Standing Ovation for Drama students in Germany Sabastian ...dutstudent.dut.ac.za/Lists/DUT Student... · success was inextricably connected to the sacrifices and achievements of people

Durban University of Technology | Faculty of Arts & Design Magazine | Issue Two 2016 1Issue Two 2016Durban University of Technology | Faculty of Arts & Design Magazine

Standing Ovation for Drama students in Germany Sabastian Pillay at African Art CentreFashion students shine at Vodacom Durban July ISEA2018 at DUTDigiFest

Alumnus Nosipho Mngoma wins top Journalism Award FoAD Graduation in pics

www.facebook.com/dutartsanddesign2

Editor: Andile Dube

031 373 6455/ [email protected]

Layout and Design: Nic Human

Proofreader: Andrea Alcock (City Campus Writing Centre)

Images: northcliffmelvilletimes.co.za, Nomtsikelelo Mthabela, Sbonelo

Mthethwa, Michelle Reynolds, Deseré Wadsworth, Dave Macleod/

Gameplan Media and Robin Junicke.

Cover Art: Sabastien Pillay

Publisher: Faculty of Arts and Design

Editor-in-Chief: FoAD Executive Dean, Dr René Smith

Durban University of Technology | Faculty of Arts & Design Magazine | Issue Two 2016 3

Awards and Honours

Health Journalism Award for Mngoma 6

Madhoo-Chipps wins Best Digital Humanities Tool Award 7

Hadebe shines at Chinese Proficiency Competition 8

Fashion Students dominate the VDJ Young Designer Award 9

Drama Students complete GenEd Language courses 10

Exhibition

Sabastian Pillay at African Art Centre 11

AFH takes the Art of Human Rights to UJ 12

Internationalisation in FoAD 13

Special Feature

Drama Students in Germany 14

News

Fabrice Lambert brings magic to Courtyard Theatre 15

International Collaboration in Performing Arts 16

School of Education Student in Spain 17

Community Engagement and Theatre Production 18

Marine Videography and conquering swimming fears 19

FoAD at DUT Open Week 20

ISEA2018 at DUTDigiFest 21

Graduation Special

FoAD Graduation in pictures 22

Kathrada dedicates his award to fellow struggle icons 24

Research

Theory and You! A Bluffer’s Journey by Prof Michael Chapman 25

FoAD’s Research Office making strides 26

Alumni

Mncube talks about his role in Royal Drama 27

Contents


Issue two has landed, yes! This issue is jam packed with stories of the amazing work done

by staff and students in the Faculty of Arts Design.

In this issue you can read about international photographer and fashion lecturer, Nirma

Madhoo-Chipps who won Best Digital Humanities Tool Award at the Inaugural National

Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) Book, Creative and Digital Awards

Ceremony.

You can also read about Journalism alumnus, Nosipho Mngoma who scooped an award

for Health News Reporting at the 2015 Discovery Health Journalism Awards. What I find

inspiring about Nosipho’s story is that at the age of 27 when others were settled in their

chosen careers, she chose to follow her heart and study for a second qualification. Today

she has an award to show for her bravery.

Earlier this term, departments and programmes took part in DUT’s Open

Week which attracted an estimated 12 000 learners from over 140 schools.

I would like to think this was a fulfilling experience for both the lecturers

and students who participated. We must not take for granted the impact

we have on others. I am sure for most of the learners who attended Open

Week this was their first exposure to the university environment and that

their interactions with you will always be in their memories.

As always we look forward to hearing your views on how we can improve

this magazine. If you have any stories to share, do not hesitate to send me

an email on [email protected]. You can also follow us on www.facebook.

com/DUTFacultyofartsanddesign, Instagram @dutartsanddesign and Twitter

@DutFoAD.

With that said, I would like to leave you with the words of late author and

poet Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget

what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Until next time, happy reading!

Andile

Editor’s Note


Preparing this column and signing off on ‘Softcopy’ is always a lesson

in humility. The talent and creativity that our students embody is both

humbling and inspiring.

Every year our Fashion students excel at the Vodacom Durban July. As

this normally takes place during the winter recess period, they miss out

on all our praise and recognition. This year our students have yet again

outshone their contemporaries. Earlier this year our Drama students

received a standing ovation at the 2016 Folkwang Shakespeare Festival

in Germany. We are so proud of you and equally thankful for the

teaching and support staff who play significant roles in facilitating and

harnessing student talents.

Our past, current and future students embody the ‘avalanche of hope’

that Vice Admiral Mudimu reminded us about during a DUT Graduation

address. Nosipho Mngoma’s prestigious Discovery Health Journalism

Award equally inspires. I remember Ms Mngoma as an outspoken,

courageous, mature woman student with an enquiring mind and a

passion to do more. Mostly she stood out because she was actively

involved in civil society campaigns to protect and uphold the rights

enshrined in our Constitution. She also understood that her own

success was inextricably connected to the sacrifices and achievements

of people around her. I knew then as I know now, she is destined for

great things.

Giving back, paying-it-forward and volunteering takes many forms, like supporting

community projects, representing Faculty on committees or volunteering for Softcopy

for instance. Thank you to the Softcopy team for their hard work and dedication. Most

contributors do so on a voluntary basis, committed to profiling student and staff

successes and critically, to moving the Faculty forward. In so doing they also harness their

own experiences and portfolios.

Best wishes for a productive and fulfilling second semester.

René

Dean’s Corner


In her 30s, Journalism graduate and Daily News reporter, Nosipho

Mngoma was all smiles as she accepted the award for Health News

Reporting at the 2015 Discovery Health Journalism Awards held in

Johannesburg recently.

