Softcopy Issue Three 2022

For the past 27 years South Africa has been celebrating Women’s Day annually in August to honour the many women who marched to the Union Buildings against carrying pass books in 1956. This significant march by an estimated 20 000 women wasn’t just about fighting against carrying pass books only but about the injustices of the apartheid regime and the brutal treatment of black peo ple in this country.

While the struggle against apartheid has finally been won, we cannot forget the many women who risked their lives to make sure that this regime that delegitimatized black people in a vicious way was finally defeated. However, it must never be taken for granted that the women of today continue to face challenges in their lives. These challenges may be differ ent to those faced by the women of 1956 but their struggle is still very much poignant because they are fighting against a patriarchal system that is oppressive.

According to the South Africa Constitution, everyone is equal and enjoy the same rights and protections, but we all know that this is not the reality of many women in this country. The persistent shocking abuse of women and children in this country proves that we still have a long way to go in order to achieve the goal for liberation marched for by the women of 1956.

EDI TO R’S LETTER

This issue pays tribute to the women in the Faculty of Arts and Design. While it would have been impossible to interview every single one of them, I believe that every woman has a story to tell and it is our duty to listen. I hope that as you read our cover feature, and the rest of the magazine you are able to reflect on your role in society and whether you are part of the solution or problem in the struggle for women’s liberation.

Last but not least, the news of Queen Eliza beth II’s death in September shocked and sad dened many of us. As someone who has been fascinated by ‘The Queen’s’ life it is hard to comprehend that Her Majesty’s death marked the end of the second Elizabethan era. For the last 70 years she has been so visible that even at the age of 96 we thought she would outlive us all. But of course, as ‘The Queen’ once said: “We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love. And then we return home.”

Fashion’s Ismael Mchunu wins best young designer at HDJ 2022

WAHEEDA PETERS

Durban University of Technology (DUT) second-year Fashion and Textiles student, Ismael Mchunu, has made the university proud by winning the most sought-after fashion title of the 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award, presented by Durban Fashion Fair, at Greyville Racecourse on 02 July 2022. Mchunu (25) clinched the award, beating nine other fashionista hopefuls with his winning design, showcasing the 2022 theme of ‘Show Me the Honey’. Besides Mchunu, DUT Fashion and Textiles student Sinqobile Nzama also stitched her way to the Top 10 in the esteemed competition.

Mchunu, who is from Palmview in Phoenix, was elated when he was named the winner on race day, thanking his DUT lecturers and the the Hollywoodbets Durban July for giving DUT Fash ion students an opportunity to showcase their talent. He also confessed that he would love to work with Hollywoodbets going forward.

Top three of the Hollywoodbets

Young

by Durban Fashion Fair (from left): Model Nonto and third placed designer Nhlanhla Dlamini, winning designer Ismael Mchunu and model Nomfundo, second placed designer Slindi Ndlovu and model Kiara. Photo by Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media.

AWARDS HONOURS &

The

Durban July

Designer Awards presented

HONOURS

For Mchunu, his captivating garment was inspired by the beau tiful flower bud.

“I saw the beauty inside the flower bud and transferred the features of the flower bud into my dress. I had a short skirt inside, followed by a long skirt and above the long skirt, I used twisted buttons and when you open the buttons, you will see the short skirt. The main aim was to show the beauty inside the bud of the flower when it is open through my design,” said Mchunu. The gifted student designer, who already has two brands under his name called McXainny and Hairryman, is very keen to open his own fashion studio, a fashion factory and a clothing brand shop.

Also making DUT proud was Nzama, who spoke at the com petition on race day, saying that it was such an awesome feeling to have people watch her victory as one of the top ten finalists. In terms of her gorgeous design, Nzama commented that she was inspired by the wings and the eyes of the bee, relaying that she focused solely on the anatomy of the bee for her garment inspiration. She has a brand and a registered company called ‘I Conquer Designs’ and her future plan is to make custom-made looks for people. She also wants to open a manufacturing business and employ young talent, to create more community employment in the rural areas.

Professor Runette Kruger, Executive Dean Faculty of Arts and Design at DUT, said the Faculty was immensely proud of Ismael Mchunu for winning the Young Designer award at the Durban July and of Sinqobile Nzama, who featured as a top ten finalist. “The Fashion students are supported and mentored by a very dedicated team of lecturers, and the talent in the department is next level. I cannot wait to see how Ismael and Sinqobile grow in their careers,” she said.

Mchunu received R50 000 in bursary support from the Hol lywood Foundation. He also wins a trip to the prestigious SA Fashion Week in October, R10 000 in cash compliments of Gold Circle and Schweppes and a R5 000 gift card courtesy of Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Besides his win, DUT, as the winning fashion institution, received a R30 000 grant from Gold Circle, to be used to support the programmes and for the development of the design students.

Ismael Mchunu with his model wearing his winning design.

Photo by Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media.

Photography students

competition

ANDILE DUBE

The Durban University of Technology’s Photography Programme hosted a prize giving ceremony for the ‘WATER is…’ competition on Friday, 26 August 2022.

For the project, also a competition, students were asked to examine ideas and questions relat ed to ‘crisis, ceremony and catastrophe’ of water, using photographs as visuals that filled in the dots of the title.

A&H

Photography lecturer, Liza du Plessis explains that in recent months KwaZulu-Natal has experienced the impact of global warming with the 2022 floods, which has generated a time of crisis with livelihoods and infrastructures facing intense difficulty or danger.

An important statement created by staff, in a brief to students, outlined the necessity of a joint project of this nature. It stated: “We as the Photography programme need to respond mean ingfully and responsibly to this collective crisis, to show vision and foresight, by bringing in conver sations about this situation. We all have personal stories to tell. The power in storytelling is that everyone’s story is important and needs to be heard. Our programme has many visual storytell ers with different viewpoints. Photographers have the tools and practice of gathering visual stories, creating archives, which can contribute to an unfolding greater story, as it emerges as a historic marker on our 21st Century time-line”.

HONOURS AWARDS &

fill in the dots to the “Water is…”

Winner of the Water is…. Competition, Phumelela Ndlovu (centre) with Photography lecturers.

HONOURS AWARDS

Third-year Photography student, Phumelela Ndlovu took home first prize for his personal project which tells the story of his childhood friend who drowned while swimming in the river when they were kids.

“I just wanted to honour my long-lost friend, the competition gave me the opportunity to express myself and show a bit of creativity in it. As much as I was happy when I heard the brief of the competition, I sat with myself and had self-conversation and the only thing that came to my mind was my old friend and I went back home and began shooting the whole story on how it all happened,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu won a DSLR camera sponsored by Canon. Other students who made the top five are all second-year students. Ayanda Ngcobo who came in second place; Third place went to Sibonelo Dlamini, Jerry Dam buza came in at number four and Manelisi Nene took the fifth spot. The top 10 winners and Special Mention candidate, received prizes spon sored by Camertek, FujiFilm, Photo Freedom and Nikon.

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The Faculty of Arts and Design’s Executive Dean, Professor Runette Kruger, congratulated the students saying, “Your works were deemed among the top of your programme, and the competition was tough. Your sponsored prizes are a sign of trust in your ability to shine, both as stu dents and beyond, when you graduate, and we hope that they will serve you very well on your journey to becoming professional photographers and artists. Along with the beautiful outcomes and generous awards, I hope you take this message with you, as well: that each and every success started with one important step: that of showing up. With your talent, cameras and commitment, please continue to show up for every oppor tunity that presents itself, and the rest will follow. Well done!!”

