Softcopy Issue Four 2021

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DUDU BUSANI-DUBE’s Hlomu The Wife book series turned into a successful Showmax telenovela Uzalo’s director luthando mngomezulu inspires a new generation of television and film creatives

Nasiphi Debe becomes video technology’s first female student to win the emma smith art scholarship award

‘Top-notch’ virtual exhibitions from around the globe at dut’s digifest 8 Foad hosts successful 8th digifest and 7th annual postgraduate research conference

CONTENTS 2

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AWARDS & HONOURS Nasiphi Debe becomes Video Technology’s first female student to win the Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award Education’s Sibusiso Khumalo wins a laptop for completing BUSSE survey

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NEWS DUT hosts another successful 2021 virtual graduation Fashion and Textiles students showcase their work at Gateway’s Nicci Boutique Prof Zakes Mda launches his novel, AROLA - A journey into 10 Ancient African Civilisations at DUT

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COVER FEATURE

ISSUE 04 2021 CREDITS

DUDU BUSANI-DUBE’s Hlomu The Wife book series turned into a

Editor:

successful Showmax telenovela

Andile Dube 031 373 6455/ andiled@dut.ac.za

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SPECIAL REPORT FoAD hosts successful 8th Digifest and 7th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference ‘Top-notch’ virtual exhibitions from around the globe at DUT’s Digifest 8

Contributors: Andrea Alcock, Ande Msomi, Zanele Mashaba, Blessing Xaba, Waheeda Peters and Simangele Zuma Images: DUT Photography Programme, Mbuso Nkosi, Chillis Mhlongo, Thalente Khomo, Showmax and @thirdiris ,Facebook and Twitter.

Layout and Design:

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OUR ALUMNI

DUT Design Unit

Uzalo and Red Tape director, Luthando Mngomezulu inspires a new

Cover Image:

generation of television and film creatives

Thami Ntuli Publisher: Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD) Editor-in-Chief: FoAD Executive Dean, Professor Runette Kruger

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Editor’s letter While Christmas is supposed to be a time of great happiness and cheer, for many I know that it will be hard this year, especially for those who have lost loved ones.

At this time, I am reminded of a message shared by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II many years ago after the September 11 attacks in the United States. The Queen said: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

Although spoken 20 years ago, this message is still as relevant today as it was back then.

Life consists of first meetings and final partings; therefore, we must take great comfort in the memories we share with all those that we have lost, sure in the knowledge that they would want us to enjoy Christmas.

This year marked seven years of Softcopy. I have always said that for me, this magazine is a reminder of the amazing work done by students and staff in the Faculty of Arts and Design. I hope that over the years of reading Softcopy, you have been inspired by the success stories we have covered since 2015. Often when I work on a story, my intention is to show that anything is possible and to give hope of a brighter tomorrow to someone reading.

It has been an honour and a privilege to share the incredible stories, be it of current students and staff members or our alumni. In this issue, you can read about journalism alumnus, Dudu Busani-Dube who recently made history having her novels turned into a telenovela. I have worked with Dudu before, she is a wonderful and warm human being and I am enormously proud of her continued success.

I hope that you enjoy reading this issue of Softcopy and that you have a restful and joyous festive season.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

Andile

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AWARDS AND HONOURS

NASIPHI DEBE BECOMES VIDEO TECHNOLOGY’S FIRST FEMALE STUDENT TO WIN THE EMMA SMITH ART SCHOLARSHIP AWARD. ANDILE DUBE

Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award 2020 winner Nasiphi Debe

AWARDS AND HONOURS

B

udding filmmaker and Durban University of Technology alumna,

more aware of the complexity of the human experience. I want my

Nasiphi Debe made history on Monday evening, 7 December

work to live beyond the screen through making a lasting impact in

2021 by becoming the first woman from the Video Technology

society long after the credits have rolled. Essentially my wildest dream

department to win the Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award 2020.

is to become an impact producer.”

Debe was announced as the winner of the prestigious R44 500

Now in its 101st year, the scholarship was introduced in 1920 by

scholarship award during an online ceremony held by the Faculty of Arts

KwaZulu-Natal Sugar Industry Magnate Sir Charles Smith. Named

and Design on Microsoft Teams because of the Coronavirus gathering

after his mother, Smith’s endowment was made in appreciation of the

restrictions. She is the second student from Video Technology to win

work of visionary Art School Head, John Adams.

the award in its long history. The first was Ndumiso Mnguni who won

The original intention of the scholarship was to allow winners to go

in 2014 for his short film, Windows of Solitude.

overseas to study. The award has been extended to include a variety

The 29-year-old Debe won for her thought-provoking documentary,

of purposes or projects proposed by the candidates. These include

The life in-between which investigates how students who are first in

community-based workshops, further study in South Africa or the

their families to access higher education adapt to life at university.