Mngoma, who pursued a National Diploma in Journalism at the

age of 27 was among seven top health journalists who were

honoured at the gala event for their valuable contribution to high-

quality health journalism in South Africa.

Speaking to Softcopy, Mngoma said she would like her win to

inspire others to follow their dreams: “I would like my success to

show people who feel like they are not living their passion or have

had failures in life or are thinking of giving up that you are never too

old; it’s never too late to pursue your passion.”

She said: “I am proud, especially because I broke the story and the

Daily News carried it pretty much from start to finish without any

other publication being able to catch up.”

The story for which she won the award was about

a disease which had re-emerged after almost 30

years because children had skipped vaccinations.

There was subsequently a drive to have children

immunised because of this awareness.

On why she chose health reporting Mngoma said

she was influenced by her mother, who recently

received a PhD in Nursing.

“Through her work and passion for nursing, I

grew to understand the human impact of health

issues, not only on the ill person but on their family

and even community. As a journalist, I wanted

to contribute to the public’s health knowledge,”

Mngoma said.

Mosipho Mngoma (centre) with Dr Jonathan Broomberg, CEO of Discovery Health and Professor Tawana Kupe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Advancement, HR and Transformation, of University of the Witwatersrand.

Awards&Honours

Health Journalism Awardfor Mngoma

ANDILE DUBE

I would like my success to show people who feel like they are not living their passion or have had failures in life or are thinking of giving up that you are never too old; it’s never too late to pursue your passion.


Renowned fashion photographer, designer and lecturer, Nirma

Madhoo-Chipps, was among the winners at the inaugural National

Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) Book,

Creative and Digital Awards Ceremony in Johannesburg recently.

Madhoo-Chipps, won the Best Digital Humanities Tool Award for

her paper themed Future Body: Technological Embodiment In

Digital Fashion Media.

This was illustrated by a multimedia body of work that she

developed as a part of her MA in Fashion Photography at the

London College of Fashion.

“This series which can be viewed on my webpage (www.

anatomythestudio.com) consists of fashion photographs, an

interactive digital installation and a fashion

film which has been screened in London,

Melbourne, Cape Town, Johannesburg and

most recently DUT Digifest 2015,” she said.

Thrilled about her win, Madhoo-Chipps said

the NIHSS should to be commended for

recognising the Digital Humanities as an area

of research in South Africa.

“We seldom reflect on the power of imagery

in this visual-centric culture. In this vein, we

have, through the consumption of fashion

imagery, witnessed specific ideals of beauty,

narratives, body types, identities, race and

gender definitions assume universal cultural

dominance in a global landscape with a

misrepresented diversity. It is therefore an

honour to be shortlisted for the award, especially for work done in

the context of fashion imagery as research,”

Among her many accolades, Madhoo-Chipps won first prize in the

C’N’C Plug Generation Design Contest in 2012 where she was given

a Euro cheque prize and Costume National (an Italian Fashion

house) flew her to Milan to attend their show at the Milan Fashion

Week to see her design on the C’N’C catwalk.

Through its core functions of enhancing and coordinating

scholarships, research and ethical practice in humanities and

social sciences, the NIHSS seeks to redress existing deficits and also

coordinates programmes, projects, collaboration and activities in

the humanities and social sciences disciplines through existing

public universities.

Nirma Madhoo-Chipps with other winners at the inaugural National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) Book, Creative and Digital Awards Ceremony.

Awards&Honours

Madhoo-Chipps wins Best Digital Humanities Tool Award

ANDILE DUBE


Media Language and Communication student Nokuthula

Hadebe will be jetting off to Beijing to witness the final round

of the 15th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for

College Students.

Hadebe was among the students representing the DUT Confucius

Institute (CI) at the prestigious competition. She took home third

place at the 15th Chinese Bridge preliminary round which was held

at the University of Johannesburg recently.

The competition consisted of three parts: a writing test, themed

speech and Chinese cultural talent shows.

Hadebe, obtained a high score by telling the story about

her dream of becoming a professional Chinese teacher in

South Africa.

“It is because of the hard work of our Mandarin teachers

that we keep succeeding and learning more. I would like

to extend my deepest gratitude to the Chinese Bridge

Competition organizers and the teachers who helped train

us and never gave up on us. Thank you for your continued

efforts and assistance in making sure that we understand

the Chinese culture and language”, said Hadebe.

In the talent show section, the DUT CI team captivated

the audience with a series of performances including

Chinese calligraphy, Hulusi (a Chinese traditional flute), folk

dancing, cross-talk and Chinese martial arts.

The DUT CI team, was led by the Co-Deans Prof Eddie Chaobo Fu

and Prof Graham Stewart who also attended the 2016 South Africa

Chinese Language Teaching Workshop hosted by Chinese Embassy

in South Africa, Department of Basic Education, the Gauteng

Ministry of Education and CI at University of Johannesburg.

In this meeting, issues such as the training of South Africa local

Chinese teachers and the implementation of Chinese Language

curriculum in the primary and middle schools in South Africa

were discussed, which provided the direction for Chinese

teaching in South Africa.

Awards&Honours

Hadebe shines at Chinese Proficiency Competition

ANDILE DUBE AND DR EDDIE CHAOBO FU

Nokuthula Hadebe (left) at the preliminary 15th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students.

It is because of the hard work of our Mandarin teachers that we keep succeeding and learning more.


Fashion and Textile students once again “slayed” at this year’s

Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) held at the Durban Racecourse

recently.

Leona Magdelene Pillay was crowned the winner of the VDJ

Young Designer Award while Kimosha Ganas walked away with

the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge Award. Shéskia

Aprakshya Ramnath, also from DUT, scooped second prize in the

Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award competition.