In addition to the competition, the programme intends to curate exhi bitions, with various themes, from the submissions of photographs by all students. One such exhibition called “Stone and Water”, was exhibited online for Digi-Fest 2023. This collection of photographs examined the relationship and effects that stone and water have on each other, when these forces meet. Stone and water are portrayed as a medium, meta phor or artifact.

Dr Diana Moodley wins best paper award at 33rd Barcelona International Conference on Education

SOFTCOPY REPORTER

The Faculty of Arts and Design’s (FoAD) Research Coordinator, Dr Dianna Moodley, was recently awarded the Best Oral Presentation at the 33rd Barcelona Inter national Conference on Education, Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, themed: Excellence in Research and Innovation.

Her paper, titled ‘Academic Terrorism: The new (ab)normal in post-Covid Higher Education in South Africa’, addressed how the pandemic has compelled Higher Education Institutions around the world to resort to Emergency Remote Learning (ERL).

She exposed findings from her recent research, that this abrupt ‘pivot to online’ learning has exacerbated existing challenges in Higher Educa tion, particularly in South Africa.

Drawing on student experiences and perceptions of ERL, she exposes a perturbing finding that Teaching and Learning under ERL has regressed into impersonal methodologies, devoid of any notion of pedagogy as the science and art of teaching.

More unsettling, she highlighted, was that ERL has alienated and disengaged students from learning as a collaborative process. This increased transac tional distance between students and academics,

HONOURS AWARDS &

Dr Dianna Moodley, Research Coordinator in the Faculty of Arts and Design. Photo Supplied.

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she claims, has desensitised the latter to the peculiar challenges that stu dents encounter in the virtual classroom. Her presentation culminated in a graphic transdisciplinary display of the lived realities of students engaged in ERL, advocating for ‘critical humanising pedagogy’, an approach that centres the needs of students in the teaching and learning process.

HONOURS AWARDS &H

The DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Sibusiso Moyo, congratulated Dr Moodley on the award and for sharing students’ lived experiences and their perceptions of Emergency Remote Learning.

DUT Journalism and Sunday Times collaborate to mark July 2021 Civil Unrest anniversary

ANDILE DUBE

The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Journalism Programme collabo rated with the Sunday Times on a project to mark the one-year anniversary of the July 2021 unrest.

Titled, ‘July Riots One Year On’, the project aimed at reflecting on the civil unrest that gripped parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng last year.

Around 70 second- and third-year Bachelor of Journalism students submitted articles that cap tured how the unrest affected their communities in KZN.

The students worked under the supervision of journalism lecturers, Bibi Ayesha Mall and Si phumelele Zondi and Sunday Times’s News and Investigations Assistant Editor, Nicki Gules. Mall said DUT Journalism was approached by the Sunday Times to collaborate on the project that culminated in 50 stories written by the students being published in the Sunday Times.

“Students were asked to submit articles about experiences of civil unrest in their communities across KwaZulu-Natal. The Sunday Times is a national institution and it was a wonderful oppor tunity for the Bachelor of Journalism students to work under the tutelage of key industry staffers. Ms Gules, who had spearheaded this project, met several times online with the Print Journalism 2 and 3 classes. In the first meeting, the brief was discussed. Then a diary meeting was held for students to pitch their story ideas. Gules also held an online news writing master class for the

students,” she explained. Mall said the process of compiling the articles began in February, soon after the Sunday Times approached DUT Journalism to collaborate on the project. The deadline for submission of articles was in April and the process of revisions continued until mid-June.

Prior to the project, students had written articles on the topic for an assessment in the second se mester of 2021 for the Print Journalism module.

“To prepare students for the Sunday Times Pro ject, an assessment was set on the project theme of reflections of the civil unrest. Subsequent to the assessment process and marks finalised, students revised their articles based on the feedback given to them and resubmitted the revised articles, which were sent to Ms Gules. Ms Gules, then worked with the students on their articles. She worked also with some students directly based on the stories they pitched at the diary meeting. She paired them with Sunday Times reporters and they worked on stories together,” said Mall.

According to Mall, the stories written by the stu dents captured the experiences of those affected by the unrest which took place on 9- 18 July last year – claiming around 354 lives.

“The work produced by the students captured the goals of the project, which was to include a wide range of angles from across KZN – villages, suburbs, towns and cities. This ensured that the colossal personal and material losses and the array of emotions that people experienced were captured. Students wrote about the trauma, fear and sadness that people experienced, about loss of loved ones, property destroyed, theft, looting, assault and killings,” she said.

Third year Journalism student, Leah Ganasen, from Phoenix wrote an article titled, ‘They were just going to see black and shoot’.

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“The article details the experience during the July unrest of the black and Indian race groups living in Phoenix during that time. They both describe their feelings on race relations be fore, during and after the unrest noting that the relationship between black and Indian people has seemingly deteriorated

to a near-irreparable point,” she explained.

Nikitha Nkunzi, also a Journalism student de scribed the opportunity as an amazing experi ence which she found educational and enlightening.

Her article was about a young mother who loot ed her place of employment and as a result was sentenced to six months in jail.

“Not only was the process of getting my piece published a memorable one, but it also prompt ed introspection in me. I am sure that each of the things I have learnt will stand me in good stead for future opportunities. I also feel that I have built a decent relationship with the editor (Nicki Gules). She was kind and encouraging, and her guidance and comments will be useful in my future writing. I am honestly so grateful that I was awarded this opportunity,” she said.

Journalism third year students, Lungelo Sibiya and Leah Ganasen. Photo by Khumbuzile Mbuqe.

Journalism’s Nikitha Nkunzi. Photo by Khumbuzile Mbuqe.

FoAD honours first cohort of Animation Short Course graduates

SIMANGELE ZUMA

Five students who successfully completed the 13-week Animation Short Course under the Faculty of Arts and De sign (FoAD) at the Durban University of Technology were recently awarded certificates in recognition of their hard work at the DUT’s City Campus.

Handing over the certificates was Professor Runette Kruger, the FoAD Executive Dean, who began by congratulating the students namely; Asiyah Ghumran, Anele Mordecai Cain, Maryam Kotze, Sibongakonke Nkonyeni and Waylin Ashby.

“We are very happy and proud to be handing the certificates of the graduated students of the Animation Short Course to them. We are grateful to the main driver behind this short course, Dr Dianna Moodley and the convenor of the studio, Clare Louis who made all this possible by passing her knowledge to the students,” said Prof Kruger.

Dr Moodley, who initiated this project through the Short Course Unit (SCU) at DUT said this is a double win for every one that has participated in this project, as it is the first ever in Durban for a short course to be run in animation. She expressed that they are very proud of the first cohort that have completed the course.

“I say double win because we have innovation and entrepreneur ship at its best. They are on their way to opening up their own businesses and venturing into unlimited prospects,” she said. She explained that the Short Course was initiated after her interaction with the Fine Arts and Graphic Design departments who were enquiring as to why DUT does not offer animation at all. Dr Moodley said she realised that it was not such a huge task to at least introduce animation to DUT. Going forward, she said they plan on developing it into a fuller programme. In the second semester, Dr Moodley said the course will be undertaken by a cohort of lecturers so that they could in turn teach students when the animation course gets formally imbedded in the DUT

Animation Short Course facilitator Claire Louis and FoAD Executive Dean, Prof Runette Kruger, with the five Animation Short Course graduates.

