SOFTCOPY MAGAZINE

Dr Chris De Beer with FoAD's Information and Communications Officer.  NASIPHI GIGABA  The Head of Department (HOD) of Fine Arts and Jewellery Design, Chris de Beer recently completed his Doctoral Degree (PhD) in self-reflective study. Titled: “An autoethnographic exploration of Creative Design Practice: Towards Pedagogic implications”, his thesis presented an ethnographic exploration of his Identity as a creative artist, a designer and a university educator. “Being in the creative field and trying to cultivate the creativity within my students is what inspired my study. I examined my own creative practice by doing autoethnographic self-interviews of my contributions to exhibitions, and then examined the pedagogical implications inherited in these explorations,” said De Beer. De Beer’s thesis  offers a visually exemplar for artists and educators interested in exploring pedagogic implications of an enhanced awareness of self in creative practice, he also st...

NASIPHI GIGABA  (L-R) Ronicka Sirputh, Senele Hlumayo, Sue Barrett and Dr Rene Smith.  The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) staff were recently recognised and appreciated at this year’s Annual “Research & Staff Recognition Awards” hosted at the Ritson Hotel School. Opening the award ceremony and welcoming the staff was the Executive Dean of the FoAD, Dr René Smith, who emphasized the importance of hosting the awards and recognising the staff for all their determination. This year’s award ceremony marks the 4th Staff Recognition Awards and the 5th Staff Research Awards since 2014. As part of this year’s Implementation, all nominees in their various categories were appreciated with an award for their contribution towards the faculty and towards research. “We introduced the awards very interested more about the work that takes place in the faculty and over the years we decided that let us award everyone who contribu...

Graphic Design student, Hannah Smith.  NASIPHI GIGABA  Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Graphic Design students were recognized and appreciated recently at this years’ annual year-end exhibition and Student Recognition Awards ceremony hosted at the City Campus, Author Smith hall. The auditorium was packed to capacity, as parents, friends and Lectures of both third year and Bachelor of Technology (Btech) students gathered together to witness the handing over of awards, where students were being awarded for their performance throughout the year; the award ceremony was then followed by an exhibition where the students showcased their portfolio’s. Chief Commercial Officer of the Embury Institute for Higher Education and best-selling author of the crime thriller, 31 Million Reasons, Dr Naresh Veeran who was the guest speaker of the day, shared some of his experiences in the industry and encouraged the students to develop and be driven by passion in order to...

Formber DUT Journalism students.  NASIPHI GIGABA  The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Journalism department in collaboration with the Office for Advancement and Alumni Relations hosted the very first “Journalism Alumni Reunion” at the City Campus, Author Smith Hall. Journalism alumni, members of the Advisory Board, industry leaders and staff filled the auditorium to capacity yesterday, 14 November as alumni from ML Sultan Technikon, Technikon Natal, DIT and DUT were reunited for the very first time. The event hosted as a means of celebrating the achievements of DUT alumni who are making impact across the globe in the journalism industry and to also inaugurate and reconnect alumni to the institution. Keynote speaker, Dr Welcome Nzimande who is a renowned radio and TV legend encouraged the alumni to be the gear for change in their respective organisations in order to bring about the necessary improvement. “Innovation is the thing that comes ...

Ayanda Buthelezi (centre) with her mother, Dita Buthelezi and friend. NASIPHI GIGABA  The Faculty of Arts and Design’s (FoAD) year-end exhibition season kicked off on a high note with programmes showcasing exquisite students’ work. The Photography Programme recently hosted its Bachelor of Technology (BTech) year-end portfolio exhibition at the DUT Art Gallery. Eight students from the programme Zamantungwa Gumede, Ayanda Buthelezi, S’jabulisile Meyiwa, Lucky Mthiyela, Kerilyn Arumugum, Sfundo Hlangu,Sithabile Mdunge and Nolwazi Gumede showcased their best five picture’s from their portfolios.       After selecting an area of interest and submitting photographs to be assessed throughout the course of the year, the students were also required to submit a forty-page mini thesis to support their images. Once of the students, Lucky Matiyela whose work focused on his African roots said: “After doing a lot of westernised work, I decide to go back to...