Designers had to dazzle the judges on the technicality of their

outfit, how well they innovatively interpreted the theme and if

they succeeded in creating a race-day ensemble that effortlessly

portrayed the stylish and sophisticated spirit of the Vodacom

Durban July.

Trumping scores of other fashion students from around the

province Pillay’s royal blue and beige ensemble won her a once-in-

a-lifetime accompanied trip to New York Fashion Week. “My design

was inspired by the Queen of Spades who is seated right next to

the strongest card of the pack, the King of Spades. I believe that

behind every successful man is a strong woman,” she said.

Ganas’ futuristic inspired outfit with geometric prints helped her

to take home first prize for the Fashion Challenge, beating other

aspiring designers and out-of-province students. She was visibly

overwhelmed by her win, saying, “I wanted to do something

trendy and high fashion and used the diamond shape as my

inspiration. I also wanted to incorporate some fun and popping

colours” said Ganas.

The judges were made up of Invited Designers Francois Vedemme

and Kathrin Kidger, Sindi Shangase from the Durban Fashion Fair,

East Coast Radio presenter and media personality Terence Pillay as

well as Fashion Editor of Grazia, Nonkuthalo Thithi.

Five of the ten the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer finalists.

Awards&Honours

Fashion Students dominate the Vodacom Durban July

ANDILE DUBE

Trumping scores of other fashion students from around the province Pillay’s royal blue and beige ensemble won her a once-in-a-lifetime accompanied trip to New York Fashion Week.


26 Drama and Production Studies students successfully

completed Conversational French, Mandarin and Portuguese

General Education (GE) Modules and were awarded certificates of

participation at a ceremony held at the Courtyard Theatre at the

end of term two.

The ceremony also marked the departure of the three General

Education lecturers, Juliana Rosa, Dr Delphine Colin and Xinyuan

Liang who teach Portuguese, French and Mandarin respectively.

Previously students from Journalism, Interior Design and Language

Practice participated in this pilot project as a mixed group. Students

from Maritime Studies in the Faculty of Applied Sciences also

completed Gend Ed language modules in 2015. Three students

from the Maritime Studies project were given the opportunity to

travel to China.

FoAD General Education co-ordinator, Tasneem Seedat explained

that GenEd is a curriculum project which came into effect officially

in August 2012 after being approved by Senate.

Seedat explained: “These modules

are designed to enhance the

curriculum by creating a student-

centred educational experience

which will prepare students for an

increasingly diverse and complex

globalised work environment

while cultivating an engaged

critical citizenry.”

“We have developed a suite of

modules to help accomplish these

aims. Being able to expose a wider

students body to these modules in

language and culture is a one move towards this. The Faculty of

Arts and Design has worked to develop partnerships resulting in

the signing of MOU in some case. Our relationship with Confucius

Institute, Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, and

Alliance Française have given these modules a enrich cultural

depth,” she said.

One activity students participate in is a cultural day where students

from each of these modules get together to share in an intercultural

experience. There is food and music, with students sharing songs

that they have learnt in the sessions and exchanging experiences

on their interaction with these foreign languages.

Mandarin instructor, Xinyuan Liang said: “The course for level one is

40 hours in total, we also have the course for Tea Culture, Kung Fu

and Chinese Folk dance. It makes me feel great when my students

show interest in the Chinese culture and really learnt something

true from my class instead of learning about China online.”

Drama students and their lecturers at the awards ceremony.

Awards&Honours

Drama Students completeGenEd Language courses

ANDILE DUBE


Second year Graphic Design student and Interpret Durban winner,

Sabastien Pillay recently showcased his work at the African Art

Centre(AAC).

Pillay won the Interpret Durban competition in the Fine Arts

category alongside artist, Rob Mills. Both Pillay and Mills were

awarded a joint exhibition as part of their prize.

This exhibition was titled Dualities of Preservation, which means

there are two sides to everything, peace and war, chaos.

It featured 13 artworks, 8

pen and ink, 2 paintings,

1 sculpture and 1 carving.

With his exhibition Pillay

wanted to bring forth that

feeling of taking all that

emotion that one would

feel and let it ooze through

his art work. His artworks,

which depict animals and

women wearing cultural

regalia, are done using pen

and ink.

Explaining why he chose

the animals he used Pillay

said: “The animals I have

chosen are very different

from each other but all hold strengths in their own habitat.

Looking at my own culture and the heritage of South Africa I have

used figures to bring forth the passion and the beauty that both

cultures hold.”

The 21-year-old couldn’t contain his excitement at having his very

own exhibition, describing it as inspiring.

“It means a lot to get exposure in the field of art at such a young

age. I am hoping the exhibition will open new doors for me in

the industry. Overall I am

grateful to my Mum who

has given a lot to me and

always motivated me, my

friends for the support

during this mild-stone in

life and lecturers who have

inspired me. Most of all I

am grateful to my mentor,

Ashley Munsamy who is a

lecturer at Centec Ethekwini

College who has taught me

and guided me through the

process of this exhibition,”

Pillay said.

Sabastian Pillay’s work is

featured on the cover of the

current Softcopy.

Second year Graphic Design student and Interpret Durban winner, Sabastien Pillay at the opening of his exhibition at the African Art Centre(AAC).

Exhibition

Sabastian Pillay atAfrica Art Centre

ANDILE DUBE


In collaboration with the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) art

gallery, Arts for Humanity (AFH) held an exhibition titled the Art of

Human Rights at the university’s Kingsway Campus.

