Softcopy Issue One 2021 by Softcopy

TITLE

THE FASHION ISSUE

FASHION’S SANDISO SITHOLE LAUNCHES SPORTSWEAR BRAND

FINE ART AND JEWELLERY DESIGN STUDENTS EXHIBIT AT KZNSA GALLERY

KRAFT’ED: DUT’S ANNUAL FASHION SHOW GOES VIRTUAL

PROFESSOR WADE TALKS IZIKHOTHANE SOOBBEN EXHIBITS AT LONDON’S TATE GALLERY

ISSUE 01 2021 CREDITS Editor: Andile Dube 031 373 6455/ andiled@dut.ac.za Cover Image: Electric Creative Media Contributors: Nikiwe Sukazi, Waheeda Peters and Simangele Zuma Proof reader: Andrea Alcock Images: DUT Audio Visual, Mbuso Nkosi and Facebook. Layout and Design: DUT Design Unit Publisher: Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) Editor-in-Chief: Interim FoAD Executive Dean, Professor Brian Pearce

CONTENTS NEWS

Mthembu is proud of his thriving Drama students

Fashion’s Sandiso Sithole has big plans for his sportswear brand

DUT Fashion student is proud owner of two fashion businesses

COVER FEATURE SEMINARS

Prof Wade talks Izikhothane, an unusual African youth subculture

POST COVID-19: Equipping academics to navigate through the year with renewed vigour EXHIBITIONS

Journalism’s Soobben exhibits at the International Tate London Gallery

Fine Art and Jewellery Design students exhibit at KZNSA Gallery OUR ALUMNI

Jewellery entrepreneur creates beautiful contemporary ‘Minimalistic Jewellery Designs’

Fine Art alumna Lauriana Glenny hosts inspiring exhibition amid COVID-19

Language Practice alumna uses WhatsApp to teach children language

EDITOR’S LETTER

n South Africa and around the world, the events of the past year have made life difficult for many but people have risen magnificently to the Corona virus pandemic challenges, which a year on continues

to cause havoc. I hope that the indomitable spirit shown by many in the last year doesn’t leave us, but prevails again this year as we continue to battle COVID-19. For me, the beginning of the year signifies rebirth and renewal. I always think it is the perfect time for one to strategize, set new goals or resolutions. So, I hope as the year begins, we set into motion the path that will lead us to achieving our goals or ambitions. It is important to understand that in this world, there are a lot of things that are beyond our control but what we do have control over is how we react to whatever happens in our lives. In this issue you can read about the 2020 DUT Fashion Show which took place online because of the Corona virus. Our alumni section is filled with inspiring stories of hope from graduates of the faculty doing amazing things in their chosen fields. I hope that as you read their stories you are inspired and filled with hope for a better future ahead. I would also like to pay tribute to former Faculty of Arts and Design Research Coordinator, Dr Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi who left this position last year to take up another DUT post. Dr Rapeane-Mathonsi has been an integral part of our faculty for many years and I wish her the all the very best in her future career. As the saying goes, change is never easy but is very much necessary. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, life is about growth and change. When you are no longer doing any of that, that is when life is whispering to you that you are supposed to be doing something different.

Andile

NEWS

MTHEMBU IS PROUD OF HIS THRIVING DRAMA STUDENTS NIKIWE SUKAZI

DUT Drama alumnus and lecturer, Siza Mthembu. hespian, DUT Drama alumnus and lecturer, Siza Mthembu recently talked of his pride at seeing his students succeed in the competitive television industry.

Mthembu who obtained a National Diploma in Drama and Production Studies in 2006 and is currently studying towards a BA Honours Degree: Applied Theatre, said: “Seeing my students on television always warms my heart, it is a proud feeling. It always reminds me that I have done my job to the best of my ability.” He began his teaching career in 2009 at ICESA Education services, teaching communications and drama. In 2019 he joined the DUT’s department of Drama and Production Studies. Some of his profound moments since joining the drama department have been directing four children’s plays for the department’s annual children’s festival founded by Professor Debbie Lutge. He has also enjoyed directing the IsiZulu productions that have become a firm favourite in the drama department. “Also, directing DUT’s annual Mr and Miss DUT for four years, that programme extended my relationship with the entire DUT community, especially students who are not from the Drama and Production Studies

Theatre), Udwendwe luka Koto- 2014, (Courtyard Theatre), to mention

department,” he explained.

but a few.