 Interior Design third year student, Thabiswa Nkonyeni who was named Top Student for 2018. NASIPHI GIGABA  Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Interior Design students’ year culminated in style as their hard work was rewarded during the programme’s year-end portfolio exhibition which coincided with recognition awards where excelling students were awarded for their hard work. The exhibition which was held at City Campus yesterday, featured works by third year and BTech students who were beaming with joy as attendees marvelled at their offering. Interior Design’s Programme Coordinator and Lecturer, Susan Barrett said the programme is pleased with the end results of the students work, considering the challenges they faced throughout the year. “We are glad the year is over and that it was a fairly successful one despite the interruptions due to protests at the beginning of the year. Overall though, we were very pleased with the end result,” she said. Barre...

Chris De Beer addressing attendees at the exhibition opening.  NASIPHI GIGABA The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Fine Art and Jewellery Design  department hosted a third year and Bachelor of Technology (Btech) annual year-end exhibition yesterday,  06 November at the KZNSA art Gallery  in Glenwood. As required by each department as part of the students’ practical component, the students showcased their best designs from their portfolio’s which is a representation of the diversity of conceptual and ethical explorations from the work produced throughout the year. Fine Art Lecturer and Coordinator, David Tshabalala said that he was extremely proud of the students and hopes to see them coming back to further their education. “This year marks one of the top points throughout the years from Extended to where our students are now, there’s been so much that has been invested and I would really like to see them succeed in their careers and would also ...

NASIPHI GIGABA Another set of seven third year Fine Art students showcased their astonishing work at the Durban University of Technology’s Art Gallery recently. Titled, Siyabonga Njalo the exhibition was planned and curated by Shamil Balram, Deon Brown, Andile Hlengwa, Baphile Khuzwayo, Menzi Ngobese, Bhekinkosi Nkwanyana and Sinenhlanhla Ngcobo. The exhibition dealt with issues such as identity, culture, sensitivity, decolonial aesthesis and various socio-political challenges. The Fine Art programme requires students to be able to analyse and showcase their work in a “professional” exhibition format to be examined and critiqued by faculty approved examiners. Shamil Balram explained that even though they have each focused on documenting different social issues and subject matters, all of them remain connected to one another through broader themes in some way. Balram stated that the exhibition was a collective consideration of the way that they, as artists perceive...

NASIPHI GIGABA The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Journalism department together with the Office for Advancement and Alumni Relations will be joining forces to host a Journalism alumni event which will be taking place on Wednesday, 14 November at the City Campus, Author Smith Hall. Hosting for the very first time, the function aims to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the Journalism alumni, where alumni from ML Sultan Technikon, Technikon Natal, DIT and DUT are being brought together from years and decades gone by. Journalism lecturer , Advocate Robin Sewlal Emphasized the need to host this function seeing the impact being made by alumni in the industry. “Our alumni are excelling across the media spectrum and beyond not only in the country but also globally; it made sense to host it now flowing from discussions with various stakeholders as well as conversations with our alumni,” he explained. Apart from the illustrious alumni, members of the Advisory ...

The cast of The Little Prince  As part of the 75th anniversary of The Little Prince , the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Faculty of Arts and Design’s (FoAD) Drama Department recently hosted a three-day stage production based on the classic book at the Courtyard Theatre. The play is an adaptation of French aristocrat Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic French fable, The Little Prince which was first published in 1943. With the support of the Alliance Française de Durban, the play was staged and recreated by the Market Theatre Foundation’s brand-new theatre company, Kwasha!, and directed by Clara Vaughan and Mwenya Kabwe. The unique, multiple language South African inspired production of the French masterpiece brought to life the philosophical tale about a Little Prince who, through an initiatory journey around the galaxy, discovers adulthood and several concepts such as Love, Friendship, Happiness and Loneliness. Drama Studies Head of Department, Prof...

NASIPHI GIGABA Seven third-year Fine arts students held a group exhibition at the Durban University of Technology’s Art Gallery recently. Titled, Know Thyself, the exhibition formed part of the students’ assessment for the Communication Studies subject where they are tasked with organising and curating their own exhibition.   Students showcased work ranging from paintings, photographs to sculptures- all which spoke to the theme of self-identity. Explaining the purpose of the exhibition, one of the students, Taryn van Wyk said: “As artists we put together the exhibition called “Know Thyself” collectively to encourage self-reflection as a catalyst for the exploration of issues that question culture, identity, gender, religion and feminist objection,” said group member.” Even though Van Wyk and her colleagues, Mfundo Mhlongo, Mfezeko Gumada, Halalisani Mpunzana, Londiwe Mtshali, Star Govern and Silindile Dlamini come from different backgrounds, they combined their differen...

