quite infectious.

What are some of your highlights and the department’s highlights for the outgoing year?

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The highlights in the department usually revolve around the achievements of the students. Whenever we have students that qualify as finalists in design or art competitions we feel that we are on the right track. This year Fine Art had 3 finalists for the Sasol new signatures competition and one of the ex-students that is now a part time lecture (Mhlo Chiliswa) was a finalist in the PPC competition. In Jewellery Design Nihal Shah was a finalist in the Angloplat design competition.

A big departmental highlight was when one of the lecturers, Themba Shibase, was given the Standard Bank visual arts award which resulted in him having a fully funded solo exhibition at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.

What are some of the School of Education’s achievements this year?

The School of Education has progressed steadily in terms of its programs and quality offering. 2015 came with its successes with two of our students visited China as part of the exchange program between DUT and China.

Three staff members (Mrs A Hiralaal, Mrs T C Chamane and Mrs Z V Shilenge-all female) successfully applied for and received NRF funded sabbatical leave for six months to complete their D ED/Ph Ds. One of the three (Dr Chamane) has already completed her D ED with UNISA which she graduated for October this year.

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Other staff members (Mr K. Naidoo, Mr Pillai and Mr G Zulu) also got sponsorship through the Teaching Development Grant for D ED/PhD studies. Two of our first year students won the DUT Writing Centre competition. Mr Siphesihle Mthethwa won best short story and Miss Nonhlahla Mthembu won best poetry.

Two best students in Maths and Science Mr Sandile Dlamini-3rd year student and Miss Thulile Masikane-1st year student, won a Fulbright Hay Scholarship. Some of our staff and students presented their papers at the DUT Institutional Research day. One particular presentation on a model and strategies of teaching mathematics in schools was described as impressive.

Lastly, every year, our students successfully organize and manage a career’s fair where they engage with High students from surrounding schools. They also organize, fund raise, manage and stage a successful Heritage Day Program.

Any New Year resolutions for you or the department?

At program level, we always aspire to be the preferred teacher education program in KwaZulu-Natal and National wide. So far schools in KZN prefer our students over others. We try as much as possible, to stick to our resolutions.

Are you looking forward to the coming year?

We look forward to 2016, to continue to perfecting our students, success rates, make more use of on-line learning and to engage students in critical thinking approaches to accommodate the DUT student centred strand.

Visual Communication Design’s Tony Starkey

in the 2015 Homewood Emerging Designer competition.

Parker along with 6 other students from Interior Design, Graphic Design and Fashion were emerging creatives at Design Indaba 2015.

Emerging Creatives Programme presented by Design Indaba and the Department of Arts and Culture provides support, education and mentoring for South Africa’s future designers.

What are some of your department’s notable achievements for 2015?

Durban University of Technology / Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Four 2015

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Among the many achievements by stuff and students in the Visual and Communication Design Department, Interior Design lecturer Hlengiwe Mlambo submitted her Masters for examination. B.Tech graduate and current part time staff member, Siyanda Mbele was named House and Leisure 100 rising stars 2015, he also received a Southern Guild Design Foundation Scholarship.

Last year’s Interior Design B.Tech student, Sifiso Shange participated in the Win a Home competition where he made it to the top 3. Masters student, Megan Parker and Rene Forbay are finalists

Alumni

Journalism’s Liam Joyce living his life like its golden ANDILE DUBE personalities such as Minnie Dlamini and Bonang Matheba.

He has been featured on Top Billing and even had a little stint on Big Brother Mzansi Double Trouble.

Joyce’s achievements prove that he is passionate about what he is doing and he is living his life like it’s golden.

He said: “At some point you want to live your passion, so go out and do exactly what you want to do, do what makes you happy.”

On DUT Journalism he shared: “I appreciate now that DUT is very hands on and practical in their approach. Had they not instilled in me the importance of experience, I don’t think I would have made it this far.”

Liam Joyce with socialite, Somizi Mhlongo.

Liam Joyce modelling at the Durban Fashion Fair 2015.

I appreciate now that DUT is very hands on and practical in their approach. Had they not instilled in me the importance of experience, I don’t think I would have made it this far.

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When you see Liam Joyce dinning and rubbing shoulders with the starts you may easily mistake him for a celebrity, but he isn’t one.

In fact the only association he has with the so called A-listers is when he is interviewing them for Sunday Tribune’s lifestyle magazine, Sunday Magazine.

Joyce has only been in the industry for close to three years but the 24-year-old DUT Journalism alumnus, has become a force to be reckoned with in the cut-throat industry.

Speaking to Softcopy he said: “I am 24 but I actually feel like I am 34, it must be my job.”

Since graduating from DUT back in 2013, he has worked for different newspapers within the Independent Media before settling at the Sunday Tribune where he seems to be much at home.