Mthembu further explained that some of the challenges that were

On going back to acting, directing and cast directing, Mthembu revealed

faced by students, affected him too. “Perhaps the lack of resources

that he has a casting and management agency, Viva le artiste actors,

and teaching materials always remain a challenge, and our Drama and

which is based in KwaZulu-Natal. It is an agency that provides trained

Production Studies programme is demanding and pricey,” he said.

actors and also does individual coaching.

Mthembu has proven more than once that he is indeed a jack of all

The thespian says he wishes to further himself academically and maybe

trades. He directed several productions; Marikana at the DUT

later on open his own school of arts.

Courtyard Theatre in 2015, (Children’s Theatre festival), Tin Bucket Drum-2015, (Courtyard Theatre), Spirit and Bones- 2015, (Courtyard

NEWS

FASHION’S SANDISO SITHOLE HAS BIG PLANS FOR HIS SPORTSWEAR BRAND NIKIWE SUKAZI

Sportswear brand owner and fashion student, Sandiso Sithole. mbitious fashion designer and Fashion and Textiles student, Sandiso Sithole, is hopeful he will complete his studies and grow his sportswear clothing brand to greater heights.

Sithole, 24, is currently completing his National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and runs his fashion brand, The Eagle Eye, which mainly focuses on sportswear. He says he always tries to come up with something unique which defines his fashion style. “I wanted to break the cycle of coming up with the same designs within the fashion industry by many brands.” He explained that being a full-time student and managing a business is not easy but because he is a hard worker he always gets the job done. “I can now call myself a hard worker because I had to attend lectures every day then come back home to do my homework and process people’s orders. I told myself that there is no resting until I finish the course,” he said. Sithole is also in partnership with fellow DUT fashion student, Freedom Ngiba and together they are planning on creating unique sports clothing in order to attract more clientele. The duo is also planning on working with celebrities to promote their clothing brand. In the past, Sithole has worked with famous figures such as the Emlanjeni hit maker Sibahle Cele, Uzalo actors Simphiwe Majozi, Thulane Nkululeko Shange and Prince M. Sithole also acknowledges the famous Mnotho Ndlela (photographer) whom he says is good at what he does, which is take pictures for him. “Everyone has a dream! We all want to be successful through our talents

To give back to the community, Sithole also works with local models in

and skills so that is why I am promoting my brand so hard, I believe my

shoots together with Mnotho Ndlela.

hard work will reach big brands and they will eventually have interest in me,” said the ambitious Sithole.

DUT FASHION STUDENT IS PROUD OWNER OF TWO FASHION BUSINESSES

NEWS

NIKIWE SUKAZI

Entrepreneur and fashion student, Minenhle Khumalo. urban University of Technology’s (DUT) 22-year-old Minenhle Khumalo from Amatikulu Bridge (Mandeni), juggles being a full-time student and running two business.

Khumalo who is currently completing his National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles at DUT is also co-founder of LaFoi Inc, an online store and he owns a clothing label called No Fear Design 1958. “LaFoi Inc is an online store that is working with small business enterprises and international wholesalers such as China, Singapore, Germany, to name but a few, to deliver the needs of our customers. No Fear Design 1958 is a clothing label that targets the youth market and is all about the various types of informal and formal fashion,” explained Khumalo. Together with his silent partner, Nandipha Dlamini, they use COVID-19 and its effects to their advantage. “During the early days of lockdown (level 5), my grandmother almost got arrested for breaking the COVID-19 regulations and that incident led to the birth of LaFoi Inc,” he said. Khumalo stressed that the DUT Department of Fashion and Textiles is all about shaping students into becoming the leaders of tomorrow. He is learning so much, and problem solving is amongst many skills he has acquired. Keeping the balance between his school work and running his businesses is not easy for Khumalo. “The goal has always been bigger than the challenges. I usually dedicate my weekends to focus on business and meeting new people. I spend extra hours at school to finish up my homework. DUT is such an amazing space to be in, with the resources of such a very high calibre lecturers, this shapes me into the person I wish to be,” said Khumalo.