The exhibition featured works by 29 artists and 27 poets finding

their inspiration in the values central to all human rights, as

contained in the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights and the South African Bill of Rights.

The featured artists and poets included (among others), Diane

Victor, Kim Berman, Angus Taylor, Judith Mason, Nomusa Makhubu,

Berni Searle, Churchill Madikida, Andries Botha, Clive van den Berg,

Zanele Muholi, Vedant Nanachand and poets Lebo Mashile, Kobus

Moolman, Malika Ndlovu, Busiswa Gqulu, Chris Mann, Myesha

Jenkins and Ari Sitas.

UJ’s Fine Art lecturer, Professor Kim Berman praised AFH for its work

saying it had become a visual voice for human rights around the

world through their various advocacy campaigns of exhibitions,

workshops, poster billboards, human rights forums and discussions.

“One only has to read the list of endorsements from international

Nobel Peace prize winners and advocates for human rights to

recognize the monumental importance of this activist organisation,”

she said.

AFH’s Zinhle Khumalo said that these exhibitions were held in

order to stimulate conversations about the 20-year celebration of

the Bill of Rights entrenched in the South African Constitution.

“Human rights are a pivotal point within the Bill of Rights and

through these exhibitions we hope to allow people the platform

to express themselves in a healthy manner. All 25 articles from the

Bill of Rights are showcased here through prints, digital prints and

photographs,” she explained.

Khumalo pointed out that 17 years after Arts for Humanity held

their first exhibition, now is the time for residents to reflect on the

past years and see where the country was headed.

With this collection, “We have worked with distinguished artists

and alongside their artworks we have worked with a poet who has

deciphered the art and written a poem about it,” Khumalo explained.

Artist Vedant Nanackchand and Art for Humanity’s Zinhle Khumalo at the Art of Human Rights exhibition.

Exhibition

AFH takes the Art ofHuman Rights to UJ

SOFTCOPY REPORTER


Drama and Production Studies Lecturer Prof Debbie Lutge, Fine Art and Jewellery Design’s Head of Department Chris de Beer together, with Media Language and Communication Lecturer, Tasneem Seedat, share how their experiences of international collaborations have enhanced their teaching:

PROF LUTGE

I was asked what benefit the international travel had for me as a staff

member, however it is difficult to separate the experience into a staff

and student camp as far from home the production is identified as

an ensemble as is the case with a professional production. For all

travelling, the international exposure at the Folkwang Shakespeare

Festival 2016 hosted by the Folkwang Universitát der Künste

connotes educational illumination, establishes cultural synergies

as well as distinctions, and allows an analytical level that proves

both affirming and inspirational. The standing ovation given the

DUT South African production demonstrated that hard work

was rewarded, confirmed the authority of our interpretation, and

made us feel a welcome part of the global village. Further, in the

entire process, international directors and casts engage socially,

sharing individual interpretations of the same script and how these

interpretations embed national socio-cultural values. The cast

were given workshops in February by visiting Prof Hans Dietrich

Schmidt from Folkwang Universitát der Künste. In Germany

casts after sharing their national production, shared preparation

for the international collaboration by attending workshops

on the Alexander Technique while directors mapped out an

international collaborative interpretation of the Shakespeare under

Brian Michaels. This undertaking involved stakeholders sharing

experiences and noting how the strengths in the production are

drawn into the collaborative version. The fact that directors and

casts had watched all national interpretations, backgrounded the

workshop of a common collaboratively international production

across national, linguistic and cultural borders.

This very special festival format founded by Prof Schmidt and

Brian Michaels, allows for a global negotiation of the text in order

to create cultural synergies that speak across and to distinct

interpretations.

CHRIS DE BEERThe Reunion experience was enlightening.

It made me realise the value of the physical

surroundings of Durban. I realised that there

is a very rich cultural heritage that is available

for engaging with, and that I cannot assume

that everybody else will perceive it in the

same way I do. I also realised that one has

to experience the environment and not just

be a spectator i.e. one must eat the food

at Little Gujarat and buy some Shwe-shwe

fabric at KwaMtapuna.

TASNEEM SEEDATIn August 2015 I spent a month at the National Animation

Industry Park in Sino-Singaporean Tianjin Eco-City, China. I was

there to participate in a two-month training programme in

Gaming, Animation and Post-production. This experience was

personally and professionally enriching. The Park boasts the latest

in animation technology, the largest motion-capture studio in

Asia and the fastest rendering software in the world. As a creative

hub this was an occasion to interact with industry professionals,

share knowledge and creativity. With Turbines and solar panels

everywhere, the architecture of this Eco-City is informed by

knowledge of ecology and design principles in an effort to enable

businesses and residents to go about their daily activities in a more

efficient manner. This experience of everyday life in a new culture

provided room for reflection on other ways of teaching, living, and

perceiving the world. It allowed for the discovery of better systems

as well as an appreciation for one’s own systems. It has made even

clearer the need to equip our students with global communication

skills and to bring an international dimension to teaching and

learning. It was with regret that this journey had to abruptly end

after a chemical explosion at the Binhai Port. This period abroad was

an experience that has brought new perspective and revitalised

my teaching practice.

Fine Art and Jewellery Design HoD, Chris De Beer.

Tasneem Seedat (left) with FoAD Research Co-ordinator Dr Ernestina Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi and French lecturer Dr Delphine Colin.

Internationalisation in FoAD

Prof Debbie Lutge with Drama students at the International Folkwang Shakespeare Festival in Germany.