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programme.

The course facilitator is Claire Louis, owner of the Katani mate 3D Animation Studio based in Musgrave.

Speaking about her involvement with the course, Louis said: “After running an animation workshop during DigiFest 2021, I enquired from Prof Kruger on initiating animation in Durban because I was finding it difficult to find qualified animators, unlike in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Not long after that I got a phone call from Dr Moodley and things moved really quickly. We came up with the course, something that would work and we ended up with these five graduates who stuck through everything.”

DUT Short Course Unit Director, Professor Thakur, said that he is elated to offer such a course through DUT. “Our ENVI SON2030 espouses an engaged university, through innovative curricula and nurturing creativity. This animation project is a nexus of an industry expert, an amenable faculty, and a cham pion. We hope that this course should inspire our colleagues at the university to leverage networks and industry to help us open doors or improve employability for our graduates.”

English and Communication Programme staffers walked the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge for a good cause

PRETTY SHEZI

Fun was the order of the day at the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge that took place on 3 September 2022. Seven staff members from the Durban University of Technology’s English and Communication Programme challenged themselves to a 5km-walk in order to exercise, promote team spirits and do something for a good cause.

English and Communication’s secretary Lindiwe Ntombela joined the programme’s coordinator, Dr Maleshoane Ra peane-Mathonsi and lecturers Dr Veena Partab, Dr Ursula Vooght, Ms Terry Herd, Ms Zizipho Mdletye and Dr Jade Smith on an early morning walk from Moses Mabhida Stadium to Sun Coast Casino. The ladies enjoyed Durban’s early morning sea breeze in the company of family and friends while chatting, laughing, taking pictures and selfies.

Although the walk was held on 3 September 2022, it was in celebration of Women’s Month. This year’s theme was ‘#IRise’ aimed at encouraging women to rise collectively in order to conquer whatever challenges they are face with in life. Dr Veena Partab resonated deeply with this year’s theme stating: “I had to deal with the complexities of life after losing my husband to cancer.” Dr Jade Smith, who assists a foundation that combats gender-based violence said: “I am a volunteer copywriter for the An drew Ziehl Foundation based in Gqeberha that supports women across South Africa after they have bravely completed the court process of convicting their abuser.”

This year’s entry fee of R120 would be channelled to helping child headed households through the ‘Petal Project’ and various charities that donate sanitary pads to schoolgirls. For the English and Communication ladies, this challenge gave them an opportu

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English and Communication ladies (L-R) Lindiwe Ntombela, Dr Veena Partab, Dr Ursula Vooght, Terry Herd, Dr Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi and Dr Jade Smith. Missing from picture: Ms Zizipho Mdletye. Photo Supplied.

nity to continue their passion for exercising while giving back to the community.

“I do the Pick n Pay Durban walk as well as donate sandwiches to the disadvantaged on a weekly basis at a local church. I have been making these sandwiches since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, as more people lost their livelihoods during this time,” said Dr Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi. Dr Ursula Vooght who is passionate about supporting charity organisations said: “I support the Denis Hurley Centre with a regular financial contribution and Woza Moya, the Hillcrest Aids Trust by attending their events, donating and purchasing their products.”

Fitness enthusiast, Lindiwe Ntombela has taken part in many races before. She took part in the 10km Totalsports Women’s Race on 9 August 2022, the East Coast Radio Big Fun Walk and FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.

Another lecturer who likes to keep fit is Ms Terry Herd, she said: “I do the Park run/walk every Saturday and I try to walk 10,000 steps most mornings early before work.”

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NONKULULEKO NGCOBO AND WAHEEDA PETERS

As part of the Feenix Youth Month Campaign, third-year Durban University of Technology (DUT) Video Technol ogy student, Samkelo Mlambo was given the platform by Feenix to unpack his life with a ‘Hero Video’ because of the power of his story.

Feenix puts the power back into students’ hands and legitimises their efforts as they fundraise amongst friends, families, and busi nesses. Feenix provides a transparent and trustworthy way for students to connect with their own community as well as the company’s network of givers. From 2017-2022 to date, Feenix has donated over R120 million towards 2780 students. Feenix, also honoured the Durban University of Technology (DUT) with an Appreciation Award for its continued support, valuable partnership, collaborative efforts and contribution towards ensuring that access to education is not dependent on wealth.

The emerging filmmaker, who was the first one to matriculate in his family and further his studies to a tertiary level; gave insight into his journey to DUT and his excitement on his win. “Feenix helped me a lot they have given me the opportunity to be able to tell my story, by sharing South African stories one lense at a time, I want to inspire the world like how my grand mother inspired me,” said an elated Mlambo. His love for storytelling started at a very young age when he listened to stories that his grandmother used to tell him. His grandmother was the chief storyteller, whenever she told stories she would mimic the characters and no matter how many times he heard the stories they were always interesting to listen to.

“I would share my grandmother’s stories at school. Those fiction

Youth Month Campaign W

Mlambo showcases his powerful story with a ‘Hero Video’ as part of the Feenix

Video Technology’s Samkelo Mlambo

Wstories taught us something about life. That’s how I developed a love for telling stories. Now, I want to share my stories with the world,” he said.

Mlambo grew up in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Coast, with his sister. He lost his parents at a very young age, and then stayed with his grandparents. He regards his sister as a major driving force who pushes him to chase his dreams.

“I believe in my dream and I am willing to do whatever it takes to equip myself as a young film producer. With my pas sion, I don’t only want to change my life but my community as well, I want to kill the stereotype that if you come from a disadvantaged background your dreams are limited. Anything is possible in life. Your tragedies don’t define you or what you

Scan become,” he said. Advancement and Alumni Relations Director at DUT, Zwakele Ngubane said: “We are very proud of Mlambo’s selection by Feenix with a ‘Hero Video’. He has not used his circumstances as an excuse, thus allowing them to hinder his progress, but rather it has been the driving force behind his thirst for success. Mlambo represents the many young people who want to change the narrative and work towards creating a better life for themselves, their families and their communi ties,” he said.

For more information on Feenix, visit www. feenix.org, to register go to: https://www.feenix.org/register/type

CELEBRATING WOMEN in ARTS AND DESIGN

By ANDILE DUBE Photography

MBUSO NKOSI & VAL ADAMSON

This year marks 66 years since the historic and poignant march by approximately 20 000 South African women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the country’s pass laws. It is fitting that on the occasion of the commemoration of this momentous march, we reflect on the contribution of the women of 1956 in shaping our lives and also celebrate those who are carrying the torch today. While the struggle faced by women today is no longer about pass laws, it is still significant and as poignant as it was in 1956. The four women (Philisiwe Twijnstra, Nozuko Teto, Inezile Hlophe and Michelle Reynolds) featured on this special edition of SOFTCOPY are making impactful contributions into the lives of others while uplifting their own lives. Our cover which features a 2019 image of a design by one of our Fashion and Textiles student celebrates not only women in the Faculty of Arts and Design but women from all over South Africa. Women who are bold, strong, beautiful and steadfast.

Storyteller and Drama & Production Studies lectur er, Philisiwe Twijnstra became an actress because she wanted to tell stories that acknowledged and recognised her as a human being.

She shares with me that “acting became a path I took, and, on the way, I appreciated the concept of collabora tion and development.”

The 34-year-old thespian hails from Germiston- a small city in the East Rand region of Gauteng. She is a product of the Courtyard Theatre having studied Drama right here at Durban University of Technology. She also holds an MA in Creative Writing from Rhodes University.

