Newsletter
In this issue De Beer talks gemstones #DUTDigifest Artists united against corruption Alumnus, Alan Foley Talks to Us
Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design
Issue Three 2015
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Contents Awards & Honours Fashion Shines at Vodacom Durban July First-year Education Students Win Writing Competition Graphic Design Eyes International Awards Interior Design Duo Finalists in Homewood Emerging Designer Competition
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Exhibition Themba Shibase at #NAF2015 Indian Culture Celebrated by Jewellery Design Arts Extended Students at Sustainable Living Exhibition
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News De Beer Talks Gemstones with Carte Blanche Broadcasting 20 Years after Democracy UK Student Visits Drama Department
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#DUTDigifest
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Graduation Starkey A Proud Research Supervisor Dream Team’s Mthoko Mkhathini Graduates
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Feature Nokuthila Wathi Lives Mins Away from Obama DUT Remains Close to Alan’s Heart Drama’s Thenjiwe a Local and International Hit
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Engagement FoAD at DUT Open Week FoAD Staff and Students for Madiba Artists Unite Against Corruption
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New Staff Members in the Faculty
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Editor’s Note
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t’s landed! Yes, our third issue is here and as usual it is jampacked with stories about the hard work and dedication of staff and students in the Faculty of Arts and Design. This edition of Softcopy is special to me because it features the DUT Arts and Design Digital Festival (#DUTDigifest) recently held at City Campus. The festival is a true demonstration of what can be achieved if we all work together. We have added an Alumni section to Softcopy where we profile former students from the faculty. In this issue you can read about Interior Design alumnus, Alan Foley and Drama alumna, Thenjiwe Moseley’s journeys since graduating from DUT. I am proud of my former journalism classmate, Nokuthula Wathi who is currently studying towards a Master’s degree at the University of America. I hope many of you will be inspired by her story and know that no matter where you come from, you can achieve your dreams. Congratulations to the two first year Bachelor of Education students, Siphesihle Mthethwa and Nonhlanhla Mthembu who were awarded first prizes at the DUT Writing Centre competition. I am proud to say I was the first person to use the City Campus Writing Centre when it opened back in 2009 and I still drink lots of tea with my friends there! We look forward to hearing your views on this magazine or if you any stories to share, contact me on andiled@dut.ac.za. You can also like our facebook page, by going to www.facebook.com/ dutartsanddesign, use the hashtags #Softcopy and #loveArt&Design when commenting. Putting this issue together I realised that we are left with only two months before we bid farewell to 2015. It’s amazing how fast time flies.
Until next time, happy reading! Andile
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Dean’s Corner Term three started and ended on a good note: from our Fashion Students shining at the Durban July to news that our PhD in Visual and Performing Arts is finally approved for offering in 2016. This issue of our Faculty newsletter is filled with stories about staff and student activities, projects and achievements, including the #DUTDigifest – our annual showcase. While this year’s theme and approach was different, PechaKucha and the collaborative ‘Rise of the OXX’ Fashion show returned to thunderous applause. Similarly, the Digifest Talkfest provided insight into our strategic focus on Social Innovation as well as the topical issue of new media ethics. I am pleased to report that collaboration with potential new partners is already underway at departmental level. This makes real the opportunities afforded by a festival of this nature. In evaluating the 2015 festival we will do so against these objectives: Showcase student and staff creative work and artefacts; Facilitate the integration of technology & digital; Promote partnerships & interdisciplinary collaboration; Encourage an entrepreneurial spirit, and Advance social innovation. Thank you to this year’s coordinating team and all departments who worked closely with them. A big thank you is extended to ALL our talented students, teaching, technical and support staff, as well as friends and partners of the Faculty of Arts and Design, including online #RadioDUT. We appreciate your support. Several of our DUT colleagues not only attended the festival but also supported our DigiFest merchandise. Thank you! Finally, congratulations to Prof Brian Pearce on his appointment as Deputy Dean and a warm welcome to Prof Michael Chapman who will work closely with the Deputy Dean and Faculty Research Office on Research in the Faculty of Arts and Design. To all our students and staff featured in this edition and to the many more working quietly in the background, keep inspiring! René
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Awards & Honours
Fashion Shines at Vodacom Durban July ANDILE DUBE
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Fashion and Textile students, Carla Ann Gerstmeier, Alexander Cox and Kimosha Gana took home top honours at this year’s Vodacom Durban July held at the Greyville Racecourse on 4 July 2015. Gerstmeier won the highly sought-after award with her elegant and structured design, in the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award. Her prize is a trip to New York Fashion Week sponsored by Gold Circle and Delta Air Lines. She outshone over a hundred fashion students from other design colleges across KwaZulu-Natal. Cox and Gana took second and third place respectively. The topscoring creations successfully reflected the race day fashion
The top three of the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair (from left:) Model Ane Strydom, Second Place designer Alexander Cox, Margaret Copeland (Commercial Director for Southern Africa for Delta Air Lines), winner Carla Ann Gerstmeier, model Xia Narain, third place designer Kimosha Ganas, model Tayla Horn.
