Celebrating women in Arts and Design

CELEBRATING WOMEN in ARTS AND DESIGN By ANDILE DUBE Photography MBUSO NKOSI & VAL ADAMSON

COVER FEATURE

6This 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.

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COVER FEATURE

Storyteller and Drama & Production Studies lecturer, 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 collaboration 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 production rehearsal, where like-minded people with similar

Philisiwe Twijnstra Drama & Production Studies

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

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 spaces 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 researcher, 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 collaboration, 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 auditioning. Know your worth, and most importantly know your actors’ rights.”

COVER FEATURE Nozuko Teto

Drama & Production Studies

Eastern Cape born, internationally acclaimed, Opera songstress and Drama & Production Studies lecturer, Nozuko Teto talks about how she balances the many responsibilities she has as a woman. These responsibilities 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 meditation, 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 University 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 playing 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 Westford 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.” “Fortunately, I did not have to leave or pause my singing 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 attended 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 chosen 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 experiences. 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.

COVER FEATURE Inezile Hlophe Drama & Production Studies

Acting has always been Inezile Hlophe’s passion. 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- situated in the town of Harding which is located in KwaZulu-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 discipline. “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 myself 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 opportunity 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 creative engagements that she gets to share with her students and colleagues.

Michelle Reynolds Interior Design

“I love that we are all continually 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, finding 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.”

Michelle For Reynolds it is important that women are supported so that they can thrive in their careers. As she points out: “Education and a career, Reynolds is power – something I wish for every woman. To feel supported and seen as a parent in my workplace means I am able to thrive. Having never had a line manager with children, this has not always been easy. I try to remain transparent 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. COVER FEATURE

“I would love to know that a Breastfeeding policy was endorsed by management and that line managers 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 KwaZulu-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 exceptional 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.”