African continent and/or solo exhibitions. The competition is open

Explaining more about her documentary, Debe said, “It explores how

to students from the full range of design, visual and performing arts

various factors such as family history, social integration, financial aid,

programmes offered at DUT. Members of the judging panel are drawn

mental health, and personal resilience influence how they perform in

from leading practitioners in the various disciplines; nominated by

their undergraduate studies.”

heads of department.

Commenting on her win, the elated Debe described winning the

Other students who took part in the 2020 competition are Lerato

scholarship as an honour and vowed to continue telling authentic

Shemi (Fashion Design), Alexandra van Heerden (Fashion Design),

stories through her work.

Siobahn Doughty (Fine Art), Sihle Alvin Inensiko (Fine Art), Charles

“As an artist I strive to produce work that can serve as a catalyst for

Zulu (Graphic Design), and Nhlakanipho Nkomo (Photography).

social change. Receiving the Emma Smith Award for a documentary film is surreal because documentaries can present an “ugly truth” in the sense that they are an unfiltered medium of storytelling, so this recognition affirms that more than producing beautiful pictures, art is first about sincerity and preserving the integrity of the message you want to shed light on,” she said.

Debe who hails from Bizana, a town in the Eastern Cape plans on using her prize money to develop her documentary from a student project into a production that meets the professional broadcast standard.

“This will enable me to submit the documentary to film festivals and to local TV channels for national broadcast thus, reaching a wider audience for greater impact. I will also be working with the Faculty of Art and Design as well as Student Counselling at DUT to launch a campaign focused on identifying and meeting the unique needs of firstgeneration students on campus with aim of better equipping them for the university environment,” she explained.

Her hopes for the future include continuing “to create work that is honest, produce films that make people more compassionate and

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AWARDS AND HONOURS

EDUCATION’S SIBUSISO KHUMALO WINS A LAPTOP FOR COMPLETING BUSSE SURVEY

ZANELE MASHABA

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he Durban University of Technology (DUT) in partnership

student outcomes by creating greater awareness and support for using data

with the Siyaphumelela Project recently awarded Bachelor of

to improve student success. Siyaphumelela also aims to build a culture of

Education first year student, Sibusiso Khumalo a laptop for

using data-based evidence and a large cadre of experienced data analytics

participating in the Beginning University Survey Student Engagement

professionals in supporting student success,” explained Singh.

(BUSSE) at Indumiso Library.

Prof Kruger who is passionate about the Siyaphumelela initiative mentioned that she is proud of Khumalo.

The Executive Dean of Arts and Design, Professor Runette Kruger, Head of Department of Education, Dr Cynthia Mthiyane, DUT Writing Centre practitioner overseeing the Midlands sites, Dr Nonhlanhla Khumalo, Executive Secretary to the Midlands Campuses Director, Mrs Silindile Qwabe, Midlands Librarian and Coordinator Ms Lindiwe Gumede and Siyaphumelela Project Coordinator, Nivedhna Singh

“I am very proud that our student won, and I will be keeping an eye on him until he graduates. Khumalo seems to be a positive person and his attitude will bring him better opportunities. He should continue making the most of such opportunities and encourage others to do so,” added Kruger.

attended the handover ceremony.

Khumalo expressed his excitement and gratitude for receiving such a valuable item.

“At first, I was sceptical thinking that it might be a scam, but I am glad to have participated, it feels like a dream as I was still trying to find ways of saving money to purchase a laptop. I am looking forward to using the laptop in pursuit of my studies, especially since classes are attended virtually,” said Khumalo.

“Siyaphumelela is an initiative which seeks to broaden evidence-based post-secondary student success strategies; the programme focuses on building student success through data analytics. It is a three-year challenge grant which is currently in phase 2. The grants are made available by the Kresge Foundation and their goals are to improve ore develop institutional capacity by collecting and integrating data with Institutional Research, ICT (ITS), Academic Development, Planning, and Academic Divisions. The project aligns with the South African Universities Models of Success in using data analytics to improve

FoAD’s Executive Dean, Professor Runette Kruger with School of Education HoD, Dr Cynthia Mthiyane, and winner Sibusiso Khumalo (centre).