Earlier this term DUT Drama and Production Students travelled to

Germany to take part in the International Folkwang Shakespeare

Festival where they dazzled the crowds with their localised version

of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

The play is generally considered one of Shakespeare’s most

enduring comedies combining elements of robust hilarity with

more serious meditations on honour, shame, and court politics.

Under the direction of Prof Debbie Lutge (who designed the set for

the play and directed the cast of 12 second and third year students)

they received a standing ovation at the end of their performance.

Third year student Holly Gxubane, who played one of the lead roles

in the production, described her overseas trip as amazing and one

that will stay in her memory forever.

“The Folkwang International Festival was fairly what I expected it to

be, especially having had the organizers of the Festival paying us

a visit during rehearsals and speaking to us about the festival way

ahead. They managed to give us glimpses and pictures behind what

exactly the festival focuses on (fun, learning, experience), [what]

the stage looks like and of course more than anything else, the

environment and the people we’d be working along with,” she said.

On how their play was received Gxubane said: “Firstly, our script

was delivered in English, so they did not miss a word from the

performance. They sometimes laughed at certain lines I would

have never thought to be as hilarious.”

Nkanyiso Shezi, third year Drama student said he gained a lot of

experience from the festival and made contacts that he hopes will

help him in the future.

“I learned to have my own signature as an artist […]. Poland,

Germany, Australia and us from Africa were part of the festival and

in the end we joined together and performed an international joint

performance,” Shezi said.

He also couldn’t stop raving about the humbleness of the German

people they came across during the trip.

“The culture as a whole of the people from German, their humbled

hearts. One of the highlights was to be on the plane for the first

time and having to travel with a train to the city of Cologne and

see the dome.”

Drama & Production Studies students performing at the International Folkwang Shakespeare Festival in Germany.

Special Feature

Drama Students in GermanyANDILE DUBE


Internationally-acclaimed eclectic French artist, Fabrice Lambert

kicked off his African tour by performing his two pieces Gravité and

D’Eux #2 at DUT’s Courtyard Theatre.

Lambert, who combines dance, choreography and installation, was

brought to South Africa by the French Institute of South Africa and

the Alliance Française de Durban.

He completed his training at the Centre National de Danse

Contemporaine (CNDC) Angers and became the co-founder and

now sole director of l’Expérience Harmaat.

With his performance, Lambert captivated the audience by

expanding their perceptions through his work with abstraction,

the deconstruction of complex ideas into their most basic states of

being in pieces like, D’Eux #2. In this piece, Lambert took inspiration

from Russian painter, Kazimir Malevich with focus on the work,

Black Square.

Lambert expanded on his work with abstraction and contextual

relevance as he played with the tonal elements of the human

figure to distort perceptions of matter and energy.

Gravité, also warped perceptions and interpretations of the

movement of the human body through the use of both installation

and choreography.

This piece presented the audience with the figure of the performer,

Lambert, on a shallow stage of water. As light and sound travels

through the water, the subtlest movements are heightened in the

water. The union of body and water, enhanced by a focused beam

of light allowing a reflection of the body on a screen, allows for the

exposure of the textual elements to the water and the movement

of the body makes for an intriguing series of images in motion.

“I continue my work on abstraction, and the context of what I

present. Considering my body as material and colour, working on

tonal, my dance, crossed by gravity, plays with our perceptions,

and brings back, from my abstract body, the energies that put in

motion,” Lambert said.

Farbrice Lambert during his captivating show at DUT Courtyard Theatre.

Fabrice Lambert bringsmagic to Courtyard Theatre

ANDILE DUBE

News


DUT Drama and Production Studies students together with the

José Limon Dance Company from the United States of America

(USA) presented a special once-off public performance at the

Courtyard Theatre that showcased the creative collaboration

between the two institutions.

The collaboration forms part of the DanceMotion USA tour to South

Africa in conjunction with the United States Consulate in Durban.

DanceMotion USA is a programme of the Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State produced by Brooklyn

Academy of Music (BAM) to facilitate cultural exchange while

showcasing the best in contemporary American dance abroad.

The programme sends American dance companies overseas

to interact with audiences and communities through dance

workshops, lectures and public performances. The José Limon

Dance Company is based in New York and consists of eight dancers

and three directors who were on a tour of Africa visiting Zambia,

Madagascar and South Africa.

José Limon Dance Company’s artistic director, Carla Maxwell, said

the DUT dancers have passion and dance in their blood and there

was an abundance of talent and hopes to come back to perform

in South Africa.

DUT’s performing arts students and the José Limon Dance Company (USA) dancers at the DUT Courtyard Theatre.

News

International Collaborationin Performing Arts

SOFTCOPY REPORTER


Fourth year Bachelor of Education student and former DUT SRC

Deputy President, Nkosinathi Phungula cannot stop talking about

his recent trip to Spain where he spent six months.

Phungula has returned from spending a semester at Madrid’s

prestigious international King Juan Carlos University.

He is the first DUT student to be afforded the opportunity to study

for a semester programme at the international university as a result

of an existing exchange programme between

DUT and King Juan Carlos University.

Established in 1996, the King Juan Carlos

University is a top Spanish public research

University and is the second biggest public

University in Madrid.

Aside from sightseeing and enjoying his

studies, Phungula has been used his spare

time in Spain to try and raise funds to

help students in financial need at DUT. He

networked at the Spanish University and met

South Africa’s Ambassador to Spain, Smuts

Ngonyama.

“Every year, we (students) find ourselves in

the same situation where there is a shortage

of funding. I have decided that since I have

been afforded the chance to be here in Spain,

maybe I can try and meet with a few people

and make them understand our situation.

The first door I knocked on was the South African Embassy here in

Spain. The ambassador really liked the idea and he has promised

to work with me and also inform relevant people about this idea.