COVER FEATURE

KRAFT’ED: DUT’S ANNUAL FASHION SHOW GOES VIRTUAL WAHEEDA PETERS

he recent Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) annual

to ‘hands on’ as possible while maintaining strict health guidelines.

fashion show saw 15 third-year Fashion and Textiles students

“We were extremely hands on with the students’ work. We rotated

showcase their work through a fashion film which was filmed

classes into groups that could work on certain aspects of their collections

over four days in December 2020, at the Playtex warehouse in Mobeni,

and what I feel worked the best was our constant sense of positivity and

Durban.

drive that helped our students through this challenging time,” he said.

Speaking more on the fashion showing, DUT’s Fashion and Textiles

Gideon explained that there were hurdles and difficulties, and the

lecturer and organiser of the show, Gideon, said: “The theme of

challenges the students faced were mostly them, fearing the unknown.

the students’ collections was Kraft’ed. This was for the students to

“We had to keep them reassured, aware and to feel both safe and

research and fuse a craft they felt culturally close to with a disability. It

enthusiastic at the same time,” he said.

is important for us all to embrace our heritage and find a new way to present our history as well as have the empathy and humanity for the

The categories the students were judged were best technical range,

millions of people that live daily with a disability,” he said.

most innovative range, best range on show, best menswear range, most commercial range, the Gideon recognition award and the Gideon merit

He further relayed that it was wonderful to see the students’ development

award.

with handwork and their understanding of the numerous disabilities in the world and how people live with them. Gideon elaborated on

“We were fortunate enough to be able to work with the internationally

planning behind the scenes, especially during COVID-19, and how the

acclaimed production company called Lampost and with their vast

students and his team worked around it.

knowledge of the world of virtual and film in fashion we sat together and created a look and mood for the collections this year. It is easy

“With the theme this year it was possible for the students to do a lot

to say that to work with Jodie Ennik of Lampost and her formidable

of their handwork remotely and check in with via WhatsApp to see the

team has definitely shone our students work in a new light and the

progress of their work,” he said. He and his team worked closely to

fashion film has already garnered incredible praise and response from

ensure the students’ patterns were made an easy task and be as close

the South African fashion community.

The 2020 Fashion Show is available for viewing online through the following links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyg2nLH-Bc&t=51s

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CJqxLkiJXkN/

TITLE Lerato Shemi’s designs for the 2020 DUT Fashion show.

TITLE Models rocking creations by Nomonde Nyathikazi.

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KRAFT 10

COVER FEATURE

T’ED

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Even though the annual Durban University of Technology’s Fashion Show, which has become a must attend for every fashion lover in Durban, took place in a different form last year because of the Coronavirus, it definitely did not disappoint. DUT Fashion students showed that they are a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. The theme for the 2020 show was Kraft’ed and students showcased garments that effused creativity, craftsmanship, cultural diversity and empathy. ANDILE DUBE asked eight of the 15 fashion students, who showcased at the online show, about their collections.

COVER FEATURE

ILLUSION Cleopatra Nombika

y concept has been influenced by the disability that I have chosen which is Psychosis. Psychosis is a mental illness that disrupts a person’s thoughts and perceptions causing

difficulties in recognising what is real and what isn’t. The key words which I have taken from the illness are disruption, illusion and unreality. I have been inspired by the Grand Canyon mountains. What caught my attention is that when you look at the mountains, it’s as if the rocks are different colours but when you get closer they are actually the same colour brown. The radiant colours are created by the direction of the sun and the structure of the rocks. The colours of the rocks look real but are not real, and just like the mental illness, they play with your thoughts and perceptions of reality. Therefore, I have decided to title my collection Illusion to reflect on the disability that I have chosen as my inspiration. All outfits are in different colours as this is show my inspiration. Each outfit will have the same black and white print to show that all these different looking garments are from the same collection.