“I graduated at DUT, I’m a ‘Courtyarden’. And began my career as an actor, I went to theatre directing and

Philisiwe Twijnstra

passionately discovered speculative fiction and began writing short fiction,” she shares.

Twijnstra who “appreciates the concept of collaboration and development” now gets to impart her knowledge, collaborate and develop her students. When I ask her if it was difficult leaving acting for lecturing, she is firm in her answer that she is an actor, she still performs and makes theatre.

She explains that for her, being a lecturer gives her the opportunity to share knowledge and to learn from her students. “Furthermore, lecturing means that together with drama students we share, we collaborate, and we create and develop. Lecturing is an interesting avenue because it is distinct and practical, similar to a produc tion rehearsal, where like-minded people with similar

Philisiwe Twijnstra

goals have gathered in a safe space to engage, create through embodying, questioning, researching, improvis ing, and importantly imagining,” she says.

Drama & Production Studies

When it comes to the treatment of women in the South African film and television industry, her thoughts are that women are still not treated equally to their male counterparts.

“We undervalue womxn/non-binary performers, in my opinion, even though there are female performers working, possibly 9 out of 10, it is a male director/producer who has paved the way. But I’ve often wondered what would happen if a female actor oversaw the story and the resources. I do believe that more female actors could contribute to the development of the economy of the country, and that women in the theatre should receive the same level of care as young men do.”

While she admits that the entertainment industry can be brutal, she notes that there is a sisterhood and spac es where women creatives can be free and bold. When I ask her who she looks up to in the industry, Twijnstra tells me that as a creative she is inspired by Audre Lord and the late anti-apartheid activist Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela, “both for being unchanging, unmoved, feminist warriors fighting for what is right and correct to exist.”

In the arts industry she is inspired by award Oscar winning actress, Viola Davis and “Masasa Mbangeni, Napo Masheane and Kerry Washington, I look at these womxn creatives and realise they have made their journey and struggle relatable. I connect with how they self-define what it means to be a black woman creative existing in world that continuously steals their shine, hence with one fist up at time, they take back what belongs to them,” she explains.

As for her career in academia and as an actor, she notes that her journey is changing and growing. “I would like to do more research, do more publications as a re searcher, playwright and create more theatre works,” she tells me.

Her advice to women who want to pursue a career in acting is “Create safer spaces for yourself. Find your OWN people, this industry can swallow and spit you within seconds. Make your work visible, never work in silos, growth carries more weight when done in collab oration, and always work with people who are better than you that is where you learn the most. Dream and balance your dreams with your reality and keep audi tioning. Know your worth, and most importantly know your actors’ rights.”

Nozuko Teto

Drama & Production Studies

Eastern Cape born, internationally ac claimed, Opera songstress and Drama & Production Studies lecturer, Nozuko Teto talks about how she balances the many responsibilities she has as a woman. These re sponsibilities include being a daughter, sibling, mother, musician, entrepreneur, lecturer and taking care of her mental health.

When I ask her how she balances her career and personal life, she tells me: “I do not think work and career can be perfectly balanced as the activities, goals and targets shift frequently. With each day, I consciously add an activity that restores me spiritually, music and medi tation, then physically i.e., a workout routine with my personal trainer, all this before I take care of my other duties and responsibilities. This way I manage to maintain a positive outlook through all the shifts that life brings.” Teto who holds qualifications from the Uni versity of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Cape Town- to mention a few, started singing in secondary school. Music has opened many doors for her and presented her with opportunities she could have only dreamed of.

The soprano singer has graced the stages of local and international theatres. Since she first set foot in the industry, she has lived and

Nozuko

Teto

performed in countries like Switzerland, Italy, Germany, UK and Ireland.

“My choir conductor at secondary school till high school, insisted on me being part of the choir, he saw something special in me that I was not aware of. I am grateful because music performance bought me a ticket to a university degree, a chance to a better life and a licence to dream big,” she shares.

Passion and steadfastness are what drive the vivacious Teto who was once nominated for ‘Best Young Female Singer’ by the International Opera Awards in London and Wales. In 2010 she participated in the ‘Hans Gabor Belvedere’ singing competition in Vienna, the capital of Austria. After that she was invited to the ‘International Opernwerkstatt’ in Switzerland. However, she didn’t win that competition but for Teto, it was consolation that she got the opportunity to work with international aspirants and that increased her belief in her gift. Soon after that she made her debut with the Cape Town Opera, in the title role in Puccini’s ‘Suor Angelica’. Her many achievements and accolades include play ing the role of Mama Evelyn Mandela in Peiter Louis van Dyk’s ‘Mandela Trilogy’ and not to mention rave reviews by the international media.

At one stage she got the opportunity to join the West ford Festival Opera for the Full 2015 season in Ireland playing the role of Palmyra in the rarely performed ‘Koanga’. Claire Seymour of ‘Opera Today’ wrote of her performance: “As the feisty mulatto slave girl, South African soprano Nozuko Teto was more luxurious of voice and her full tone was deeply expressive; her glossy lyricism and superb diction made an immediate impact drawing us into Palmyra’s plight. This was a welljudged portrayal, both vibrant and touching.”

When I ask her if it was difficult to leave her first love-

music- for lecturing, she tells me that she is still very much involved with the craft.

“Fortunately, I did not have to leave or pause my sing ing career when I joined DUT. In my department we are actually encouraged to perform more and invite students to watch us as their lecturers in in action, we aim to inspire through those experiences. My students have participated in my projects and some have attend ed my concerts. I still perform, all I need do is ensure that the dates and times do not clash with my work responsibilities and engagements and declare prior to the performance.”

Teto also tells me that she is inspired by “every resilient woman who has cho sen to stand tall in the midst of challenges and not give up on their dreams.”

As for her career in academia and as a musician, she still has big dreams that she hopes to achieve.

“In academia, a PhD qualification, as a musician, maximum visibility and inspire that young girl in the most rural areas to, despite their background, have me as their beacon of hope. My story should spark hope in someone’s journey, give them a reason to keep planting the right seeds,” she tells me.

Her advice to young and upcoming women musicians is to remember that the most valuable treasure and resource they need to thrive in life is within them and they are priceless.

“Work on appreciating everything about yourself first physically, and the positive and negative life ex periences. Your voice in society and on stage will be a reflection of how you feel about yourself and your life journey. Music performance is about giving all of you, one cannot give what they do not have. Be intentional about recharging, empowering through education and creating healthy relationships. It is true that from the abundance of the heart/spirit, the mouth speaks. If you do not take care of self, travelling for music performances will be a very lonely ride and you will be exposed to vultures. Enjoy your own company, be content in whose you are, then perform from a point of fulfilment,” says Teto.

Drama & Production Studies

Inezile Hlophe

Acting has always been Inezile Hlophe’s pas sion. From a young age, storytelling has always intrigued her and it was at this time that she realised she wanted to become an actress. The aspiring actress and fourth year Drama & Production Studies student, shares with me that as a kid she didn’t play a lot with other kids in her neighbourhood but was instead fascinated with storytelling and creating imaginative realities.

“That’s when my love for the arts started and it has always been what I wanted to do growing up. There is a thrill in being able to step out of yourself and becoming someone else with a different story to tell. I plan to do that for the rest of my life,” says Hlope.