theme of ‘The Captain’s Table’, aligned with the judge’s brief and above all, encapsulated the stylish spirit of the annual horseracing event. Gerstmeier was both excited and overwhelmed by her race day win and based her design on, “the champagne served at the captain’s table, made of white champagne and black grapes, which helped me to create a bubbly yet seductive woman”, she said. The Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge was no exception with three DUT Fashion and Textile graduates, Caitlin Shoesmith, Bianca van Rooyen and Racine Denny dominating. Shoesmith was announced as the overall winner of the competition for her navy and champagne outfit, while Van Rooyen took second place and Denny third. The excited winner explained how her, “design was all about the romanticism of a message in a bottle and a woman waiting at the beach for her message in a bottle.” www.facebook.com/dutartsanddesign
Awards & Honours
First-year Education Students Win Writing Competition ANDILE DUBE AND MXOLISI NTANZI
in their mother tongue. “Each and every time as a writer you must use the language you are good at, do not try to write in the language that you are not comfortable with. People must write about something they know well and something that they have experienced,’’ Mhlophe said. Mthethwa said it was an honour for him to be in the same room with Mhlophe, saying he is inspired by her writing. Midlands Writing Centre Manager, Nonhlanhla Zuma commended the students saying: “On behalf of the Writing Centre, I would like to congratulate these two first year BEd students for the hard work they put into the 2015 Nadine Gordimer’s Writing Competition. As Midlands Writing Centre, we are very proud of them.” 09
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First year Bachelor of Education students, Siphesihle Mthethwa and Nonhlanhla Mthembu bagged first prizes at the DUT Writing Centre competition which honoured renowned writer, Nadine Gordimer. Aimed at encouraging creative writing among students, the competition was divided into three genres, short stories, poems and essays, all under the theme of Heritage: Gender, Culture and Society. The subtopics were challenging gender stereotypes, redefining African culture, courage and resistance, freedom of expression and unity and diversity. Mthethwa’s, ‘The Mystery iPad’ won in the short story category and Mthembu won in the poem category for her work ‘I am not, but I create’. Also at the prize-giving ceremony was writer and poet Dr Gcina Mhlophe who encouraged the aspiring writers to write
Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
Awards & Honours
Graphic Design Eyes International Awards ANDILE DUBE
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Awards & Honours
in August. Eight students from the programme showcased their work at the awards student exhibition. Two students Sasha Subramoney and Brad Purchase were finalists for their work entered in to the Lories Student Awards 2015. Subramoney was announced as finalist in the student packaging design category for her Iyaspana Motor Oil work. Purchase was finalist in the student print and design craftsIllustration category for his Poetry Africa art work.
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DUT’s Graphic Design students hope to make history this year by making the university the only institution to win both the Gold Pack Awards and World Packaging Organisation’s (WPO) WorldStar Student Awards three years in a row. Students from the DUT Graphic Design Department have won both competitions for two consecutive years now. Last year, Sasha Subramoney, won the overall Graphic Design award of the Gold Pack competition, while Bradley Cuzen went on to be one of three winners of the 2014 WorldStar Student competition that was held in Brazil. Cuzen was awarded one of the three ‘WORLDSTAR STUDENT WINNER’ awards the top possible award to win in this International Competition. The WorldStar Student Awards, promoted by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), is an international packaging design competition for students undergraduate or graduate from countries around the world who are involved in projects in the field of packaging structural design and/or graphic design. The 2015 award ceremony will be held in Budapest, Hungary from 23 to 26 May 2016. The Graphic Design Programme also made great strides at this year’s Loerie Awards held at the Durban International Convention Centre
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Awards & Honours
Interior Design Duo Finalists in Homewood Emerging Designer Competition SOFTCOPY REPORTER
Meraki Partnership’s Megan Parker and René Forbay hope to win the Homewood emerging designer competition.