My collection is also inspired by the shapes of the rocks that have been naturally created and this is represented by the silhouette’s uneven shapes. I have also been inspired by the texture on the rocks and this is represented by the print that I have used throughout my collection.

COVER FEATURE

LAYERED FAMILIARITY Husna Badsha

or the theme “Kraft’ed”, I was inspired by the traditional Indian gudri/ghodru, their detailed quilting, precise blanket stitching and intricate block-printing. ‘Layered Familiarity’ looks at the hand-

crafted covering as an art form. With minimal and voluminous silhouettes in their patterned glory, the collection creates a feeling of comfort and safety for the wearer, allowing them to feel the magnificence of being enveloped within a gudri. The collection mimics the use of bold, oriental inspired cotton prints sandwiched together using the traditional linear Kantha stitch (Newland 2018). Shades of beige, grey, blue and maroon take me back to the gudris I grew up with and bring along a further sense of familiarity to the designs, drawing on a traditional palette in a modern manner. Indian art and architecture of the 18th Century inspire a floral wonderland of print and colour, two gudri essentials. The silhouettes remain simplified allowing the craft to be placed front and centre. A well-known occupational therapy treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients and other members of the special needs community, is the use of deep pressure therapy or a weighted blanket (Hobbs 2018). The gentle pressure from the blanket hugs the person, flooding their nervous system with feelings of safety, comfort and relaxation. It recreates the effect of a baby being swaddled and is shown to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress (Ames, 2019). This medicinal use links my designs to the ‘Ed’ portion of the range theme. With the use of gudris, I wanted my designs to create a shield of protection for the wearer as quilting was also one of the very first forms of armor used by soldiers in war (Anon 2020). I want a sense of calm and ease to be associated with the designs and to allow the person to feel safe and secure.

COVER FEATURE

OUT-SANITY Njabulo Dlamini

ut-sanity: A chance to see or experience the internal, psychological mess.

A person who has active bipolar disorder often lives their lives in two different realities, the hypomanic and the depressive realities. Sometimes, they can’t differentiate what is real and what is not. Sometimes it’s visual and at other times it’s emotional, sometimes it’s a bit of both. Sometimes, it all happens at once. For Kraft’ed, I’m raising awareness of the mental disorder, Bipolar. This disorder is something that my father has been dealing with for almost a decade. The colours Red and Grey are the main colours I use for my range and they respectively represent the hypomanic and the depressive sides of bipolar. The prints and embellishments, like the strands of sewing threads used on my garments, represent the psychological movement and shows how the brain is connected throughout.

COVER FEATURE

DISCOMFORT Siphilile Mpanza

he Kraft’ed 2020 theme emphasises craftsmanship in an uncertain and fast digital world. “ED” focus on educating society about the disabilities that our community members live

with. Craftsmanship is valued because it is a constant reminder of our identities and how our hands can create. According to Pym (2017), “craft slows everything down, keeps traditional techniques alive, and enables us to make something by ourselves”. Craft plays a vital role in creating products to last a lifetime in the age of industrial production. My Kraft’ed collection is inspired by my past. Growing up, when I saw a crafted piece I used to wonder how it was made and sometimes I would rip it apart so that I could figure it out. I developed a curiosity for craft from a young age. I aim to use my 3rd year collection to raise awareness about Post Impairment Syndrome (PIS). PIS affects energy levels and forces people to expend all their energy (Hollard,2018). PIS symptoms include muscle stiffness, fatigue, arthritis, poor posture, and difficulty walking. This causes pain, weakness, and discomfort in their bodies. My concept title Discomfort communicates the difficulties that people who suffer from PIS experience on a daily basis. My collection designs include exaggerated silhouettes that emphasis the feeling of annoyance. I use a variety of crochet stitches to symbolise the range of pain people with PIS experience.