NEWS

DUT HOSTS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL 2021 VIRTUAL GRADUATION SOFTCOPY REPORTER

DUT Journalism students with their lecturer Maud Blose at the 2018 graduation ceremony.

A

staggering 1549 students graduated during the Durban

Autumn Graduation ceremonies at DUT, taking the 2021 graduate total to

University

over 9900.

of

Technology’s

2021

Summer

Graduation

Ceremony on Wednesday, 01 December 2021. The event was

The Summer Graduation Ceremony was officially constituted by DUT

hosted online, via the DUT website: www.dut.ac.za and on the DUT

Chancellor, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi. DUT decided to host its graduation

YouTube channel: DUTCampusTV at midday (12h00).

ceremonies online, in order to abide by the COVID-19 regulations and to ensure the safety of the DUT community.

The virtual graduation ceremony consisted of graduands from both DUT Durban and DUT Midlands campuses. Of the 1549 graduands,

A statement by the university read: “We remain cautious since there are

864 were men, while 685 are women.

expert predictions that the fourth wave of the pandemic could be imminent.

Therefore, we urge all of our graduates to celebrate their success safely and

In total, 1380 graduands obtained their undergraduate qualifications

with the relevant COVID-19 protocols in mind. The University congratulates

while 169 graduated with their post-graduate qualifications. The

all DUT graduates and we are extremely proud of their achievements.”

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment had a total number of

.

734 graduands, the Faculty of Management Sciences had 308, followed by the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics with 241, alongside 150 graduands from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, 83 graduands from the Faculty of Health Sciences and 33 students from the Faculty of Arts and Design. In May this year, 8399 students graduated during the

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NEWS

FASHION AND TEXTILES STUDENTS SHOWCASE THEIR WORK AT GATEWAY’S NICCI BOUTIQUE The Department of Fashion and Textiles students showcased their work at the Nicci Boutique which was being launched at Gateway shopping centre in Umhlanga recently.

Fashion lecturer, Raveena Naidu explained that they were approached by Nicci Boutique’s marketing team about a possible collaboration and after reviewing the details they decided to partake.

“I must include that this was not included within their semester work. Students had to work in their own time. From the nine entries, three finalists were selected,” she said.

The three finalists were individual entries from Lilly Madlala, Phethile Sithole and a group entry consisting of Nokwanda Hlophe, Joanne Moolman, Nondumiso Mdlalose, Charmaine Dlamini and Nothando Mkhize.

One of the finalists, Phethile Sithole said being selected as one of the Nicci boutique winners was such a humbling experience, especially as a young designer.

“For my design, I repurposed Nicci boutique paper bags and designed a tiered garment.

The tiers were first scrunched up to create texture then I added black, white and grey, then I added pink and blue dye, for a pop of colour because it goes with my personality.

As much as I wanted to achieve the goals of the brief, I also wanted to incorporate my own creative flair into the design. My design also has a one shoulder bodice with plaited straps. I accessorised the look with a mask and hat. The competition was extremely competitive and not as smooth as I perceived it would have been. The day before the competition I honestly felt like withdrawing from it as I tackled every task of compiling the design on my own, and obviously with two hands, it gets overly tiring and discouraging sometimes. Fortunately, prayer, determination and a great emotional support structure saw me through to the finish line where I ultimately showcased my work,” she said.

Naidu said that she was very excited that the students were given such an opportunity.

“I am absolutely amazed at the standard of work produced, our three finalists are all first-year students. They had taken on this challenge, worked during their own time and produced exceptional work. If this is the work of first-year students, one can only imagine their final years’ work,” she expressed.

Fashion’s Phethile Sithole with her design

NEWS

Cleopatra Nombika

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Prof Zakes Mda launches his novel, AROLA - A journey into 10 Ancient African Civilisations at DUT

WAHEEDA PETERS

Professor Zakes Mda.

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he Durban University of Technology Writing Centre in partnership with St Francis Productions, DUT International Education and Partnerships and the DUT Library hosted the launch of Professor Zakes Mda’s novel, AROLA - A journey into 10 Ancient African Civilisations on Wednesday, October 29, 2021 via Microsoft Teams.