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Megan Parker, an MTech Interior Design student at DUT, and one of the PechaKucha speakers at the Digifest is a finalist in the 2015 Homewood emerging designer competition. Parker whose MTech research topic is “Connecting technology and sensory design: a collaborative approach to designing university learning environments in a digital age”, was also an emerging creative at Design Indaba 2015. She and another DUT Interior Design graduate, René Forbay decided to form a partnership to enter the competition, calling themselves, Meraki Partnership. Parker and Forbay both have different design styles; Megan adores contemporary design and is a true minimalist, while René is inspired by pattern, texture and colour. For their fresh and modern interior setting, which was on show at the Homewood showroom in Kramerville, they wanted the furniture to be the centre of attention, so they
used pattern and colour. Through their designs they want to show that furniture can be used in all kinds of spaces, not residential but also corporate. Parker said: “We’re not going to be here forever but as a designer I believe it’s very important to design something that will have a long-lasting, timeless look. Wood is timeless, like jeans - sometimes it’s more in fashion than other times but it’s always there.” She continued: “We’re both very excited and blessed to have had this wonderful opportunity to use the competition as a platform to showcase our work and passion for design!” The winner for the 2015 Homewood emerging designer competition will be announced at the end of October.
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Exhibition
Themba Shibase at #NAF2015 SOFTCOPY REPORTER
Themba Shibase who showcased at the National Arts Festival (NAF) in Grahamstown.
Fine Arts lecturer and contemporary artist, Themba Shibase once again showcased his work to art enthusiasts at the National Arts Festival (NAF) in Grahamstown in July. Titled, Slightly Off Centre, Shibase’s exhibition at the NAF was a body of twenty- two paintings focusing on politicians, business tycoons, captains of industry and professional troublemakers. Shibase is bitterly critical of an outmoded patriarchal culture in which the regnant masculine ideals of authority, strength and dominance have given rise to a society based on male sexual entitlement and the abuse of women in the private realm, and dictatorial violence and corruption in the public realm. He seeks to engage “the underlying issues behind the slow pace of development on this continent”, where advance is retarded by a
system which extends to business, commerce and domestic life. Off Centre, the-title piece that gives its name to the exhibition, is a drastically simplified image consisting of a hugely enlarged screw, the table-top on which it rests, and a flat, sky-blue background. Screws hold things together, but this bent, used screw serves as an icon of disintegration, and a blatant phallic symbol reinforcing Shibase’s equation between masculinity, dominance and exploitation – a reference to governments ‘screwing the people’. Among the many activities at the NAF, there were 628 shows with 2498 performances that take place over a period of 11 days.
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Exhibition
Indian culture celebrated by Jewellery Design SOFTCOTY REPORTER AND MXOLISI NTANZI
A beautiful neckpiece that was part of the Jewellery Design Department’s exhibition at the DUT Art Gallery.
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Rich and colourful jewellery pieces were on display at DUT Art Gallery in February. DUT’s Jewellery Design Department’s second and third year students manufactured exquisite jewellery to celebrate Indian culture in Durban. Each year the exhibition has a different theme; is part of students’ Work Integrated Learning (WIL) learning and also forms part of the course’s community engagement programme. All the jewellery at the exhibition was for sale and a percentage of the sale was donated to assist pupils from Sydenham’s Bechet High School to attend an international congress. This year, 10 third year students and eleven second year students participated
in the exhibition. “This year, we decided to celebrate Indian culture in Durban. Students designed and made jewellery based on traditional Indian jewellery,” said DUT Jewellery Design lecturer, Marlene De Beer. Third Year Jewellery Design student, Seshnee Moodley, said she “thoroughly enjoyed” the project. “Finalising designs was quite a long process as new ideas came about through time at the workbench. My inspiration came from my life and history itself. Being of Indian decent, paisley patterns and Mehandi designs adhered naturally to me. Through explorations of these patterns and forms, I finalised my design. Existing
pieces of Indian jewellery also gave me inspiration in certain details of my piece. The attractive pink colour in my piece was inspired by my culture’s bright use of colours in clothing, jewellery and the home itself,” said Moodley. Nimitha Ghirao, a third year student, said she was inspired by henna designs. She chose to use the teardrop shape and parsley motif because of their symbolic meaning in Hindu culture. She plans to pursue a BTech degree based on henna designs and start her own jewellery line one day.