COVER FEATURE

ANXIETY Sebolai Khanyi

nxiety is considered a disability if it interferes with one’s daily life, (Bethany 2012). Anxiety affects how you feel and how you behave, and this can manifest into physical symptoms (Kimberly

2020). Severe anxiety causes fear, nervousness, apprehension, and daily anxiety and fears greatly impact society and the youth of today (Adam 2020). I am inspired by the word versatility. Individuals who suffer from a mental illness find a way to overcome their state of mind and the daily challenges that they encounter. As the world plunged into lock-down in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety also increased; these are tough times. The images portrayed are cardboard cut-outs from used products that are generally considered as waste. The second image is the designer himself expressing his inner self. Cardboard is reusable and I intend to re-use such materials in my range as these materials are considered to be versatile. This menswear range incorporates key pieces for summer and winter wear. I aim to not only display craftmanship but also how fashion impacts society and the global eco-system. Every garment is designed to invoke unusual feelings relating to differing perspectives of socio-political and environmental issues. The main fabric I used was a sleeping blanket which is very important in black South African culture as it is considered traditional and versatile. It is also used during lobola negotiations and at funerals. My range includes a variety of both form -fitting and exaggerated silhouettes. I intended to re-use various cardboard packaging materials to create different pattern details and colour palettes in a sustainable manner.

COVER FEATURE

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT Tatanya Thavar

fter reading up on many disabilities, I was mostly drawn towards ‘acid attacked victims’. Statistically, 1500 acid attacks have been recorded worldwide annually with South Asia having the

highest incidence (Kuriakose 2017: 67). Of these acid attack victims, 80% are women and girls, leaving them with disfigured faces and scars. In seeing this high incidence, the Indian Supreme Court has asked the government to identify this as a disability (Sharma 2019: para. 7). My concept was inspired by empowering these women to embrace their new skin by allowing them to feel confident and beautiful. Even after being scarred for life they still remain courageous, brave and strong because they are unique and deserve to be treated equally. My inspirational images convey the same message of being courageous, brave, and strong but most importantly embracing who you are. These images also set the mood, silhouette, and colour palette for my range. The range consists of using old rusty objects to create prints and texture, representing the acid scarring. Handcrafted marigold flowers are used to resemble beauty and comprise my ‘Kraft’. Warm and earthly coloured light weight fabrics are used to set the tone for colour and silhouettes. This translates my concept into flowy feminine silhouettes.

SEMINARS

PROF WADE TALKS IZIKHOTHANE, AN UNUSUAL AFRICAN YOUTH SUBCULTURE WAHEEDA PETERS

ideo Technology’s Head of Department, Professor Jean-

Prof Wade spoke of the time at the height of the public scandal about

Philippe Wade hosted a virtual inaugural professorial lecture

Izikhothane, Nandos got into the act, making an advert involving

titled, Burning Desire: The Strange Story of Izikhothane on

an Izikhothane challenge between two ‘crews’ setting fire to their

Friday, 26 March 2021 via MS Teams.

expensive belongings, while the voice-over welcomed the fact that ‘we still tell stories around the fire’.

Izikhothane or I’khothane (a Nguni word meaning ‘to lick’), is an unusual African youth subculture that was brought to the public’s attention by

“My interest is precisely in what sort of stories Izikhothane is telling

an article in the Mail and Guardian in 2011, and, more infamously in

us around the fire. We think for example of what sort of story Jimi

2012 eTV investigative television programme, 3rd Degree with Debora

Hendrix was telling us when he set fire to and destroyed his Fender

Patta.

guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival of 1967, or what story women were telling us when they burned their bras in the 1960s. Or, for that matter,

Prof Wade emphasised that these media stories highlighted the

what story those students were trying to tell us when they allegedly

‘conspicuous consumption’ lifestyle of these subcultural youths from

tried to set fire to a DUT security guard,” he said.

the poor townships around Johannesburg, such as Katlehong and Soweto, which included spending small fortunes on designer clothing

Prof Wade said that most of the recent academic research into

brands such as Levi’s and Nike, iPhones, and expensive alcohol such as

Izikhothane argues that the story they are telling us is a conformist

Johnny Walker Black.

one, of youths lingering in the crucible of capitalist Johannesburg, and entranced by a dazzling post-apartheid globalised consumer culture to

“Crews would compete against each other in public to be recognised

which they uncritically aspire, egged on by glittering role-models such

for having the most expensive fashion commodities, and these ‘face-

as Kenny Kunene, the ‘Sushi King’.

offs’ would be characterised by outlandish boasts and mockery of opposing crews. What really caught the attention of the media was that on occasion the working-class Izikhothane youth would set fire to their designer clothes and real money, generously splash cartons of UltraMel custard about, and destroy KFC food,” he said.