Callen Miller after being announced as the winner at the 19th annual PlatAfrica 2018 Jewellery Design Bachelor of Technology (Btech) student, Callen Miller scooped first prize of the 19th annual PlatAfrica 2018 jewellery design and manufacturing competition which recently hosted on Wednesday, 24 October at the Theatre on the Track in Kyalami. Miller took first place in the student/apprentice category with her Neckpiece & ring titled, “Able to be”. “I’m happy to say that I did win the completion and I am still reeling with excitement. I am extremely proud of myself and I am so grateful for the opportunity from DUT to enter such a wonderful competition; I’m also so grateful to my wonderful lecturers that helped and supported me through the process,” she ecstatically stated. PlatAfrica has been hosting for the past two decades and has had a wide range of captivating themes with this year’s 19th event held under the theme “Blessings of Love”. The theme celebra...

Some of the participants in the Emerging Researchers Workshop. The Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) recently hosted an Emerging Researchers Workshop, which was aimed at informing postgraduate students about opportunities available for them in the world of academic research. Titled, “Eyethu: Emerging Researcher Day” the workshop was held at DUT’s City Campus, and was organised by FoAD’s Research Office. It focused on exploring funding opportunities and mentorship support offered to DUT’s postgraduates which enables them to continue advancing their studies. The day also served as a drive for increasing the number of South African students enrolled for the PhD and Masters programmes. Postgraduate students were also treated to an informative session on funding opportunities offered by DUT and other funding organisations. The National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Itumeleng Tshabalala and Samukelisiwe Gambu from the Grants Management Division both spoke about how students can...

Breast cancer survivor Ronicka Sirputh. NASIPHI GIGABA The Pink Phoenix Cancer Foundation has appointed Faculty of Arts and Design’s admin assistant, Ronicka Sirputh, as its Breast Cancer Ambassador. Sirputh was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and successfully underwent treatment that saw her beating the disease.   As October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month- dedicated to educating people about the illness- Sirputh shares her journey to overcoming one of the most difficult times in her life.   In mid-2016, she noticed a “ball” on her right breast but never for one moment thought it was a cancerous lump. It was later in the year that she finally decided to have a medical check-up to see what it was. Sirputh then went to the Durban University of Technology’s Radiology clinic where she had an ultrasound done and was advised to take the printouts to her doctor. “Throughout December, I suffered with intense back pain (this was in no way related to ...

Mhlonishwa Chiliza with FoAD's Executive Dean, Dr Rene Smith. Budding artist and Fine Art Lecturer, Mholnishwa Chiliza made the Top 100 of the Absa L’Atelier exhibition which recently took place in Johannesburg.   Inspired by a broadly recognised innovator of black South African art, Gerard Sekoto and marking its 33rd anniversary this year, the L'Atelier is one of Africa’s most prestigious art competitions which rewards young visual artists aged 21 to 35 with the opportunity to develop their talents abroad. “I was very happy to be part of the Absa L’Atelier as it’s elevate the status of your work, name and the city of the Durban region,” said Chiliza. After making it through the first round where competitors had to make an electronic submission, in the second round competitors then had to make a physical submission where Chiliza made it on the top 100 of the competition. “I was very happy to get a notification that I am part of the top 100 in the entire conti...

Photographer, Thalente Khomo Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Photography alumnus, Thalente Khomo will be among the 17 vibrant artists who will be exhibiting at the Isambulo Art exhibition taking place at the Henry George Gallery in Johannesburg on Thursday. The exhibition is organised by Amasosha- a collective of young artists from Durban who united together to form a movement that will allow Durban artist to work together as a unit and help each other in uplifting their skills in this art world. “I feel very honored and excited to partake in this exhibition because it will mark my first time exhibiting out of KwaZulu-Natal and this exhibition will grow me as a photographer and a performer,” she said. Khomo stated that having her work introduced to a new audience will grant her more recognition and open more doors for her in the art industry. “I feel that being introduced to a new audience and my work being exposed to a new environment will allow me more re...

FoAD Deputy Dean, Professor Brian Pearce and Professor Michael Chapman. The Faculty of Arts and Design recently held a Deans Seminar to discuss decolonisation in Humanities. The seminar which saw the auditorium filled to capacity was themed: “To Decolonise: Where to the Humanities”. This seminar was well attended by DUT students, staff and academics. In his address, Professor Michael Chapman said the process of decolonisation was a challenge. “To decolonise is a more complex and challenging process that currently constitutes the discourse of decolonisation, either in South Africa or the globe,” he said. He further explained that it was more complex and challenging since we did not inhabit a world of singularities, whether political, economic, racial, religious or cultural. The Faculty of Arts and Design correspondingly makes an effort to zoom into the issue of decolonisation. Chapman further reiterated that the University itself had an enormous role to play in th...