Prof Mda who has been has been awarded honorary doctorates in literature by the University of Cape Town, Wits University, and the University of the Free State; Central University of Technology and the Durban University of Technology spoke on the context of his book, AROLA – A journey into 10 ancient African Civilisations, as well as on the main character of the book.

Prof Mda highlighted that the book is less theoretical, in other words, he does not deal with any theory at all, he just tells a story.

He further relayed that he had been to various places like Karima in Sudan and discovered quite a few things about the Nubian civilisation, which existed 3000 years ago; and that’s where he started the story from, 3000 years ago.

“I was really interested in those ancient civilisations like the Nubian civilisation

which is also known as the Kingdom of Kush which at the time I’m addressing also ruled Egypt, it had actually colonised Egypt for a few centuries and then the Aksum Kingdom in what is today known as Eritrea and parts of Utopia and so on,” he said.

He also spoke of his interest in historical fiction as opposed to fictionalised history.

“The distinction that I made here is historical fiction is my attempt to teach history in a much more entertaining way. I have fictional characters who interact with history and by history I’m talking of history according to historical records. History as researched by historians and recorded by historians without attempting to sublet it, that is what my historical fiction attempts to do,” he added.

For direct book orders please visit: www.stfrancisproductions.org.

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COVER FEATURE

Dudu Busani-Dube (centre) with The Wife’s leading actors, Mbali Mavimbela and Bonko Khoza.

DUDU BUSANI-DUBE’S HLOMU THE WIFE BOOK SERIES TURNED INTO A SUCCESSFUL SHOWMAX TELENOVELA ANDILE DUBE AND ANDE MSOMI

COVER FEATURE

S

ocial media was abuzz last week Thursday, 11 November 2021 when telenovela, The Wife was finally released on streaming service Showmax.

The much-anticipated production is based on the Hlomu series of novels written by Durban University of Technology (DUT) Journalism alumna, Dudu Busani-Dube.

Since the announcement that the streaming giant had commissioned three seasons of 40 episodes each, inspired by the books: Hlomu the Wife, Zandile the Resolute and Naledi His Love respectively, fans of the books have been anxiously awaiting the screen adaptation.

The books tell the story of eight bug-eyed, tall dark and handsome Zulu brothers from a powerful crime-riddled family, through the eyes of the wives they marry.

“The fact that you have a gift that is different from a lot of people… that you can create things and the understanding of the value of that and what it can do for you. You need to understand what intellectual property is.

Artists and creators, rarely ever consult an intellectual property attorney or ask questions or some of them don’t even know that those exist. So, you need to have that information. The research and the knowledge and protecting what you have created, there are ways to protect what you do,” she said.

Recently, delivering the keynote address at the 2nd annual DUT Faculty of Arts and Design Entrepreneurship Week, Busani-Dube said viewers should not expect the screen adaptation to be exactly like the book, noting that the Showmax series expands on the creativity of the novel.

“Whatever is there is there, we can’t change anything now. It’s very difficult to adapt a book into a film, especially a fictional book where I have the freedom to do whatever I want to do with the characters. I can make them fly in the book and it will be normal for people to imagine that. Then when it moves to film, there are things that you cannot do… there are things that just cannot be done. So, the telenovela is inspired by the Hlomu series,” she said.

Busani-Dube at her 40th birthday celebration last in earlier this year

However, Busani-Dube emphasized even though there will be twists and additions to the story, the telenovela will capture the essence of the story people fell in love with from the books.

The Wife also features some of DUT’s Drama and Productions Studies graduates in leading roles such as Kwenzo Ngcobo who plays the role of Qhawe. DUT Tourism Management Alumna, Mbali Mavimbela plays one of the main roles, Hlomu.

Born and raised in KwaMashu township, north of Durban, Busani-Dube, started self-publishing her books in 2014. She has since written and published four bestselling novels making her a successful black female author praised for telling stories that are relatable to the African audience.

She studied journalism at the then ML Sultan Technikon and has worked as a journalist for various publications in the country. In 2018, she was recognized by the eThekwini municipality among the top 18 young achievers in the province.

During her address, she spoke about the importance of understanding intellectual property for artists and creatives.

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: DUT Tourism Management Alumna, Mbali Mavimbela and Dudu Busani-Dube.

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SPECIAL REPORT

FOAD HOSTS SUCCESSFUL 8TH DIGIFEST AND 7TH ANNUAL POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE ANDE MSOMI, BLESSING XABA AND WAHEEDA PETERS

SPECIAL REPORT

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he exciting 8th edition of the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Arts and Design Digital Festival (DigiFest08) and 7th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference officially began on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 via Microsoft Teams.