Video Technology’s Professor Jean-Philippe Wade and former secretary, Wendy Hein.

SEMINARS

EQUIPPING ACADEMICS TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE YEAR WITH RENEWED VIGOUR SOFTCOPY REPORTER

ince the ought break of the Corona virus last year, many people

come and pass quickly. It is possible however, to hold onto emotions

around the world have had to deal with many challenges that to

and in essence become trapped in them.

this day still continue to affect them in many different ways. This

is why on 18 March 2021 the Faculty of Arts and Design held a virtual

Once trapped we are taken hostage by them and they become moods

workshop aimed at assisting academics with resourceful tools to self-

which we live out of. Moods belong to us, not the world. Life will move

coach and successfully navigate this year with a greater sense of control.

forward regardless of your mood,” he elaborated. Grossi also said moods are like the climate- they have longevity and that while some

Life and Leadership coach, Richard Grossi led the discussion which was

moods are helpful, others aren’t.

titled, ‘Resourcefulness: The art of awareness and self-coaching’. Grossi’s talk was centred around what he calls the three fundamentals

“Awareness of your climate empowers you to observe your mood’s

of human existence; language, emotions and body.

level of resourcefulness, and based on that awareness, you choose to keep or shift the mood,” he said.

“Last year was a very tough year and we all felt the pinch in more ways than one. Not only in our working environment but in our personal lives,” said Grossi. According to Grossi as human beings we face situations like COVID-19 in our lives and we assess it in a bad way, we assess it as a threat to our own way of being and to our own wellness. “The language we live in shapes what we observe, including what we regard as possible. Emotions are like passing clouds and they should

Life and Leadership coach, Richard Grossi.

EXHIBITIONS

JOURNALISM’S SOOBBEN EXHIBITS AT THE INTERNATIONAL TATE LONDON GALLERY WAHEEDA PETERS

Journalism lecturer, Deseni Soobben.

eloved Durban University of Technology’s Journalism lecturer,

“I was quite taken aback when I was contacted by one of the curators.

Deseni Soobben is one of the South African women photographers

They were looking for women photographers to exhibit alongside

who has her photographic works exhibited at the international

South African photographer Zanele Muholi’s collection,” said an elated

Tate London Gallery until the end of March 2021.

Soobben.

The Tate Modern is an institution that houses, in a network of four

She has been teaching in the DUT’s Department of Journalism since

art galleries, the United Kingdom’s national collection of British art,

1995 and thoroughly enjoys her teaching role, and her specialist areas

and international modern and contemporary art. Soobben’s work is on

of interest are photography, media, culture and gender, and she has

display with that of renowned Zanele Muholi, under the theme of: How

written a paper on the photographic representation of women in the

Muholi is affirming beauty.

print media.

Muholi is a South African artist and visual activist working in photography,

“The exhibition is organised by Tate Modern in collaboration with the

video, and installation. Her work focuses on race, gender and sexuality

Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, Gropius Bau, Berlin and

with a body of work looking at black lesbian, gay, transgender, and

Bildmuseet at Umeå University. I have many relatives and friends in

intersex individuals.

London and they were keen to view the photographs, however London is in a strict lock-down,” she said.

Soobben’s artwork exhibited at the international Tate London Gallery.

For Soobben, her passion for photography began at the age of 10 years

As a Journalism lecturer, she believes it’s vital to be part of such

when her grandfather returned from a trip to Japan and gave her a

exhibitions. “As a lecturer at a former Technikon and present University

Kodak lnstamatic camera.

of Technology, I think it is vital for students to see that lecturers showcase their work and continually discuss current and relevant matters. So, for example, in the Photojournalism classroom, whilst talking about Henri

She confessed that seeing her work being exhibited is exciting: “As a

Cartier-Bresson’s ‘Decisive Moment’, I can point to my photographs

photographer, I am thrilled. I have visited Tate London twice in the last

that have been published in the print and online media. The exhibition

10 years, more recently in 2015 and did not dream of exhibiting at this

is also seen as a Creative Output, which is important for lecturers,” she

most prestigious art institution,” she said.

relayed.