Self-worth, Cultural identity and sexual purity were the topics of the day in a broadcast by Durban based radio station, Gagasi FM in collaboration with the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Excited Journalism students left no stone unturned as they voiced out their thoughts and views on the subject of virginity testing and cultural awareness during the show which was recorded at DUT’s, City Campus. The show featured guest speakers, Dr Nomcebo Mthembu from Miss Indoni, Traditional healer, Bathini Mbatha and Zama Mbonambi from Itshitshi. During the broadcast Mthembu emphasized on the importance of staying sexually pure, independent and educated as a young woman. “It is important that you don’t keep yourself pure for marriage or just to please a man but do it for yourself as an individual and your culture instead, we teach and encourage young women to be clean, educated and established,” she argued.  The show also featured newly crowned Indoni Miss Cultu...

Ms Tando Mbanga Three DUT Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) staff members graduated on Friday, 7 September 2018 during the final day of the Spring graduation season. Fashion and Textiles’ Tando Mbanga and Helen Smith and Jewellery Design’s Songezo Baleni all graduated with Master of Technology Degrees in their respective programmes Mbanga’s research focused on entrepreneurship education with the aim of motivating students to see entrepreneurship as a possible career. “I did my research on this particular field as South African Higher Education Institutions need to train, groom and motivate students to see entrepreneurship as a possible career in an economy that cannot create enough job opportunities for our graduates,” she said. She thanked her supervisors for their encouragement and support because her journey to qualifying for her Masters has not been easy. Smith’s thesis was inspired by her BTech research that looked at fashion and social media. “I research...

Mdu Mtshali accepts the prestigious Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award from Lliane Loots. DUT Drama and Productions Studies lecturer, Mduduzi Mtshali received the prestigious Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award at the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience recently. The award honours the memory of a local dancer, choreographer, teacher. Eric Mshengu Shabalala who was one of the founding dancers of the Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre in Durban who died in 2011. The award is given not only in recognition of performance or choreographic excellence, but more in recognition of dance practitioners who have worked tirelessly to help grow a culture of dance and dance training in Durban – who have supported the growth of dance as an art form at both community and regional level. Like Shabalala, Mtshali is a dance practitioner and a drama lecturer with a passion for teaching, writing and choreographing. After completing his studies at the Technikon Natal in 1999, he worked with lo...

Mhlonishwa Chiliza with his Nelson Mandela artwork. Fine Art part-time lecturer Mhonishwa Chiliza was featured in the Nelson Mandela 100 exhibition which recently took place at the swanky Melrose Gallery in Johannesburg. As a young emerging artist, Chiliza was privileged with the opportunity to showcase his work along with other world renowned established artists at this year’s Mandela Exhibition. “Seeing the value of the exhibition and being an emerging artist/sculptor, featured with world renowned establish artists, I was very honoured,” said Chiliza. After receiving an invite from the gallery Curator, Zanele Mashumi, Chilliza presented his sculpture which earned him centre space at the exhibition and was later exhibited at the SculptX exhibition which was also hosted by the gallery. “I was very excited to be a participant because it means my potential as a contemporary emerging artist in South Africa is noted and recognized,” he added. Inspired by and ded...

Graphic Design student, Hannah Smith.   Third year DUT Graphic Design student, Hannah Smith was announced as the national winner of the Number 1 Mageu Art & Soul Competition at an Afrocentric Pop-up Gallery exhibition party in Durban recently. Over a 100 hopefuls entered the creatively challenging competition but it was Smith who came out victorious walking away with a whooping R10 000 prize and internship with adverting agency, The Hardy Boys. Contestants were challenged to create a highly exclusive design for the Number One Mageu’s iconic banana packaging. After careful selection by judges, 10 finalists had to campaign for the public to vote for them via an Instagram voting mechanic. Smith’s captaining skills paid off and she won the competition with over 2500 votes. Smith’s design was inspired by the diversity and expressions of unique characters found at DUT City Campus. “Being on City campus, the arts campus, we have an array of interesting indiv...