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Exhibition
Arts Extended Students a hit at Sustainable Living Exhibition ANDILE DUBE
Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) students strutting at the 2015 Sustainable Living Exhibition.
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Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) students were among the 280 exhibitors who took part in the 2015 Sustainable Living Exhibition (SLE) at the Durban Exhibition Centre in August. After an impressive impromptu fashion show at DUT’s City Campus ahead of the SLE, the students showcased their creative designs made from recycled material. ECP coordinator, Julie Anderson said the outstanding element in the materials was the sheer variety used and the creative ways in which they were used. “Each year the students surprise me with the way in which they creatively use ‘known’ materials in such innovative ways,” she said. eThekwini Municipality Mayor James Nxumalo said: “It is indeed a proud moment for our municipality as we opened doors to the sixth Sustainable Living Exhibition, to share ideas and information to make a difference to the planet.” With parts of eThekwini and Kwa-Zulu Natal in drought and load-shedding across the country, the exhibition was a must see event for all those seeking solutions.
Chris De Beer with Catre Blanche’s John Webb during the shoot
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De Beer talks gemstones With Carte Blanche ANDILE DUBE
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In August South Africa’s longest running investigative journalism program, Carte Blanche made a trip to Durban to interview Fine Arts and Jewellery Design’s HoD, Chris De Beer on fake gemstones and gemstone scams. De Beer, who isn’t a stranger to television interviews, spoke about the difficulties involved in identifying gemstones and fakes. He said: “This interview was particularly about Tanzanite, a relatively new gemstone that supposedly is very scarce and running out. A lot of people are sold stones that they are told are Tanzanite, but they are actually just pieces of coloured glass. It usually involves accomplices who purport to be gemmologists or jewellers that confirm the value of the gemstones.” De Beer also shared that a relative of his became a victim of a similar scam when they paid R20 000 for ‘rubies’ which were old robot glass, resin, sand and mercurochrome! “I am quite prepared to identify such stones if anybody in DUT thinks they are being scammed,” De Beer said. He said if you have the right equipment and a basic understanding of how to test the various stones (something
his students can all do) you should be able to spot the difference between fake and real gemstones. “The first test is the polariscope. It tells you about the crystal structure of a gem. Tanzanite will glow light and dark on it, whereas glass will stay dark. Glass gemstones often have moulded facets at the bottom of the stone. Cubic zirconias have polished girdles, but diamonds usually have frosted girdles.” “The problem is that the stones are usually presented in a scenario that intends to confuse you. One of the accomplices will have a piece of equipment that they point at the stone. It then beeps and they confirm the nature and value of the stone,” he said.
I am quite prepared to identify such stones if anybody in DUT thinks they are being scammed,”
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News
Broadcasting 20 years after Democracy SOFTCOPY REPORTER AND LUCKY KHANYILE
NAB’s Nadia Bulbulia and FoAD’s Executive Dean (acting), Dr René Smith.
Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
“During apartheid, we had tight censorship rules, now we are living in constitutional democracy and there is freedom of expression; which all that shows that we have made massive strides in the last 21 years,’’ said Bulbulia. Bulbulia stressed that there is a shortage of children’s content mainly because it is deemed expensive and SABC is struggling to get sponsors for these shows. However, she expressed her delight in the variety of languages used in broadcasting as a whole.
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The Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) research office hosted The National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Executive Director, Nadia Bulbulia, in July, as part of their two-hour weekly seminars. Bulbulia spoke about the NAB findings on developments in broadcasting – while considering the challenges, trends and opportunities facing the industry. She said while the broadcasting industry in South Africa is faced with many challenges, there have been significant developments in the last two decades of democracy. “In the last 21 years, there has been a massive growth in the broadcasting industry; new broadcasting licences have been issued. Before 1994, we never had three tiers of broadcasting. Now, we have public broadcasters, community broadcasters and commercial broadcasters, and that shows development. People can now access content in their own languages and we have content that caters specifically to different audiences.”
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University of Reading’s student visits drama department ANDILE DUBE
DUT’s Drama and Production Studies department creates an environment for young South Africans to express themselves and their views on the world around them, through the catalyst which is theatre. Nothing can ever be better than that, because that is where you find art. These were the words of United Kingdom’s University of Reading student, Mitchell Smith who spent a week as an intern with the Drama department in July. The 20-year-old who is passionate about theatre was born in Port Elizabeth but now resides in the UK where he is currently doing his honours in Film, Theatre and Television at the University of Reading. “I loved working in your drama department. It was an amazing experience for me as I got to see theatre from a point of view that I have never experienced,” Smith said. He said working on the Taxi project was the most interesting part of his trip because he learnt a lot about problems one can experience daily in contemporary South Africa. Comparing DUT to the UK, he said: “UK universities look to allow students to understand and develop art before the students get to create it. This means that UK students will generally have a broader knowledge of theatre, but it also means they will have far less experience than any student coming out of DUT. The approaches are very different and both have merit.”