She was born in a small village called KwaMachi- situat ed in the town of Harding which is located in KwaZu lu-Natal’s Mzimkulwana River valley. She then moved to Port Shepstone- 120 km south of Durban on the mouth of the Mzimkhulu River to attend primary school. Hlophe who is inspired by South African born Emmy award nominated actress, Thuso Mbedu, describes being a student as a “full-time job on its own” but notes that balancing her studies and personal life requires disci pline.

“You need to know when to play and when to work. For a healthy mental state to succeed that, you need focus and to really believe you’ll make it through. And trust me, you will. Balance is essential. And a great support system is always the number one motivation,” she explains.

On why she is inspired by Thuso Mbedu, Hlophe says, “she has proven to us countless times that anything and everything is possible. You just have to work hard, do your part and wait for your time to come. I aspire and can only hope to be an international actress as well. She is definitely an inspiration to me.”

Of course, who isn’t inspired by Thuso Mbedu, even my self can’t help but admire her for her achievements. In a short space of time the 31-year-old Pietermaritzburg born Mbedu has achieved enormous success not only in South Africa but abroad for her acting talent. Her career has risen beyond any expectations and by the looks of things more great things are still to come for the ‘Women King’ star.

Even at the age of 22, Hlophe is not oblivious to the fact that patriarchy is still a cause for concern in the film and television industry. She tells me, “Men are given more

Inezile Hlophe

opportunities and respect in the industry. I wish to see the same for women, less stereotypes being casted. Our television needs variety and new talents. I need the industry to open up, for real.”

However, Hlophe is hopeful that change will come. When I ask her about her aspiration for the future, she tells me that the goal is to make a name for herself.

“I can only hope to tell authentic stories, bring awareness and entertainment whenever the chance presents itself. To challenge myself and my god given talent by taking risks and exploring my capabilities,” concludes Hlophe.

Not only is she a talented photographer but Interior Design lecturer, Michelle Reynolds has forged a successful career in academia that spans over 15 years. Initially she thought she would be an art teacher but “after a rather uninspired high school education, I couldn’t see myself returning to a school environment,” she says.

As fate would have it, after a stint in the Interior Design sector, Reynolds ended up in the classroom as a lecturer.

She tells me: “Thankfully, after a rewarding tertiary education at the DUT, and a couple years of professional experience as an Interior Designer- a position to lecture opened in the Department with the oppor tunity to study further. It made sense and felt right. And as they say, the rest is history.”

Reynolds’ favourite part of her job is the meaningful and crea tive engagements that she gets to share with her students and colleagues.

Reynolds

“I love that we are all continu ally learning from one another. It gives me great peace to know the reach of my work with students is as empowering and vast as it is,” says the creative.

Before we talk about the issues facing women in the workplace, I ask Reynolds about how she balances being a mother and her career. To me this is an important question because many women have to raise children while working full time jobs. We often take for granted the toll this can take on one’s wellbeing. So, for me it was important to ask all our interviewees a question about the work-life balance.

Reynolds shares that she is a mother of two young boys, Eddie (5) and Jack (3) but both motherhood and her work are fulfilling.

“It’s no small feat raising children and being an academic. As a person who aspires for a slow, meaningful, intentional life, find ing a work-life balance is a juggle at best. Both have very real demands. I guess I try to continually think of the bigger picture - and work to align my values to all I do. Thankfully teaching and parenting come as a natural extension of my character. I like to think that both fill my cup as much as they drink from it.”

For Reynolds it is im portant that women are supported so that they can thrive in their ca reers. As she points out: “Education and a career, is power – something I wish for every woman. To feel supported and seen as a parent in my work place means I am able to thrive. Having never had a line manager with children, this has not always been easy. I try to remain transpar ent about the fact that I’m a mother with those responsibilities. I also have a great deal of respect for the students I have that are studying and raising children.”

In our conversation, she suggests that it might be helpful for companies to have childcare facilities for their employees’ children. This suggestion would be of great support to working mothers who do not have the means to hire someone to look after their children while they are at work.

“I would love to know that a Breastfeeding policy was endorsed by management and that line man agers could ensure that their staff (and students) have appropriate space and time in the working day to express milk. Perhaps a dedicated discussion on managing babies and work responsibilities prior to returning from maternity leave? I am sure both would be comforting and empowering to new mothers,” she adds.

When I ask for her thoughts on gender dynamics in the interior design industry, she points out she knows of many great woman-led businesses both in KwaZu lu-Natal and nationally.

“That said, the building and construction industry certainly is male dominated. I would encourage students and graduates to make an effort to seek out and support contractors and businesses where women are represented.”

To Reynolds, Women’s Month is a time to honour all that women contribute to the workplace and society. She says it’s also a time to reflect on the struggles, inequalities and harrowing atrocities that remain. “As an academic it’s important that I engage with matters of patriarchy with students and in class. As a mother of boys, the same is true at home.”

Before concluding our interview, I ask her who are the women that have inspired her. She says countless women inspire her. She mentions her colleagues in the Interior Design Programme saying “In the ID (Interior Design) team we have a wealth of brilliant and excep tional woman who give so much of themselves to the university and their families, day in, and day out.”

She concludes by saying: “Today though, I am in awe of the extraordinarily brave women that are protesting the killing of 22-year-old, Mahsa Amini in Iran. I believe the death count today is 108 people. Every woman deserves freedom of choice, and life.”

graduation special

Legendary actress, Dr Thembi Mtshali-Jones received a standing ovation when the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Chancellor, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi conferred her with the hon orary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Arts at the DUT Celebratory Autumn Graduation ceremony held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Durban International Convention Centre on Wednesday, 20 July 2022.

In his welcome address, the DUT Senior Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Alan Khan, revealed that during this graduation season, a total of 9081 graduates over 35 sessions, 12 days in Durban and Pietermaritzburg will walk the graduation stage. He excitedly introduced the Honorary Doctorate recipient, Dr Mtshali-Jones, who currently stars as MaNdlovu on ETV’s popular drama series, Imbewu: The Seed.

He further read Dr Mtshali-Jones citation, commencing with a brief background, revealing that she was born in 1949 and grew up in KwaMashu township in Durban. Mr Khan also pointed out how she was discovered by Welcome Msomi and had performed in the original Umaba tha, the isiZulu adaptation of Macbeth in 70’s. Attendees were overwhelmed as they listened to Dr Mtshali-Jones life journey, noting her several national and international accolades throughout her stellar career.

Taking to the stage after obtaining her Honorary Doc torate, Dr Mtshali-Jones stated she was honoured to join the likes of the legends including; Jonathan Clegg,

Sipho Mchunu, Welcome Bhodloza Nzimande, Ela Gandhi, Joseph Shabalala and Steve Biko, who have all received this privilege from DUT.

Expressing her appreciation to DUT for the recognition, Dr Mtshali-Jones said: “In 2011 my city, eThekwini, gave me a Living Legend Award and I would like to repeat the same words I made on that night. I have been highly dec orated in almost all corners of the world where I have worked. This gave me a sense of achievement and pride. However, as it kept happening, I started to feel a sense of inadequacy. I had many questions I could not answer. As it happened then, I am now sure of where that emptiness stems from, despite being showered with all manners of praises and awards. The reason-being is that: no recognition, no matter how much weight and wealth it carries, can ever beat a simple gesture, such as a ‘thank you’ from your own city and more so, by a reputable institution such as DUT.”