So far the project is doing well but we (DUT) are still waiting for

potential funders to respond,” he said.

The second project Phungula is working on is to build relationships

between Spanish universities and DUT.

Fourth year Bachelor of Education student Nkosinathi Phungula at Madrid’s prestigious international King Juan Carlos University.

News

School of Education Studentspends a semester in Spain

ANDILE DUBE AND WAHEEDA PETERS


It has been a busy time for Drama and Production Studies Senior

Lecturer, Dr Pamela Tancsik and her students who hosted a number

of productions around Durban this term.

On Human Right’s Day, Tancsik’s students, Nombuso Wanda, Lizwi

Gumede and Sphephelo Dlamini led the team that took part in

the Take Your Child to Theatre initiative. Learners from Sphumelele

Primary School visited the Courtyard Theatre and were treated to

a fun-filled day which involved storytelling, games, singing and

poetry.

Wanda explains: “We as drama students are future practitioners and

we wanted to celebrate Human rights day by lending a helping

hand to children in the townships who have never been taught

to dream or to even imagine the wonders of creativity! As it is with

imagination that dreams become a reality!”

Tancsik said she was proud of her students for initiating the idea

and driving it.

The Drama Department together with the Gandhi Development

Trust Community Engagement Project also paid a visit to the

House-Kids Educare Centre in Kwa Makutha. There the students

performed stories that support the Early Childhood Development

Values Education Project – Izimpande Zobuntu.

Also in the term they held other plays such as the Baby in da House!

Boom! and a theatre flash piece acknowledging cleaners.

Drama students performing.

News

Community Engagementand Theater Production

ANDILE DUBE


One of South Africa’s leading underwater cameramen, Lloyd

Williams spent time with Video Technology B.Tech students

preparing them for filming underwater.

This was part of the students Marine Videography course which

is separated into two modules; Marine Videography Theory and

Marine Videography Practice.

DUT’s Video Technology Department is the only film training

school that offers this type of filming in the country.

Students are prepared and trained by Lloyd Williams, one of

South Africa’s foremost underwater cameramen, who has been

commissioned to shoot many international programmes.

During the theory classes they learn about the equipment

needed, the way light and cameras behave/work underwater,

how to prepare the equipment, what to expect from offshore and

underwater conditions, underwater safety, and a whole lot of other

elements.

When undergoing practical training they are taken in stages,

firstly snorkelling offshore at Vetchies Pier, then learning about

scuba equipment at Ushaka Marine World, which is followed by

operating a camera using scuba gear underwater, then operating

a camera underwater offshore at sea. The modules have various

levels of assessment during the different stages.

If students can’t swim prior to the practical training they are given

basic lessons on how to look after themselves in water.

Video Technology’s Adjunct Professor, Peter Burnett explains: “It’s a

whole confidence thing, as soon as you get beyond the mindset

that you aren’t going to naturally sink in water the students get

their confidence to go further. Lloyd has proven to be an excellent

‘swimming coach’, and it is amazing to see the change in people

once they have learnt this skill. We have had several students who

couldn’t swim complete the underwater course, and I almost think

that it is their greatest sense of accomplishment in all the years

they have been in our department.”

The proud Burnett explained that this year the department had a

student in his late 30s who learnt to swim for the first time.

“We had another student this year who as a youngster got his foot

caught in a rock trying to cross a river, and has had the greatest

fear of water ever since. At the end of the course he was scuba

diving underwater with the camera just like everyone else. We are

so proud of them (and credit must go to the other students who

empathise and encourage them),” Burnett said.

Student, Mthabisi Maphumulo added: “Marine Videography was a

whole new experience for me, and I had a couple of challenges

because I am not a good swimmer but the instructor taught me

how to swim and in less than 30 minutes I had adapted.”

Video Technology students during their Marine Videography training at uShaka Marine World.

News

Conquering swimming fearsthrough Marine Videography

ANDILE DUBE


The Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) had a strong presence at the

four-day DUT Open Week where an estimated 12 000 learners from

over 140 high schools across KwaZulu-Natal converged upon the

Fred Crookes Sports Centre at Steve Biko Campus.

Popularly known for its long history of hosting some the university’s

major ceremonies such as graduation, the Sports Centre was

transformed into an exhibition centre with FoAD’s attractively

decorated stalls adding a pop of colour.

FoAD’s participating depart-ments and programmes, Drama

and Production Studies, Fashion and Textiles, Language Practice,

Translation and Interpreting, Journalism, Graphic Design, Interior

Design, Photography, Fine Art & Jewellery Design, and Video

Technology were a hit with the learners.

DUT Open Week is an annual

event where the university

extends an invitation to schools

in and around KZN’s grade 10 to

12 pupils in a bid to assist them

in making informed choices on

their future careers.

During the event students are

also exposed to the university’s

support departments such as

Student Counselling, Financial

Aid and Scholarships, Student

Housing as well as the Central

Applications office.

Tasha Munsamy of Fairbreeze

Secondary School in Tongaat

was impressed by the Drama

department but was also

curious about what other

courses she can explore within

the Faculty of Arts and Design

should Drama Studies not

workout for her. “I have seen great performances from alumni of

DUT who studied Drama and Production Studies at DUT. I have

heard of the work of the Faculty of Arts and Design from my

neighbours who study at DUT. Through the things I have seen and

heard, my interest to come and study at DUT’s Drama Department

has grown,” she said.