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#Dutdigifest a feast of art and technology ANDILE DUBE
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Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
#DUTDigifest
Art and Design lovers were spoiled for choice at the two-day Durban University of Technology (DUT) Arts and Design Digital Festival that took place at the university’s City Campus from 11 to 12 September 2015. In its second year, the annual arts meets technology affair boasted close to 20 exhibitions featuring creative work by students and staff of the DUT’s Faculty of Arts and Design. This year’s theme was My/Your/Our Story which was incorporated in the festival’s programme with exhibitions like Our Digital Story, Video Voyeur, Teachers Do Technology, Work Space, Future Body, Animations, Rhinoceros, Skin, and Bombardment to mention a few. Also on offer was the Talkfest, which this year focused on digital media and social innovation. On Friday, the Press Ombud, Joe Thloloe gave a talk on digital media ethics, Kimaal Baker from World Wide Creative talked about trends in media and Dr Delphine Colin gave a presentation titled, Technology under the Skin. On Saturday, Talkfest continued with The Trinity Session’s Marcus Neustetter giving a talk titled, Am I an artist? Which was followed by Busi Dlamini the past Director of Dignity International who spoke about social entrepreneurship.
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Arterial Network’s Peter Rorvik spoke about artists as agents of change and Anita Stanbury of SA National Fashion Council spoke about opportunities for fashion.
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#DUTDigifest
DUT’s Drama department choir, One Voice performing at the #DUTdugifest opening ceremony.
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All sessions were followed by robust discussion, where participants and festival goers got a chance to interact with the speakers and ask them questions. The #DUTDigifest highlights the growing recognition of the significant contribution of arts to the country’s economy. It is also aimed at engaging local and global themes and trends, and seeks to facilitate the integration of technology in the arts and design, encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit and advancing social innovation. Another hit this year was PechaKucha featuring Tristan Horton, Nirma MadooChipps, Megan Parker, Kieron Wiehahn, Samora Chapman, Ruan Coetzee, Patrick Carmody, Steve Jones, Alister Heath, Johan Liebenberg & Nick Gordon and Adam Brandt who spoke on interesting topics ranging from robotics, photography, and interior design to drone pilots. Fashion lovers who braved the rain on Friday night were treated to a spectacular Fashion show, which had the Arthur Smith hall packed to capacity. The students showcased 15 bodice and jeans ranges along with stunning outfits from the Vodacom Durban July. The fashion show also featured the
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Rise of the OXX range, a collaborative project sponsored by Naddrama from Assegai and Javalin. Heather Farah, a fashionista from Pietermaritzburg, said she was fascinated by the DigiFest as a whole. “I toured around the City Campus looking at the work done by students; I must admit it is truly amazing how lecturers and the festival encourage young minds to explore their own feelings and emotion.� -Additional reporting by Zethembe Sotobe and Noxolo Memela
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Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
Graduation
Tony a proud research supervisor ANDILE DUBE, MXOLISI NTANZI AND SIHLE NDEBELE
Tony Starkey who has supervised 28 successful Masters in Fine Arts students.
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onorary Research Associate, Anthony ‘Tony’ Starkey is a proud man after five of the Masters students he was supervising graduated during the university’s Spring Graduation. If that wasn’t enough, one of the students, Alistair Heath, was conferred his degree Cum Laude and received the Dean’s Merit Award. To date, Starkey who joined the university in 1980 has supervised 28 successful Masters in Fine Arts students. He said: “I always felt a great sense of pride in their achievement and the sacrifices they made in the completion of their Master’s degree: Starkey said the biggest challenge he faced as a supervisor was ensuring that he was familiar with current literature relating to the students’ diverse fields of study. A total of 381 female students and 512 male students graduated during the University’s Spring
Graduation. The number of graduates by qualification were: National Diploma: 521, BTech: 325, BTech (4 year): 03, MTech: 20, DTech: 1, Master’s: 17, Doctorate: 02 and PhD: 04. Faculty of Arts and Design’s Acting Executive Dean, Dr René Smith congratulated all the graduates and also noted that it was an achievement to have 8 Masters students graduate from the faculty. “A big thank you to all – students, academics, support and admin staff- in the Faculty of Arts and Design who made our Spring Graduation a success. A special thank you to our Faculty Office, Faculty Research Office, FRC and PG Research Supervisors,” Smith said. DUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Ahmed Bawa, said: “To the parents and families of the students, you have made great sacrifices and your commitments and passion are fundamental to these students that have graduated.” www.facebook.com/dutartsanddesign
Graduation
Dream Team’s Mthoko Mkhathini graduates ANDILE DUBE
Mthoko Mkhathini (centre) with his Dream Team hip hop member’s Lusaso Ngcobo and Trevor Sineke.