Both hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Design (FoAD), the events ran virtually until Thursday 21 October 2021. The festival’s aim was to stimulate collaborative practices (creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship) in art, design, and technology.

Further, the festival’s objectives were to interrogate the transformative vision of the future in arts and design fields and to demonstrate the economic significance of digital skills and technologies.

DigiFest 2021 also featured 48 virtual exhibitions by developing and established artists from DUT, as well as other artists from South Africa, America, the United Kingdom, the Mediterranean and Asia.

During her official welcome and opening address, FoAD’s Executive Dean, Professor Runette Kruger said DigiFest was introduced as a platform where the global academic community can come together and share ideas of innovation, entrepreneurship and where creatives can dream of a glittering future.

She relayed that this year’s event themed: UNMASKED symbolises the participants taking off their masks and using their experiences during the pandemic to unleash creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship to solve problems after the pandemic.

“This event aims to create an atmosphere of unity in all respects, using the unmasked message to break the boundaries created during the pandemic,” she said.

She added that the next coming days would be a transformative experience to first time attenders and would set young minds into the right direction in the world of Arts and Design.

“The Faculty of Arts and Design is using this platform to showcase that DUT is at an industry leading level of content creation and innovation. The future of Arts and Design is in the hands of the participants of DigiFest, and this opportunity will be a great way for those who were alone with their ideas during the pandemic to be free to share the knowledge with all who seek it,” she said.

DUT’s Director of Technology Transfer & Innovation and CEO of Global Health Biotech, Professor Keo Motaung, gave an inspiring keynote address on how to turn a research project into a start-up or spin-off company.

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Drawing from her own academic and entrepreneurial experiences, she illustrated the key differentiating attributes of start-up and spin-off companies by comparing the trajectory towards their establishment Prof Motaung applies the ‘Einstein’ mantra in her approach to business ideation and considers it the best way to refine a tailored service offering for any problem that seeks a well-researched business solution. She also lists having a dream as the single most important feature of anybody who intends to pursue a business venture, identifying a link between passionate interest in a particular field of expertise and its projected success as a commercial product.

On matters related to institutions, Prof Motaung highlighted the importance of being supported by one’s school in the pursuit of turning research into any business by acting as a [synapse] for organic supportive structures to form.

“This starts with celebrating and encouraging higher level students to birth concepts aimed at commerce and not simply publishing. The institution also has the power to facilitate a bridge between budding inventors and patent holders, to the pool of economically empowered entities seeking young thinkers to fund. For the former to thrive, the school also needs to grant innovators more ownership of their ideas and fairer deals in the conversation around IP,” she said.

Prof Motaung’ s parting sentiments to researchers is to consider making a business out of their study, and to spend as much time as they can getting to know their future customer.

This was preceded by a robust panel discussion on the new possibilities of digital festivals due to the pandemic. The panel consisted of Dillion Phiri (Curator of Fak’ugesi Festival), Ismail Mahomed (Director for the Centre for Creative Arts UKZN), Aurelia Albert (Founder and CEO for Innovate Durban), Richard Perez (Founding Director of the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at UCT), Jen Snowball (Professor of Economics at Rhodes University), with DUT moderator Dr René A. Smith, who is no stranger to driving conversations around the promotion of creative endeavours and the advancement of digitally integrated cultural experiences.

Prof Snowball shed light on the surveyed responses by new online audiences, with particular focus on a general dissatisfaction with online versions of existing festivals. Her research shows that audiences who migrated online with their favourite festival experience found it far less immersive, and unable to provide the peripheral pleasures that physical attendance did, like social connection with fellow enthusiasts and the tactile participation it provided. These shortcomings, in her hypothesis, contribute to low sales in the virtual arena, added to existing struggles to monetise creativity. Next on the bill was UKZN’s Mahomed who recounted the experience of salvaging the Time of The Writer Festival, which was scheduled to begin in the week South Africa was shut

Pictured (top L to R): Dillion Phiri (Curator of Fak’ugesi Festival), Ismail Mahomed (Director for the Centre for Creative Arts UKZN), Aurelia Albert (Founder and CEO for Innovate Durban). Pictured (bottom L to R): Richard Perez (Founding Director of the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at the UCT), Jen Snowball (Professor of Economics at Rhodes University) and Dr René A. Smith.

