SOFTCOPY MAGAZINE

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...