EXHIBITIONS

FINE ART AND JEWELLERY DESIGN STUDENTS EXHIBIT AT KZNSA GALLERY WAHEEDA PETERS

he Fine Art and Jewellery Design & Manufacture Department

Explaining further on the exhibition, Head of Department: Fine Art

recently held its annual year end student exhibition at the

and Jewellery Design, Dr Chris de Beer said, “While each student

KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (KZNSA) Gallery in

deals with their own individual theme through their media of choice

Glenwood.

varying between painting, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, multimedia, etc. What is most striking and admirable about the show is

Titled, Complacency-20, the exhibition featured works by 22 students

that it demonstrates the resilience of the creative spirit of these young

from the National Diploma in Fine Art and Advanced Diploma in Fine

artists and those who guided them up to this point,” he stressed.

Art for the 2020 academic programme. Student, Siphesihle Ntsungwana said his work is an exploration of his Fine Art lecturer Joanna Cara Loening Voysey said: “The exhibition

personal identity, regarding his shift from a rural area in the Eastern

serves as a climatic conclusion to the final year of study. It takes place in

Cape, Bizana, to an urban area in KwaZulu-Natal, and how being in this

order to honour the students who are completing their time as Fine Art

area had transformed his life and made him the artist that he is through

students and it starts the conversation between young artists and the

the influence of mass media and pop culture.

art world. The exhibition provides the group with the beginning stages of exposure which is most needed and welcomed in the art scene,” she

Another student, Mhlengi Shange, explained that his art and what it

said.

symbolises, presents a nostalgic look into his childhood. “Thinking back the way I grew up, I used to battle with self-recrimination yet having the

Voysey indicated that Complacency-20 is the glimmer of hope that even

option to acknowledge my past, being fully aware of who I am and what

under an unprecedented and deadly pandemic, pursuit of creativity,

I do as an artist, I have discovered a manner which I can convey those

pursuit of the beautiful still serves as a strong motivation for many to

encounters through my works of arts,” he said.

go on. The exhibition artworks consist of students using acrylic paints, terracotta clay, Raku clay and cardboard as media, to name but a few.

Fine Art’s Siphesihle Ntsungwana and his painting of the City Campus building.

Mhlengi Shange.

OUR ALUMNI

JEWELLERY ENTREPRENEUR CREATES BEAUTIFUL CONTEMPORARY ‘MINIMALISTIC JEWELLERY NIKIWE SUKAZI

udding jeweller and Durban University of Technology’s Jewellery

Explaining his journey with DUT, he said: “I chose DUT because it is a

Design and Manufacture alumnus, Sanele Myeni has launched

reputable institution. What challenged me was, I had previously done

a successful jewellery business named, Minimalistic Jewellery

Civil Engineering in College and Jewellery Design seemed too foreign to

Designs.

me. I adapted so well to the nature of the course.”

Myeni who hails from Isiphingo, a town situated about 20 kilometres

He said at DUT he mostly learnt about terminology and identifying

south of Durban is one of the few black owners of a jewellery business.

jewellery items, which was the basic knowledge he used when starting

Minimalistic Jewellery Designs specialises in commercial or rather

his business. Myeni is grateful to his lecturers who helped him realise

contemporary jewellery for everyday use.

and grow his love for jewellery design.

“My target market is more or less the youth who are into jewellery

He stressed that his approach to jewellery design is what sets him apart

and older people for instance, who want to polish their old rings for a

from other jewellers. Despite being one of the few black entrepreneurs

purpose of renewing their marriage vows, and anyone in general,” he

in the field, Myeni aims to grow within the industry.

said. “I plan to open a store online where I will be selling my merchandise, The 26-year-old Myeni who is now based and runs his business in

let other people advertise and sell via my online store as well,” said the

Johannesburg said becoming an entrepreneur was a choice he made for

optimistic Myeni.

himself. “This business is a side hustle for me since I am still an employee for another big jewellery company,” said Myeni

33 Minimalistic Jewellery Designs owner, Sanele Myeni.

Blue sapphire-and-diamond earrings and necklace by Myeni.