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SPECIAL REPORT down for the first time in response to COVID-19. Mahomed’s virtual migration strategy was aimed at audience retention by using the most accessible platforms available whilst presenting creative events in a format that generates appetite to the wider online consumer market.

Other notable nuggets on the topics of data and design were imparted to guests by Albert and Perez. Albert shared how virtual attendance and participation analytics allowed for more precise tracking of progress and milestones in the context of hosting an online competition earlier this year.

Perez outlined the processes involved with design as an easy four step journey, in which one first explores the problem and makes sense of it before one develops a solution and trials it. He mentioned that this flow can be looped and repeated as a design process is being refined.

Another visual feast on Day One included the first of its kind experience, a multimedia visual creation presented as a 60-degree virtual reality music video that becomes an interactive experience for the viewer, and the viewer becomes the message. The dynamic presenters of the Asikhule Sonke – Grow as One: A transdisciplinary immersion using 360° virtual reality, 360-degree music video were Dr Diana Moodley, Robin Gengan and Niresh Singh (Faculty of Arts and Design, DUT).

The presentation was a breakdown of the music video, which Dr Moodley describes as the unique nature of the video and explains all the efforts it took to create an innovation in science, creativity and technology into a powerfully impactful medium for socio-political awareness.

“This work offers a unique experience that immerses the viewer as the co-creator of the virtually augmented emotional experience, the viewer is the essence of the message,” she said.

This video is available on YouTube and is an interactive experience for the viewer but for those who want to fully immerse in the video for a full VR experience, there is a virtual reality headset available in at DUT City Campus art gallery that gives the full experience of the music video.

DUT’s Professor Keo Motaung.

Day Two had an array of diverse exhibitions, kicking off with the keynote address by Dr René Smith who is the DigiFest Ideator and Creator. Her topic of discussion was on Journeying beyond intersections – The story of an Arts and Design Digital Festival.

Day Three had the DUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Research, Innovation and Engagement Professor Sibusiso Moyo deliver her keynote address on SDG Institutionalisation, Equality and Opportunity: Lateral Thoughts.

Other exciting panel discussion topics that formed part of the festival were on the intersection between journalism and social media in the coverage of the recent civil unrest in KZN, Eye Tracking – From Affect to Concept or get a glimpse of DUT’s first Zoom Theatre.

SPECIAL REPORT

TOP-NOTCH’ VIRTUAL EXHIBITIONS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE AT DUT’S DIGIFEST 8 ANDILE DUBE AND SIMANGELE ZUMA

Senzo Doncabe’s work which was featured on Fine Art and Jewellery’s exhibition, The E-Waste Funeral DUT Edition

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SPECIAL REPORT

Maria Mathole’s artwork which part of the Digifest 8’s virtual exhibition.

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he Eighth Annual Arts and Design Digital Festival (Digifest 8) featured 48 virtual exhibitions by emerging and established artists from around the world.

Creative work produced by DUT students and staff as well as other artists from South Africa, America, the United Kingdom, the Mediterranean and Asia was showcased.

“The students and staff from departments within our Faculty have produced absolutely amazing work for Digifest 8 and you can find them in collections like ‘Utopia/Dystopia.’ Other departments, like Drama, are exhibiting their one-of-a-kind productions. Some of Faculty’s students have also submitted their individual work for exhibition, which can be found in any of the fashion exhibitions, like ‘Kuhle kwembali echuma emhlabeni wezibi.’ We have also had students from other Faculties submit their innovative creations for Digifest 8, like ‘WALKMANN.’ We are truly proud of the quality of work that has come from within our university,” said Jodie Du Plessis, Digifest Manager.

She shared that they are extremely lucky with the participation of other institutions and individual artists from across South Africa, referring to exhibitions like ‘Images in the Corona rear-view mirror’ and ‘The Roots.’

This year’s festival was themed ‘UNMASKED’ and the exhibitions were selected according to their relevance with the theme, which reflects the notion of ‘unleashing.’

There were two categories of submissions for Digifest 8. Category 1 (Reflections) included submissions of creative works developed during the initial COVID-19 spread. Category 2 (Future imaginings) included submission of creative work that looks beyond the pandemic. In addition to creativity, the use of technology, evidence of innovation, and the potential for entrepreneurship were also important selection factors.