The Executive Dean: Faculty of Arts and Design, Pro fessor Runette Kruger, saluted Dr Mtshali-Jones for her sterling contribution to the world of Arts along with the other graduates for completing their qualifications with courage and perseverance. “Allow me to congratulate our Honorary Doctor, Dr Thembi Mtshali-Jones, who has inspired us with her many accolades, her journey to success through trials and tribulations. We appreciate her words of wisdom and encouragement shared with us today. It is an honour to add her to our DUT family,” said Prof Kruger

Dr Thembi Mtshali-Jones.

MtshaliJones’ daughter thanks DUT for honouring her mother while she is still alive SIMANGELE ZUMA

graduation special

DUT Chancellor, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi with Dr Thembi Mtshali-Jones at the Celebratory Dinner.

Phumzile Mtshali, the only daughter of the legendary actress, Dr Thembi Mtshali-Jones expressed her sincere gratitude to the Durban University of Technology (DUT) for conferring her mother with the honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Arts and for honouring her with a Celebratory Dinner.

She was speaking at the lavish dinner hosted by DUT at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) on Wednesday evening, 20 July 2022. Prior to the dinner, on Wednesday morning, the DUT Chancellor, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi conferred Dr Mtshali-Jones with the Honorary Doctorate during the Celebratory Autumn Graduation held for the Faculty of Arts and Design, also at the ICC.

“I would really like to thank DUT for honouring my mum while she is still alive. This has allowed her to be able to celebrate her achievement with the people that she loves,” said Mtshali.

She shared how she admires her mother’s courage and strength to persevere through hardships, stating that she has been with her through it all. In addition, she wished her mother long, successful years.

Other speakers included legendary filmmaker and producer, Duma kaNdlovu. Speaking on behalf of the ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ crew which was also present at the event was Mr Duma kaNdlovu, the show’s Executive Producer applaud ed Dr Mtshali-Jones who stars as MaNdlovu on the show for her hard work throughout her acting career. He spoke about her consistency and dedication to performing arts.

The DUT Drama students also showcased their singing and dancing talent to the guests at the dinner. Meanwhile the ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ crew that attended the dinner sang to the guests in celebration and support of their colleague. The moment became even more special when Dr Mtshali-Jones joined in the singing, leaving the guests highly entertained and enjoying the pleasant night.

Graduating Cum Laude with the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence for the Degree of Bachelor of Education has given Sinegugu Magutshwa hope for a bright future ahead. She is extremely proud of herself for obtaining 21 distinctions out of her 29 modules.

Magutshwa (23) from Ilovu, Durban was among the School of Education graduates under the Faculty of Arts and Design who were honoured for successfully completing their qualifications at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Celebratory Autumn Graduation ceremony held at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg on 25 July 2022.

As her name was called on the graduation stage, she became emotional as she is the first per son in her family to study at a university and to graduate.

“It has been a long journey which has been worth the wait. I’m happy that I was able to finish my undergraduate degree in record time with not only a Cum Laude but also the Dean’s Merit award. A Dean’s Merit Award is afforded to the best student in a qualification and I am honoured to have been recognised as the best student,” said Magutshwa.

Magutshwa graduates with 21 distinctions

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Sinegugu Magutshwa. Photo by Vusi Dlamini.

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graduation special

Looking back in her education journey, Magutshwa said she nearly gave up on studying in 2016 after she was expelled from school due to her pregnancy. The following year, 2017 she said she went back to school complete her matric. “Life has never been easy on me. In my mat ric year, my father lost his job due to epilepsy. Things changed drastically at home especially financially as we depended on my mother who was a domestic worker working two days in a week. In 2017 towards the end of the year I received admission to DUT (Midlands Campus) to pursue the Bachelor of Education.

In January 2018, the registration money was hard to raise, some of the money had to be borrowed because I had no funding. The NSFAS status was still pending and the money saved by my mother was not enough for depositing tuition registration and residence,” explained Magutshwa.

Her father passed away when she was in her first year of study, and as ‘broken’ as she was, life had to go on. She said receiving the NSFAS funding was her breakthrough and life became much better.

Xoliswa Mavis Phillips was awarded Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit

Award for the Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching at the DUT Autumn Graduation ceremony which was held at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg on 25 July 2022.

family, husband and children for always being by her side. She also extended her gratitude to Dr Sandra Land, and the DHET for making it possi ble for her to be funded.

“I feel super excited, especially being in the first group to acquire this qualification, it makes me super excited,” said the ecstatic Phillips.

The DUT Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching Unit helps to enhance the provision of adult education for ordinary people living in Pietermaritzburg and in KwaZulu-Natal.

She expressed that it was such a proud moment for her as she was in the first group to graduate for the Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching.

It was quite a challenging journey for her with the COVID-19 rules and regulations as they were not able to attend physical lectures and had to adapt to the new online learning system, however that did not hinder her path to success. Being a funded student was what propelled her to persist and focus on the end goal which was completing her studies magnificently. Phillips was tremendously grateful that DUT provided her with data to be able to attend online lecturers and submit assignments on time.

She extended her profound gratitude to God,

She was emotional that seven of her classmates could not attend the graduation as some passed away in a tragic accident and others due to COVID-19.

“One thing I know wherever they are, they are proud as they were also supposed to graduate,” expressed Phillips.

Philips receives Cum and the Dean’s Merit for the Advanced

in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching

NONKULULEKO NGCOBO

Currently, she is employed at Correctional Ser vices under the Skills Development programme.

CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE

“With this qualification I hope to make an impact and also to extend these programmes to offend ers, showing a sense of leadership that they can do it, and we cannot be seen as educators and being under-developed,” said Phillips.

DEAN’S MERIT DEAN’S MERIT DEAN’S MERIT DEAN’S MERIT DEAN’S MERIT CUM LAUDE

Cum Laude Merit Award Diploma

Community Training

Xoliswa Mavis Phillips.

graduation special

An emotional moment for Ntuli’s mom as her daughter graduates

NOMVELO ZULU

graduation special

It is every parent’s dream to see their children graduating. Nontokozo Ntuli’s mom, Doris Sebenzile Ntuli (63) could not hold back her tears when she saw her daughter being awarded with her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

Ntuli from Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Educa tion at the DUT Celebratory Autumn Gradua tion at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritz burg, on Monday, 25 July 2022.

It was a very emotional moment for Mrs Ntuli since she knew the hardships that she went through to make this possible for her daughter. She is still in disbelief when thinking about her graduation today.

“I had to borrow money in order for my child to be registered every year because she did not have any funding. Her journey was extremely tough, I remember the time she became sick, she also had to drop out from her studies be cause she could not take it anymore. She could not even focus on her studies, I even lost count on how many years it took her to finish this degree,” she explained.

Ntuli’ s journey at DUT was filled with many difficulties as the situation back home was extremely hard to the point that she had to drop out of her studies and look for a job. Despite everything that was happening in her life she had a vision that always pushed her to achieve her dreams as she wanted to make her mom proud, and to ‘wipe away’ all the tears that she had shed for all those years.

She expressed that on her final year God came through for her as she obtained funding from SETA bursaries. Ntuli thanked her mother, the whole Ntuli family for the support that they gave her throughout her studies.

“I also want to pass my gratitude to my husband who helped me with my studies whenever I struggled. I will also want to thank my late father who would be so proud of me today if he was still alive,” said Ntuli.

Currently, Ntuli is working as a profession al teacher at Mlulama secondary School in Hopewell.

semi nars

Rhodes University’s Professor Liezille Jacobs.