Another one of Myeni’s creation, a silver necklace with an Africa pendant.

OUR ALUMNI

DUT FINE ART ALUMNA LAURIANA GLENNY HOSTS INSPIRING EXHIBITION AMID COVID-19 WAHEEDA PETERS

urban University of Technology’s (DUT) Fine Art alumna, Lauriana Glenny recently held a solo exhibition titled, Finding Beauty, Inspiring Hope, at the Stepping Stone Studios in Assagay

owned by another former Natal Technikon student, Greg Hayes. Glenny, who graduated at the then Technikon Natal, said even though she graduated in 1994, it has taken her a while to find her voice.“I had a solo exhibition in 2010 entitled: On Route, which was at the Artsfest Durban in Umgeni Road. My goal last year was to have a solo exhibition, and it was a 10-year anniversary of my previous one,” she said. Glenny said because of lock-down this did not happen, but what happened is that she looked at her surroundings and looked at ordinary, everyday things that sometimes are taken for granted. “I think lock-down did that for a lot of us, that we were forced to look at our surroundings and see them in a new light. So, I think my desire that people would get out of my exhibition, is that there would be a sense of hope, look at something very ordinary and you choose to see it, with fresh, creatively inspired eyes, and in a new light,” she stressed. Her words of wisdom to students who wish to study Fine Art at DUT is to be authentic. “The reason why you draw or sculpt is to come from you. You have to find your ‘red hot, why’ and if you find your ‘red hot

supremely important, and when it comes to being an authentic artist,

why’ then that will lead to ‘your what to do’ and then you will find your

you have to find your own voice. Find your ‘why’ then the rest will

‘who’, which is the audience. I worked in the field where trends are

follow,” she said.

Fine Art alumna Lauriana Glenny.

OUR ALUMNI

LANGUAGE PRACTICE ALUMNA USES WHATSAPP TO TEACH CHILDREN LANGUAGE WAHEEDA PETERS

OVID-19 has taught Durban University of Technology’s (DUT)

she said. Mngadi who obtained her National Diploma in Language

Language Practice alumna, Gloria Thandekile Mngadi to think

Practice at DUT in 2015 said she began offering the language services

of more innovative and impactful ways to teach children the

while she was still a student at DUT. She was selected to be an IsiZulu

importance of preserving their language as Africans.

tutor, where she taught and encouraged fellow students to love and preserve their mother tongue.

Mngadi (30) from Ndwedwe recently started a WhatsApp group titled: Ingosi Yabantwana (Children’s Session) where she teaches little children

Also at DUT, it is where she wrote her first children’s book titled: uMimi

how to read and write IsiZulu and English.

noZuzu Esikoleni which was published in 2015. Last year, 2020, she also released a poetry Anthology book.

Seeing that most people moved to online learning during lock-down, she also came up with the idea of WhatsApp classes which she says

In 2009 she won a literacy competition which was run by Ukhozi FM

are lot cheaper and accessible to disadvantaged communities. This is

and was selected to represent KwaZulu-Natal at the International

a service that she is running through her language services company,

Children’s Day event held at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg.

GTNAQM PTY Ltd. She also has a non-profit organisation called, the Gloria Thandekile “Ingosi yabantwana is a story telling group. It’s where I am educating

Mngadi Foundation that provides sanitary aids to her neighbouring

children through story telling. I am educating them about preserving

communities during this difficult time of COVID-19. In both her company

language and to also know the languages, IsiZulu and English. At school,

and foundation, Mngadi said her main challenge is obtaining funding.

in the English class you don’t get a chance to interpret in your own language. My plan is to teach them at an early age as language is the core of life and can open lots of opportunities. We use language in our daily lives. We also host face to face tutorial and monthly reading sessions,”

Language Practice’s Thandekile Mngadi.

Those wishing to access her language services can reach her on: gloriandonenhle@gmail.com.

R.I.P DR WELCOME “BHODLOZA” NZIMANDE 1947-2021