“I started out as a hard news journalist which was very difficult, I have had to travel to places like Pongola to report on mutilation to exposing corrupt police officers in high ranking positions,” Joyce said.

Eventually his editor asked him to join the lifestyle and entertainment department, a move which has seen him move from covering murders to red carpet events.

“I started doing celebrity news on the side, little brief stories and although I loved hard news, writing celebrity news was so easy that I fell in love with it,” he said.

Some of Joyce’s career highlights include exclusive interviews with South African media

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Alumni

Video Technology’s Bongi Maseko lands his dream job ANDILE DUBE

I don’t regret going through it because it has made me the person I am today.

Sunday Chillaz Producer, Bongi Maseko.

had a model focussing on producing,” he said.

Like everyone who has found success, Maseko has had to endure a lot of challenges and he says mainly because of his sexuality.

“I had to work for peanuts, I had to work for people that treated me like a slave and I had to work extra hard to prove myself especially because of my sexuality. I don’t regret going through it because it has made me the person I am today.

Durban University of Technology / Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Four 2015

“My family and friends help me to push on, I have the most wonderful supportive system anyone could ask for and prayer as well,” he said.

His advice to people who are working towards achieving their dreams is to “work hard and never second guess your strength.”

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The path to landing his dream job has not been an easy one but at long last Video Technology graduate Bongani Maseko, popularly known as “Bongi” has gotten his ideal job and is flourishing at it.

After two weeks waiting for his email he finally replies saying: “Firstly, I would like to apologise for replying so late. Work has been so busy with the shooting of the Christmas and New Years’ episodes.”

That is how hectic Maseko’s schedule has become since being appointed producer of SABC1’s hit show Sunday Chillaz which airs every Sunday at 1pm.

The show features artists who have set their own trends in the music industry and are trailblazers in their own right. It is set against a back drop of a chilled environment which seeks to be relaxed and inviting.

“I am basically the manager of the show, my role is to come up with guests, make sure that the story of the guest goes in line with the show’s mandate. I make sure that the idea in my head looks good on TV, I manage every stage of the production until it airs. I also go out and look for locations where we can shoot our shows.”

Maseko chose to study video technology because of his passion for moving pictures and entertainment.

The 25-year-old from Mpumalanga hailed DUT Video Technology for honing him with skills that have helped him be a master at his current job as a producer.

“Producing is one of the most important parts of the course, it’s pretty much one of the things you need to know to work in television and we

2016 Issue Four 2015

Social Media: DUT Arts and Design Digital Festival Facebook: DUTDigiFest Twitter: @DigitalArtFest Instagram: @dutdigifest_ #DUTDigifest #loveArtandDesign

Contact Numbers DUT Switchboard: 031 373 2000 Campus Security: 031 373 2181/ 2182 CAO: 031 268 4444 Faculty of Arts and Design academic and support: Faculty office: 031 373 6520 Art Gallery: 031 373 2962/ 2207 Academic Development Practitioner: 031 373 6425 Dean: 031 373 6517 Deputy Dean: 031 373 6524 Quality Promotion Officer: 031 373 3037 Research Office: 031 373 6603 Information and Communications Officer: 031 373 6455 Maintenance: (City Campus) 031 373 6658 Open Access Lab: (City Campus) 031 373 6606/ 6510 Library: (City Campus) 031 373 6654/ 6655, (Brickfield) 031 373 3738/ 3734, (Indumiso) 033 845 8973/ 8964 Writing Centre: (City Campus) 031 373 2365

Departments/ Programmes: Drama and Production Studies: 031 373 2194 Fashion and Textiles: 031 373 3750 Fine Art and Jewellery Design Fine Art: 031 373 6600 Jewellery Design: 031 373 6674 Media Language and Communication Journalism: 031 373 6614 Translation & Interpreting Practice: 031 373 6804 Language Practice: 031 373 6804 English & Communication: 031 373 2823 Video Technology: 031 373 6627 Visual Communication Design Graphic Design: 031 373 6648 Interior Design: 031 373 6504 Photography: 031 373 5430

Contact us on: 031 373 6455 Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: DUT Faculty of Arts and Design Twitter: @DutFoAD Instagram: @dutartsanddesign #Softcopy #loveArtandDesign

Happy Festive Season and New Year 2016

Editor: Andile Dube 031 373 6455/ andiled@dut.ac.za Contributors: Prof Brian Pearce, Noxolo Memela, Sihle Ndebele and Mxolisi Ntanzi Proofreader: Prof Brian Pearce Layout and Design: Frank Kalala Images: Jimmy Reynolds, Deseré Wadsworth, Mxolisi Ntanzi, Sihle Ndebele and Facebook.

Cover Art: Sabastien Pillay and Frank Kalala Publisher: Faculty of Arts and Design Editor-in- Chief: FoAD Executive Dean, Dr René Smith

Issue Four 2015