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Centre for General Education in partnership with the International Cen tre of Non-Violence (ICON) recently hosted Professor Liezille Jacobs, the Head of Depart ment of Psychology, at Rhodes University for a reflective workshop titled: “Blurred Boundaries and Social Identities”.

The reflective workshop was aimed at academ ics reflecting on how their roles shifted during the heart of the pandemic, and how these are shifting again as they navigate going back to face-to-face teaching and learning. Drawing on her philosophical stance of being a construc tivist, collaborative, and reflective; Prof Jacobs shared her experience of navigating her different identities of being in the classroom (virtually, and now in-person), and leading staff in her department.

The workshop provided a space for partici pants to reflect on how they can rethink not just what they are doing (i.e., teaching), but also how they are doing it, especially as they

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transition back to face-to-face teaching and learning. Participants in the workshop reflected on the following question, regarding the return to what is deemed ‘normal’ post the height of COVID-19: “what if we don’t go back, what if we move forward?”. This is a timely reflection for the Centre, with the Centre having recently completed its strategic planning session, and as part of this process developing a new vision and mission for the Centre.

Giving practical tips Prof Jacobs emphasised that, in navigating the different identities that academics have, boundaries are both important and healthy. She reminded the participants that not having and maintaining healthy boundaries may lead to unnecessary conflict. In addition, Prof Jacobs encouraged participants to be reflective and make time to journal.

“This is an important process of recording key learning for oneself, as you navigate their differ ent identities and the move back to face-to-face teaching and learning,” she said.

The Centre for General Education hosts a workshop for academics amid return to face-to-face teaching and learning

DIAMONDS:

From the Great Star of Africa to the ‘cursed’ Kohinoor, Queen Elizabeth II’s vast jewellery collection to how you can start your own jewellery collection, writes Royal Watcher, Costume jewellery enthusiast and Softcopy editor, Andile Dube.

How to start your own jewellery collection and keep it sparkling for longer!

Diamonds

Photo taken from Facebook/ The Royal Family.

The death of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s Queen Elizabeth II has left many asking who will inherit her vast jewellery collection and if the world’s most precious and famous dia monds, namely the Great Star of Africa and the Kohinoor, will be returned to their countries of origin, South Africa and India.

On 8 September 2022, the announcement by Buckingham Palace that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had “died peacefully in Balmoral” that afternoon saw an outpouring of grief from many parts of the world. While some people expressed their sadness at the death of Britain’s long est-reigning monarch, others were quick to spec ulate on who is likely to inherit her enormous jewellery collection that dates back many years. Others pointed out the history of colonialism associated with the British monarchy. This history includes the acquiring of the worlds most famous and rare diamonds that are now centrepieces in the British crown jewels.

As Queen Elizabeth’s coffin laid in state in London’s Westminster Hall, it was draped in the Royal Standard and adorned with her symbols of power, the Imperial State Crown and the Sceptre. The two pieces of jewellery are set with some of

the most famous diamonds in the world that the British empire ‘obtained’ over a 100 years ago.

There is a distinction between Queen Elizabeth’s personal jewels and the Crown Jewels which are owned by the British state. The Imperial State Crown and the Sceptre are part of the Crown Jewels. Both are adorned with stones from the Great Star of Africa- also known as the Cullinan diamond which was discovered in 1905 in a mine in South Africa which was owned by Thomas Cullinan.

The Great Star of Africa is the largest gem-quali ty uncut diamond ever found. The first stone cut from the Great Star of Africa is called the Cullinan I. This enormous 530.2-car at drop-shaped diamond is in the Sovereign’s Sceptre. The second largest stone called the Cullinan II is set in the Imperial State Crown. The 105.6-carat Kohinoor diamond -- also spelled Koh-i-noor or Koh-i-Nûr -- was mined in India thousands of years ago and is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. Rumour has it that the diamond is cursed when worn by men which is why when it came into the possession of the Brits, it was only worn by women.

Queen Victoria wore it as a brooch and later it was mounted in the crowns of Queen Alexandra

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin draped in the royal standard with the Imperial State Crown on top.

Photo taken from Facebook/The Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth’s Portrait taken in June to mark 70 years on the British throne. Photo taken from Facebook/The Royal Family

and Queen Mary. Currently, this priceless dia mond is set in the crown created for Queen Eliz abeth the Queen Mother for her coronation as Queen Consort in 1937. She wore it again at the coronation of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953 and it will reportedly be worn by Camilla, Queen Consort, at King Charles III’s coronation. Since the beginning of time jewellery has been used to adorn the body and enhance one’s appearance. Slipping on a pair of earrings or a beau tiful necklace, bracelet or brooch can brighten any dull outfit. From priceless family heirloom jewellery, to a less expensive bespoke piece or mass-produced trendy costume jewellery, jewellery doesn’t only add that perfect ‘je ne sais quoi’ to a person’s look but can also be an expression of the wearer’s emotions.

Time and time again, pieces made from pearls, diamonds, rubies, beads and so on, make perfect

accessories. However, if you are not a jewellery enthusiast, shopping for the right jewellery can be tricky- there are just so many things to con sider!

Queen Elizabeth II was synonymous with her jewellery, especially brooches and tiaras. Her bright coloured outfits were always compli mented with her signature diamond and pearl earrings, a three-strand pearl necklace and a brooch. Most of Queen Elizabeth’s personal jew ellery collection was passed down to her by her ancestors or were gifts from her family to mark special occasions. While some of us may not have the money to buy for ourselves or gift our loved ones with expensive jewellery, if we are armed with the right information we can acquire beauti ful pieces without breaking the bank balance.

Blue sapphire-and-diamond earrings and necklace by DUT Jewellery Design graduate and owner of Minimalistic Jewellery Designs, Sanele Myeni. Photo Supplied.

Jeweller and Durban University of Technology Jewellery and Manufacture lecturer, Songezo Baleni, explains that “jewellery are objects of precious/semi-precious metal often set with gems and worn for personal adornment” and may include glass beads.

Explaining the difference between diamonds and pearls, Baleni says diamonds are the only gems made of a single element, meaning a diamond is typically about 99.95 percent carbon.

“Natural pearls form in the bodies, or mantle tissue, of certain molluscs, usually around a microscopic irritant, and always without human help of any kind. Then there are cultured pearls, these require human intervention

and care. Today, most of the molluscs used in the culturing process are raised specifically for that purpose, although some wild molluscs are still collected and used,” he notes.

Another

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

When shopping for jewellery, he says it is important to make sure that the piece you are purchasing is hallmarked; 925 sterling silver, 9ct and 18ct gold. Taking care of your jewellery is also important for its longevity. Keeping it in its pristine glittering state takes some effort since some pieces are made from materials that tarnish over time. When worn every day or exposed to sweat or water, some jewellery can fade to a dull brass shade. It is also important to clean your jewellery from time to time, and when you do not have the money to take it to professional jewellers to clean it for you, a simple dishwashing liquid and old tooth-brush DIY trick at home can help.

Engagement ring and necklace by DUT Jewellery Design set with a ruby stone surrounded by beautifully cut white stones.

Photo by Mbuso Nkosi.

At Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, members of her family paid a tribute to her by wearing jewellery that belonged to her that she had gifted to them. While we don’t know who will inherit her jewellery, I am certain we will see the jewellery being worn again, especially on occasions honouring her. I myself am considering commissioning Songezo to make me a ring in celebration of completing my Master’s and who knows, may be I will bequeath it to one of my nieces when I die, so they always have something to remember me with.