Graphic Design lecturer, Sharon Zoepke who also interacted with

the learners said: “The Open Day was hugely successful with, it

seems, many more young people passing through the doors

than last year. The learners are always interested in what we do,

and walked away with our goodie bag informing them of how to

apply, when to come to our admissions test and what to bring in

their portfolio. All in all, a very busy couple of days!”

Graphic Design lecturer, Sharon Zoepke interacting with learners at DUT Open Week.

News

FoAD at DUT Open WeekANDILE DUBE


Organisers for both the 3rd Durban University of Technology Arts

and Design Digital Festival (DigiFest) and the 24th International

Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) are currently exploring ways to

incorporating DigiFest in the ISEA2018 programme.

ISEA, which for the first time ever will be hosted in the African

Continent when it takes place in Durban in 2018, has a logical

relationship to the DigiFest in that many of the core explorations

and endeavours of ISEA are what DigiFest is striving towards.

Last year Fine Art Lecturer, Greg Streak who is part of the core-

committee as well as the curatorial team for ISEA2018 represented

the Executive Dean: Faculty of Arts and Design in Vancouver,

Canada to bid for Durban to host ISEA in 2018. The team won the

bid against Liverpool, UK and Dundee, Scotland.

ISEA has been run and hosted 22 times, more or less on an annual

basis, in different countries around the World. It is the premiere

event of its kind, with cutting-edge outputs and collaborations Art,

Science and Technology.

Members of the ISEA2018 Core team, including Streak and the

FoAD Executive Dean, Dr René Smith, travelled to Hong Kong for

ISEA2016 where they presented to ISEA delegates and the ISEA

International Board. They also attended exhibitions and symposium

break-away sessions to get a sense of the intensity and complexity

of what an ISEA event entails.

Streak explained: “We see ISEA2018 as a catalyst for what DigiFest

2019 can be! This year, we are looking at shaking the DUTdigiFest

up a bit by enforcing a “quality” control to ensure that what gets

seen as flagship events, platforms or forums, are those that speak

directly to the notions of Digital.”

The DigiFest opening night Keynote address will be delivered

by Marcus Neustetter, the Executive Director for ISEA2018.

DigiFest2016 will provide a platform for the launch of ISEA2018.

DigiFest2016 takes place on 9 and 10 September under the theme

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on”, in commemoration

of #Shakespeare400. Streak said Departments within FoAD need

to understand the magnitude and significance of hosting this

International symposium.

“Hong Kong saw the attendance of over 470 delegates, 200

volunteers, 77 conference sessions, over 60 artists involved in

exhibitions, 7 keynote speakers ... But before we can get to that

point, we first need the faculty to embrace the DUTDigiFest as a

platform to celebrate and interrogate the notion of Digital in its

many guises,” he said.

He emphasised that DUTDigiFest is strategically about embracing

Digital within the curriculum as a specific aim. According to Streak,

this needs to happen at “a departmental level or through the cross-

pollination between departments within the faculty. I am going

to get involved in facilitating this process and unpacking what

electronic or digital art is and what it can be, based on the specifics

of each department’s aims and objectives. To find ways to show

how it can be integrated with a slight shift in focus, rather than the

idea that everything has to be discarded for this purpose. The hope

is that it allows and encourages departmental collaborations, not

only within the faculty, but across faculties too”.

Interior Design Exhibition at the 2015 DUT Arts and Design Digital Festival.

News

ISEA2o18 at DUTDigiFestANDILE DUBE


Graduation Special


Graduation Special


Anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada was recently conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Design during the DUT Faculty of Arts and Design graduation ceremony.

Kathrada was honoured for his contributions to literature as well as his outstanding contribution towards South African human rights and social justice.

He spent 26 years in prison on Robben Island along with former president Nelson Mandela and anti-apartheid activistWalter Sisulu. Although there was an 11-year age gap between the two (Mandela and Kathrada), they became close friends. “I dedicate this honour to the men and women who are martyrs of our struggle and freedom. I had the privilege of spending my life sentence with Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu”.

Kathrada went on to say, “I thank you for this honour and will always remember it. I dedicate it to those who did not have the opportunity to see it.”

Kathrada’s interest in literature began at a tender age of 12, when he distributed political leaflets. Although he dropped out of his formal studies in matric to become a full-time political activist, he was also amongst the first Robben Island prisoners to complete a university degree. After this, he continued studying and completed his second degree and two honours degrees.

His many writings have become pearls of wisdom. This includes his books, such as No Bread for Mandela: Memoirs of Ahmed Kathrada, where he reflects on his time incarcerated in Robben Island and Pollsmoor Prison. From the Island, Kathrada also wrote many letters to his niece, which is now captured in a publication.

Kathrada was chosen by his fellow prisoners to head their “communications” work on the Island. Working closely with activists Mac Maharaj and Laloo

Chiba, Kathrada creatively came up with ways to keep the channels of communication open among prisoners and the outside world.

Kathrada also contributed significantly to Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, which was smuggled out of prison and formed the basis for Long Walk to Freedom.

Graduation Special

Kathrada dedicates his awardto fellow struggle icons

SOFTCOPY REPORTER

DUT Registrar, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa and Ahmed Kathrada during the FoAD graduation ceremony.


Prof Michael Chapman, Retired Professor in the Faculty of Arts and

Design, recently held a research seminar titled, Theory and You! A

Bluffer’s Journey.

In his seminar Prof Chapman demystified theory in a bluffer’s

journey while alluding and discussing some key theoretical issues.

“Every proposal form askes students, what is your theory? And

students panic because no one knows what that

is. Everyone is supposed to know what it means

but no one does, including me.”

He said theory has become a growth area in

Humanities and Social Sciences, generally in

cultural analysis and academic life.