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Sounds of cheers and ululation echoed the Durban University of Technology’s Sport Centre during the Spring Graduation held at the beginning of September. The excitement was evident on everyone’s faces with parents proudly praising the graduates as one by one took to the stage to receive their diplomas, degrees, Master’s and Doctorates. Graphic Design graduate and musician, Mthoko Mkhathini popularly known as Dash sent fans into a frenzy when he walked across the stage to receive his Diploma. After the ceremony was over his admirers queued to take selfies with the 23-year-old member of the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominated group, Dream Team. He took to his social media pages to express his joy, posting pictures with his band members, Lusaso Ngcobo and Trevor Sineke, and captioning them, “The true reflection of DREAM chasers! These two show me every day that anything is possible! THANK YOU #DreamsNeverDie.”
Feature
Journalism’s Wathi lives minutes away from Obama ANDILE DUBE
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Journalism Alumna and Ntuzuma Township born, Nokuthula Wathi just recently moved to America where she now lives an estimated 4 miles from US President, Barack Obama. Wathi is part of a group of 13 students from all over the country who were awarded the Fulbright Scholarship and are now studying in America. She is studying towards a Master’s degree in Arts at American University located in Washington DC, just an estimated 13 minutes from the White House. Wathi said she was encouraged by journalism lecturer, Maud Blose who is also a former recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, to put forward an application. The assessment took a year but she says she was over the moon when she heard she was accepted. “After the initial application, I did a couple of interviews, wrote placement tests, and did Skype interviews with the universities
I had applied to and finally got accepted at American University.” While away from home the 26 year old said she will miss her grandmother and her 8 year old daughter. “Leaving them behind is very hard but both of them understand the value of education and my daughter is very happy for her mommy” This isn’t Wathi’s first time in the States, in 2006 when she was doing grade 12, she was part of a student exchange programme that saw her spending some time at Walter Payton Preparatory High School in Chicago.
Nokuthula Wathi at American University’s main campus in Washington DC.
Leaving them behind is very hard but both of them understand the value of education and my daughter is very happy for her mommy
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Feature
DUT still close to Alan Foley’s heart 29 years later
Everyone who attends high profile fashion and lifestyle events in Johannesburg knows who Alan Foley is. His chic look makes him stand out from the rest. Often dressed in signature blazers mixed with bright colours you can easily mistake him for a fashion designer but Foley studied Interior Design at Durban University of Technology for four years, from 1986 to 1989. He recalls: “When I studied at DUT, which in those years, was called Technikon Natal. It was a transitional time in our nation’s history and I think that came through in our collective creative output. I loved my time there – it was four of the most creative years I have ever experienced. The Interior Design course was a three year course although I decided to continue one extra year and obtain my Higher Diploma in Interior Design so I ended up staying on a further year (1989).” After graduating he immediately worked for one of Durban’s top interior designers, Mario Rodrigues for four years. “I then ended up in Johannesburg where I stumbled into a position at the national fabric house, St Leger & Viney, taking on the role of Media Liaison and also involved myself with product development. After an eight year stint at SL&V I decided to bite the bullet and go out on my own.”Looking Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
DUT Alumnus and eminent style expert, Alan Foley
back at his career and all that he has achieved, Foley says he doesn’t regret his decision to study Interior Design. “The industry has had its ups and downs but has been very rewarding. I also think having grown up and studied in the 80s was crucial to my future as that era was a very imageconscious one and, now that I have a parallel career in fashion journalism, I think my creative upbringing and my study path helped tremendously,” he said. During his time at St Leger & Viney, part of his role was to spot interior design trends. He quickly learnt that fashion often determines what will happen in interior design. He notes: “Fashion trends often filter through into interior design a year or two later so, with that in mind, I started taking a particular interest in fashion. Eventually I partnered with my long-term friend Krishen Samuel and embarked upon a separate career in fashion trend-spotting and journalism.” As a result they started getting invited to many social and fashion related events. Now they are often on TV and radio talking about fashion as well as writing a monthly trend column for Hello Joburg Magazine.