NB: The history of the British Crown Jewels was first pub lished in an article by ABC News. You can read the full article using the link below.

https://abcn.ws/3UInt8W

Colourful glass seed beads necklace and earrings by DUT Jewellery Design. Photo by Mbuso. Nkosi.

exhibitions

DUT Journalism hosts the ‘Attached to the Soil Project’ Photo Exhibition SIMANGELE

ZUMA

Professor Peter Glendenning from Michigan State University engaging with FoAD’s Executive Dean, Professor Runette Kruger during the opening of the exhibition.

The Journalism Programme under the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Dur ban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a four-day exhibition titled, Attached to the Soil Project Photo Exhibition at the City Campus. The exhibition ran from 5 to 8 Sep tember 2022.

The event featured Professor Peter Glendinning from the Department of Art, History and Design at Michigan State University. He visited DUT to exhibit the photographic collaborations he engaged in with various Higher Education Institutions in South Africa, including DUT’s Journalism students during the Attached to the Soil Project in 2019. The long-awaited exhibition was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In her welcoming remarks, Professor Runette Kruger, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at DUT said the exhibition is an outcome of the ‘Attached to the Soil Project’ started by Prof Glendinning in 2019 commemo rating the 25th Anniversary of the inauguration of Nelson Mandela. She indicated that at the time Prof Glendinning was a Fulbright Scholar in South Africa.

their own Attached to the Soil projects, and gain experience in creative problem solving in terms of (1) expressing an aspirational message through a soil-related metaphor; (2) engaging in history from a dialogic perspective – i.e. capturing history and social experience through intergenerational conversation; (3) creating a photograph expressing the metaphor and con versation.”

Prof Glendinning expressed he was proud of the DUT students’ participation and their remarkable contribution on this project. He commended the DUT Journalism Department team, especially Mrs Deseni Soobben for encouraging the students to give of their best on this project.

“What we see today is the outcome of the Attached to the Soil – project started 2019 commemorating 25th anniversary of the inauguration of President Mandela, when Prof Glendinning was a Fulbright Scholar in SA. This exhibition is a continuation of this first itera tion, after the dent that the pandemic made in international projects, globally. The long walk to get here from 2019 was fortunately not as long as that undertaken by our former president,” said Prof Kruger.

She continued to explain that the goal of the project was to encourage students to “create

“This work has been under wraps for three years because of the pandemic. I am so hap py that it can now be shared with the rest of South Africa and the world. The essence of the projects and their essential foundation is within the words of the young people like Blessing and others from this institution and elsewhere. It is the stories of ordinary, everyday people whose lives are really the essence of the work. You have the intersection of a young person who has aspirations, who has reflections of the past, reflections on the present, reflections and hopes for the future that are symbolised within their beautiful soil related metaphors,” explained Prof Glendinning.

our Alumni

Fine Art alumnus Siphesihle gets a shout-out from award-winning artist Drake

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Siphesihle Ntsungwana and his artwork.

One day, Durban University of Tech nology Fine Art graduate, Siphesihle

Ntsungwana woke up to a flood of notifications on his social media accounts. When he checked, it was his friends telling him amaz ing news that multi-award winning, multi-plat inum Canadian rapper and international star Drake had not only given him a shout-out on his stories, he had also used the portrait he had created as a profile picture.

The 24-year-old fine artist and illustrator couldn’t believe it. He wanted to pinch himself to make sure it really was happening. This wasn’t just any artist, but someone who’s a role model to Ntsungwana.

The rapper reposted the portrait on his In stagram stories, tagged Siphesihle and then changed his Instagram photo.

In an interview with Drum Magazine, Ntsung wana said: “I was inspired by his latest album so I had time to listen to it when it came out, then the next day I wanted to express my enjoyment of it through painting. I loved the fact that it was produced by one of our own, Black Coffee, even more.”

He told the publication that he didn’t expect this at all as all he was doing was what he loves - painting.

“It was a surprise. I woke up on [the album] release and saw a notification from Apple music about the album. I’m a huge fan of Drake, that’s why I enjoyed the whole album even though others bashed it,” said Ntsungwana.

He continued to share: “So, it inspired me to express myself as a big fan of him, the album made it so much easy for me to do some more work not necessarily of Drake but others while

listening to the album.”

This is not the first time that Ntsungwana has won the hearts of the rich and famous through his work.

He told Drum Magazine that during his studies, “We had an exhibition in a gallery here in Dur ban and that was where many people started to notice my work this included the likes of Okmalumkoolkat, who also fell in love with my work.”

And as the cherry on the top, Drum Magazine reports that Ntsungwana received a call for an interview to be featured in the American online newspaper, TMZ and for him it feels like a dream come true.

“It was a crazy and surprising moment for me, I did not anticipate receiving that call and being on their website and people showing love for my work on the comment section. I am happy to be one of the artists to be posted on Drake’s stories, as a big fan of him.” He says he hopes to receive more recognition of his talent as time goes on so he can sell his work.

This article was originally published by News24. com on August 12, 2022. You can read it here: https://bit.ly/3AkVzYN

our Alumni

Drama alumni win big at the SAFTAs and DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards

ANDILE DUBE

Thobani Dlomo-Nzuza. Nthati Moshesh.

Three Drama & Production Studies alumni Thobani

Dlomo-Nzuza, Nthati Moshesh and Kwenzo Ngco bo walked away with major awards during the 2022 awards season recently.

Dlomo-Nzuza was awarded Best Actor in a TV Drama for his role as Mndeni on Mzansi Magic’s eHostela, while Moshesh was announced as the winner of the Best Actress in a Telenovela category for her role as Mary Ndlovu on BET Africa’s Isono at the 16th annual SAFTAs (South African Film and Television Awards) held virtually on Saturday, 3 September 2022.

Kwenzo Ngcobo who is the breakout star of Showmax’ The Wife, won the Favourite Rising Star Award at the DStv Mzansi

Viewers’ Choice Awards 2022 at a glitzy ceremony held in Times Square, Sun Arena in Menlyn, Pretoria on June 25, 2022.

The Wife which is based on a best-selling novel series Hlomu the Wife, by DUT Journalism alumna Dudu Busani-Dube, also scooped two awards at the SAFTAs. Mqhele Zulu and Nqoba Zulu, played by Bonko Khoza and Abdul Khoza, won for Best Actor in a Telenovela and Best Sup porting Actor in Telenovela, respectively.

This wasn’t the first time DUT Drama & Production Studies former students won top awards at the SAFTAs, proving they are a force to be reckoned with in the film and television industry. At the 14th SAFTAs in 2020, DUT Drama alumnus, Wiseman Mncube won Best Actor in a Drama for his role as Jama in eHostela, while alumna and renowned television writer, Christa Biyela was announced as the winner in the Best Achievement in Scriptwriting category for 1Magic’s telenovela, The River. Also, at the 2020 SAFTAs, another DUT Drama graduate, Ferry Jele won Best Achievement in Directing for The River. Jele won the same award for directing The River in 2019 at the 13th SAFTAs.

Also, in 2019, two other drama graduates, Dawn Thandeka King and S’dumo Mtshali, walked away with top awards at the SAF TAs.

King won Best Actress in a Lead Role for her role as tough ringleader Ma Z on Mzansi Magic prison drama series Lockdown Mtshali, who shot to fame after winning SABC1’s reality competition Class Act in 2010, was announced as Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on season 2 of Is’Thunzi

Kwenzo Ngcobo.