Professor Zakes Mda. Ahead of his much publicised seminar, Unsilencing an Occluded Cultural and Historical Heritage, renowned South African novelist, poet and playwright, Professor Zanemvula Mda, famously known as Zakes Mda held an interactive session with Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) students. Mda’s visit to the Faculty of Arts and Design was part of his public lecture organised by the Durban University of Technology’s Writing Centre in an effort to inculcate the culture of reading and writing outside disciplines. It was also part of the 2018 Creative Writing Competition, which is a student development initiative for all DUT students with a passion for creative writing. The two-hour session took place at City Campus’ iconic Arthur Smith Hall and was attended by Drama, Video Technology, Journalism and English for the Arts students. During his welcome address, FoAD’s Deputy Dean, Professor Brian Pearce said it was an honour for the faculty to host the award winnin...

ECP Students during their fashion show  Newspapers, feathers and plastic bags dominated the colourful impromptu fashion show hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Design’s Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) last week Friday, 24 August 2018. The fashion show which was held at the Durban University of Technology’s City Campus Courtyard Centre saw ECP students taking to the runway to model outfits that they have made from recycled material. The fashion parade is an important fixture in the ECP’s calendar, and it forms part of the student’s continuous assessment. ECP coordinator, Julie Anderson explained that, “The students were required to produce a contemporary, sculptural fashion design piece from ‘found’ objects that will be modelled as part of an overseas fashion show and the piece is to reflect modern day South Africa and their heritage within this context.” She also added that the project makes the students stop, think and find material and in doing so, it open...

Graphic Design Students selling candy treats at DigiFest.  The Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) Executive Dean, Dr René Smith encouraged students to have an entrepreneurship mindset. Dr Smith was speaking at the second annual FoAD Student Entrepreneurship Day hosted by the faculty recently. In her address Dr Smith emphasized the importance of the faculty’s role in ensuring that students are motivated and supported to become entrepreneurs and to be business minded.   “As students, you have to learn how to make money for yourself, the goal is if you are not in full-time employment, you should be self-employed or be able to employ other people,” she urged. Eager FoAD students filled the City Campus’ Arthur Smith Hall to capacity to listen to a host of alumnus FoAD students who are thriving in their respective entrepreneurship ventures. Jewellery Design alumni and owner of Bespoke Jewellery, Glenn Adendorff joined former Fashion and Textiles’ student and founder o...

 Convenors and speakers of 2018 Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) Dean’s Seminar. The Faculty of Arts and Design hosted its annual Dean’s Seminar at DUT Courtyard last Friday, 27 July, to reflect on Africa’s higher education progress after post-colonisation. Held under the topic, Decoloniality as the Future of Higher Education, the seminar which was attended by DUT academics and students, provided insight on the colonisation’s impact on higher education systems on the African continent- with South Africa as a key focus country. Addressing the seminar, the Head of Archie Mafeje Research Institute for Applied Social Policy (AMRI) and Acting Executive Director of the Change Management Unit (CMU) in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Professor Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni said the first step of decoloniality should be the reconsideration of the languages used for teaching, learning and research. “We really need to consider using indigen...

Thando Mbulelo Mbanjwa The sky is definitely not the limit for third year Drama & Productions Studies student, Thando Mbulelo Mbanjwa who was announced as one of the winners of the 2018 Standard Bank Ovation Awards at this year’s National Arts Festival Fringe.    The awards are a celebration of artistic innovation, excellence, the exploration of new performance styles and the courage to open new conversation through the arts. The budding actress and choreographer won the award for her edutainment dance theatre performance titled I’m HIV and Living. Mbanjwa’s piece was aimed at tackling the stigma around the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and change people’s perspective on how they look at this virus.   The outstanding performance illustrated the endless possibilities of living with this disease and aimed at encouraging young people to test for HIV and to stop living in the fear of what the outcome of testing will be. “What inspired my piece is that there...

File Picture: Fine Art student, Shamil Balram.  Second year fine Arts students Shamil Balram and Sihle Seme showcased their work at the Annual Essence Festival 2017 at the Durban ICC.  Both students were invited to showcase their work at the festival, for both exposure, recognition and most importantly views & opinions on how to perfect their work by artistic critics.  “I was happy to have been invited to exhibit my work for exposure and getting an understanding of other people opinions about my work, furthermore was to meet different artists and gain some ideas in order for me to be more critical and practical as well,” said Seme. Balram said, the work focuses on questions of land ownership in post-Apartheid South Africa and unpacking our surrounding and their complex relationships to history to memory and to politics. “One of my strong characteristics are my majestic interracial background which allows me to interact with diverse communities and ...