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He wanted to become a Graphic Designer but changed his mind on the eleventh hour and chose Interior Design instead. Softcopy’s Andile Dube spoke to DUT Alumnus and well-known style expert, Alan Foley about his decision 29 years later.
Feature
Drama’s Thenjiwe a local and international hit ANDILE DUBE it big. “I lived in Yeoville and I did not like the lifestyle and sometimes I would miss auditions because I did not have money for a taxi, I then decided to go to America as an Au Pair in order to work and save money.” She lived in the USA for two years and when she returned home, the travel bug hit her and she moved to the UK through the Working Holiday Scheme. The funny Thenjiwe only intended to live in the UK for two years but she has been there for more than 10 years. She is now married, has a son and has even earned a Law Degree. On how she got into comedy she said: “In 2012, I went out with my colleagues after a good day in court, we happened to go to an open mic stand-up comedy show (in London) when they asked me to go on stage and perform. I went and did my five minutes, and I was booked to come and do a paid spot the following week, next thing I knew about three months later I was a finalist in the funny women awards, and performing at the Leister Square Theatre and I just never looked back.” Her one woman show, Laughter is the best medicine will be at the Durban Playhouse on October 17 and tickets are already on sale at Computicket. “I am really looking forward to this show as it will be just after my debut performance at the Edinburgh International Festival in August and Toronto in September,” she said.
Thenjiwe Moseley believes laughter is the best medicine
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Former Drama and Production Studies student, Thenjiwe Moseley has become a sensation on social media with her funny videos that have earned her thousands of followers in South Africa and the UK where she is based. The Durban-born actress, turned comedian studied acting at Natal Technikon, now Durban University of Technology from 1996 to 1998, a period she describes as being the best years of her life. It was at Natal Technikon that she formed friendships with actress Dawn Thandeka King and Celeste Ntuli who are on hit shows, Uzalo and Isibaya respectively. Moseley knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress but growing up in the dusty streets of KwaMashu, it never crossed her mind that one could study acting at a tertiary level. “I always thought if you were from KwaMashu and wanted to act, you joined Amajika, a performing arts school, started by famous actress Tu Nokwe and hope for Mbongeni Ngema to spot your talent and ask you to join Sarafina. So as a teenager I spent my weekends at the Nokwes, it was during this time that the late Alfred Nokwe told me about applying to study drama at Natal Technikon after matric.” After graduating, she did theatre and a bit of industrial acting but because of the lack of opportunities for actors in Durban, she moved to Johannesburg with the hopes of making
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Engagement
FoAD at DUT Open Week SOFTCOPY REPORTER
Drama students, Sphumlile Anita and Anathi Gobeni mingling with learners.
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The Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) had a strong presence at the four-day DUT Open Week where an estimated 10 000 pupils from different schools across KwaZulu-Natal flocked to the Fred Crookes Sports Centre at Steve Biko Campus in August. The Sports Centre, known for its long history of hosting some of the university’s major ceremonies, was transformed into an exhibition centre with FoAD’s beautifully decorated stalls adding a pop of colour. This arts showcase saw learners gathering around and interacting with staff working in the stalls. FoAD’s departments and programmes, Drama and Production Studies, Fashion and Textiles, School of Education, Language Practice, Translation and Interpreting, Journalism, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography and Fine Arts were all a hit with the learners. After seeing “successful DUT graduates” in her community, Andiswa Magoso from Myeka High School in Inanda decided to come to the university’s Open Week event to explore the career choices on offer. Nhlanhla Jali from Mcothoyi High School, who sees herself as a successful entrepreneur, said she saw DUT as a means to achieving those dreams. “I like entertainment which makes Journalism my favourite course. I grew up as an entertainer and I am excited that Journalism is offered at DUT. It will allow me to reach my destination of becoming an entertainment journalist,” said Jali. A total of 107 schools attended Open Week with 29 on Wednesday, 18 on Thursday, 60 on Friday, which was open to the members of the public.
Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
Engagement
FoAD Staff and Students for Madiba ANDILE DUBE AND NOXOLO MEMELA
City Campus’s Writing Centre tutors together with tutors from other DUT Writing Centres
On Mandela Day, 18 July 2015, the Faculty of Arts and Design’s staff and students joined millions of people around the world by dedicating 67 minutes of their time to honour the late former SA President, Nelson Mandela. The department of Fashion and Textiles collected toys and clothes alongside other goodies to contribute to the WE ARE DURBAN Foundation, and the students further assisted at a market that the foundation held. Journalismiziko Section editors together with some Journalism students dedicated their time by cleaning City Campus for 67 minutes. Campus cleaners were requested to rest and the students walked around campus picking up litter to ensure a clean academic environment. City Campus Writing Centre Tutors together with Tutors from other DUT Writing Centres devoted 67 minutes of their time by donating food parcels to the Nest Shelter that accommodates about 120 homeless people. If that wasn’t enough, they also conducted a clean-up at the King Dinuzulu Park adjacent to City Campus. The Nest Shelter’s Soswa Thomas said the donation shows that DUT is thinking
about the community in which it is located. “Mandela spent his time working for the community and DUT is doing the same. We really appreciate what they have done for us,” he said.
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Artists unite against corruption ANDILE DUBE
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Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
Engagement
On 16 September 2015, Durban based artists gathered at DUT’s City Campus to take a stand against corruption. Peter Mc Kenzie, Mike Van Graan, Sheryl Msomi, Tinso Mungwe, Menzi Maseko, Mphutlane wa Bofelo, Rory Booth and Louise Colvin joined DUT and Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design students at the launch of the KwaZulu-Natal Artists Unite Against Corruption Campaign. Former head of the Market Theatre’s Laboratory, Matjamela Motloung chaired the panel discussion, “reflecting on the role of the artist in South African society.” Before the panel discussion, students and the artists released red and white balloons in the campus’ courtyard, sending out a message that they do not support corruption Simultaneous marches were held in Durban, Pretoria and Cape Town on 30 September 2015 as a show of force against corruption. The Pretoria march started at Burger’s Park and finished at the Union Buildings and the Cape Town march will started at Keizergracht and finishing at Parliament, while the Durban march started at King Dinuzulu Park and ended at the City Hall. The march’s organising committee included Corruption Watch, Section27, the South African Christian Leaders Initiative, Numsa and its union allies, Treatment Action Campaign, and Awethu.
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Drawing by students at the launch of the KZN Artists Unite Against Corruption Campaign
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Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
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Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
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Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
Staff
New Faces Professor Brian Pearce has been appointed Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design. He is also Associate Professor in Drama Studies. He completed his PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London in 1992, with a thesis on Shakespeare’s late plays. From 2000 to 2008, he was Editor of Shakespeare in Southern Africa. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Honorary Life Member of the Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa. He has also directed a number of theatre productions and has worked in the professional theatre. Professor Michael Chapman has joined the faculty as a Retired Professor and will contribute to research, organise workshops and help to stimulate academic publishing in the Faculty. He was appointed as Professor of English at the then University of Natal in 1984 and, on his retirement (2010), he was Head of the English Department and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities. He is Professor Emeritus and Fellow (UKZN) and Fellow of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Prof Chapman is an NRF A-rated researcher and he is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. He is also the editor-in-chief of the accredited journal, Current Writing. Mr Gavillan Letsoalo has joined the Department of Video Technology as a junior lecturer. He will be lecturing Television Production Theory and Intro to Video to first years and doing Practical Television Production with second years. He has worked in the television and video production industry in many capacities in the past several years including directing music videos, television inserts, and live concerts.
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Durban University of Technology Faculty of Arts & Design Newsletter/Issue Three 2015
Issue Three 2015
Editor: Andile Dube 031 373 6455/ andiled@dut.ac.za Contributors: Mxolisi Ntanzi, Sihle Ndebele, Lucky Khanyile, Noxolo Memela and Zandile Mahlobo. Layout and Design: Frank Kalala Proofreader: Andrea Alcock Images: Michelle Reynolds, Bright Dimba, Mhleli Sisanda Mkhize, Siya Meyiwa, Lawrence Manyapelo, Kevin Sawyer/Gameplan Media, Andrea Caldwell, DUT Corporate Affairs and Facebook. Cover Art: Frank Kalala Publisher: Faculty of Arts and Design Editor-in Chief: FoAD Executive Dean (Acting), Dr RenĂŠ Smith