“It is assumed that the application of theory

will lead to a significant increase in our

understanding of how our culture and or society

works whether we are focusing on a scientific

discovery, the Durban inner city, the language

of politics, or the language of all of us or a J M

Coetzee novel,” Chapman said.

He also spoke about one of the oldest definitions

of culture by British anthropologist, Sir Edward

Tylor which says that culture is that complex

whole which includes knowledge, belief, heart,

morals, law, customs and other capabilities and

habits acquired by human beings as members

of society.

“So culture it seems can be almost anything. Those who apply

theory to any of the texts about culture according to which the

Durban inner city and the Coetzee novel are both texts believe that

they are pursuing knowledge and truth but of course your truth

might not be my truth. Theory is usually linked to one’s ideological

assumptions of what is valuable and what is not valuable. What is

just and what is unjust, what Is progressive and what is conservative

and so on,” he said.

Research

Theory and You! A Bluffer’s Journey by Prof Michael Chapman

ANDILE DUBE

FoAD Deputy Dean, Prof Brian Pearce and Prof

Michael Chapman.


In a bid to strengthen the partnership between the Faculty of Arts

and Design (FoAD) and its Honorary Fellows, the faculty’s Research

Office recently hosted a two-day workshop facilitated by the

Executive Dean, Dr René Smith and Deputy Dean, Prof Brian Pearce.

Other participants included, Retired Professor, Michael Chapman;

Honorary Research Professor, Bertie Neethling; Honorary Research

Fellow and DUT Registrar, Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa; Honorary

Research Associates, Drs Dianne Moodley and Mikhail Peppas;

Honorary Research Fellows Prof Dennis Schauffer and Dr Mashilo

Boloka; Profs Anthony Collins and Rolf Gaede, and FoAD’s Research

Coordinator Dr Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi.

Aside from the workshop, FoAD’s Research Office has for two years

been holding weekly research seminars that are intended to foster

a culture of research and scholarship in the faculty.

Additionally, the seminars afford staff and students an opportunity

to network and start reading papers in a safe space, respectively.

According to Dr Rapeane-Mathonsi, with respect to postgraduate

support, “Around 30 staff members are studying and getting

support from the Research Office, e.g. organising strategic

workshops on thesis writing, proposal writing, training for

supervisors, and the first Post Graduate Conference.”

The Teaching Development Grant has contributed significantly to

these activities and to the appointment of a Post-Doctoral Fellow

who facilitates the Faculty Research Methodology course.

Currently the office works with 10 Honorary Fellows, and has

facilitated a growth in research outputs from 1.83 in 2011 to 9.1

in 2016.

“We organise Talkfest as part of DUT Arts and Design Digital

Festival. We are also student-centred, working with the Post

Graduate Association and working with Interior Design MA

student to re-do the PG Lab. We also graduated 1 PhD and

4 Masters students in April, and will be graduating more in

September,” said Rapeane-Mathonsi.

FoAD’s Faculty ResearchOffice making strides

ANDILE DUBE

Research

FoAD Research Co-ordinator Dr Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi.

Currently the office works with 10 Honorary Fellows, and has facilitated a growth in research outputs from 1.83 in 2011 to 9.1 in 2016.


Former DUT Drama and Production Studies student, Wiseman

Mncube has done it again. Earlier this year, the 26-year-old scored

a supporting role on e.tv’s drama series, The Kingdom- uKhakhayi.

In the series, which has become an instant hit, Mncube who

graduated in 2012 stars alongside an A-list cast featuring some

of South Africa’s seasoned actors such as Nomsa Xaba, Mncedisi

Shabangu and Melusi Yeni.

The Kingdom - uKhakhayi is a

drama series based on the royal

AmaBhaca people that was

led by Chief Zwelakhe, who is

now deceased. The kingdom is

currently under the leadership of a

paramount chief, Jezebomvu. The

drama explores the quest for power

by the ruthless and cunning chief.

This power struggle leaves the

family divided into two camps: one

led by the matriarch and the other

by Jezembovu. Stories of power

struggles, fights for leadership,

betrayal, loyalty and backstabbing

make for compelling viewing.

The drama explores traditional

customs and inner workings of

African royalty. Viewers are taken

into the world of a family torn apart

by an inheritance battle. Devious

actions in the quest for power are

exposed.

Mncube plays the role of Mfanufikile, an idealist that believes he

has something to offer the world. The only problem is he is slight

of build and a bit nerdy and therefore easily overlooked. If he were

not a member of the royal family he’d be insignificant. He is a great

supporter of his brother, Sabelo (played by Melusi Yeni) and wishes

Sabelo would do the right thing and take up the throne, believing

that his brother would do well with him as a close adviser and ally.

“Working with people like Melusi

Yeni has been a blessing. It shows

that you are growing as an actor.

Everyone on set has been a

pleasure to work with and we have

become a close family,” he said.

Mncube who hails from Ulundi, a

small town in the heart of Zululand,

is the younger brother of another

DUT Drama and Production Studies

graduate, Ntando Mncube, known

for his many roles on TV and theatre.

“I fell in love with acting when I went

to DUT’s Courtyard Theatre to watch

my brother in a play. I was doing

grade 10 at the time and it was my

first time attending a theatre show.

It was love at first sight.”

The Kingdom – uKhakhayi airs on

e.tv every Tuesday at 9.05pm.

Mncube talks about his rolein Royal Drama

ANDILE DUBE

Alumni

DUT alumnus, Wiseman Ncube on the set of The Kingdom – uKhakhayi.

C I T YCA M P U S

D I G I F E S T . D U T . A C . Z A

D U T

DIGIFEST

9 -10sept

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