Furthermore, Du Plessis highlighted that they selected submissions that fitted into one or both categories of ‘UNMASKED’ and incorporated a fine blend of creativity, technology, innovation, and/or entrepreneurship.

According to Du Plessis, the level and quality of works on displayed at Digifest 8 is ‘top-notch’ and was a feast for the eye for art and technology

SPECIAL REPORT

DUT Fine Art’s Mlungisi Magwaza’s ‘chicken robot’.

lovers.

“From our entry-level students to industry professionals around the globe, everyone has put forward their absolute best work for this event. We are so proud to show it off! The broad range of ideas, inspirations, and interpretations, as well as the variety in mediums, techniques, and experimentation is truly impressive! The pandemic has thrown a major curveball; however, these artists have use it to produce really amazing work,” she said.

Sebolayi Khanyi’s work showcased under the fashion department’s ‘Kraft’ed’ exhibition.

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OUR ALUMNI

UZALO AND RED TAPE DIRECTOR, LUTHANDO MNGOMEZULU INSPIRES A NEW GENERATION OF TELEVISION AND FILM CREATIVES ANDE MSOMI

Uzalo and Red Tape director, Luthando Mngomezulu.

OUR ALUMNI

Luthando Mngomezulu on the set of Uzalo.

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20 “I love what I do. I find purpose in my craft. I know that I would not be able to do anything but what I am doing.”

These are the words of Durban University of Technology (DUT) Drama and Production Studies alumnus, Luthando Mngomezulu who is making his mark as a film and television director.

Mngomezulu is the future of the South African film industry and through his work and achievements he inspires other young and upcoming creatives who follow in his footsteps.

Dedication and passion are what drives the 29-year-old director extraordinaire who has worked on multiple television productions over the years thus making him one of the youngest and skilled directors in the industry.

After graduating with a Diploma in Drama and Production Studies from DUT, Mngomezulu has since acquired more qualifications in his field. A Bachelor of Technology Degree in Drama from the Tshwane University of Technology, an honours degree in Drama and Performing Arts from The University of Cape Town, and another honours degree in film from University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). He is currently doing his first year for his Master’s degree in Arts, Film and Television at Wits.

Mngomezulu credits his academic achievements for his flourishing career: “This proved very beneficial as I had the skills and confidence in my craft, which led me to win competitions, awards and have successful seasons at the iconic Market Theatre which ultimately led me into training as a film director on Uzalo.”

Since starting off as a junior director on SABC1’s Uzalo, he has gone on to direct some of the telenovela’s most talked about storylines like the recent gender-based violence storyline featuring the show’s Nosipho and Njeza.

“I just directed a GBV storyline on Uzalo where Njeza beats up Nosipho in front of onlookers who much rather take videos than intervene. This was a few weeks ago, but still today people text me or come on my DM and tell me just how real that was for them and how reflective they are either due to their own circumstances or they know someone personally who’s going through or has been through something similar. I live for those moments, that right there is proof that I’m only a vessel sent to tell stories. They’re are not of me, but are told through me, said Mngomezulu.

His success on Uzalo hasn’t stopped him from pursuing other projects. He is currently working as a director on Etv’s telenovela, Durban Gen and has just recently worked on a film, Red Tape which aired on BET Africa not so long ago.

“Red Tape was exactly that. Inspired by wanting to tell our own stories and also the need to contribute as men in such a tough subjects as GBV. Without defending the atrocities some men commit in societies ours, (Omphile Molusi and Sipho Zakwe and myself) was to try in all honesty to show a male perspective of how we can ruin ourselves and our children by being so engulfed in pride and wanting to be the personal best that we forget to think about just how much damage that can cause someone else,” he said.

The sky is the limit for the passionate Mngomezulu who is still determined to making a significant contribution in the highly competitive film and television industry. He is currently working on two film projects and believes that now is the time for a new generation of creatives to enter the industry.

“A few years ago, the majority of directors were white and old. Now there is young blood like myself in the scene and we are coming for it all. Age, race, gender shouldn’t stop you these days, yes it may be harder for some of us coz of certain issues but they can set those barricades, ours is not to allow those barricades to stop us.”

His advice to those who want to follow in his footsteps is, students should always be ready for new challenges and learning new things.

“I can only advise with my own experiences, but at the same time our paths and roads to success will differ. Studying research and training have been paramount in my journey but may not be to the next person. The similarities though will always be constant practice, and sharpening your arsenal.

I read somewhere that Denzel Washington till this day still goes to an acting coach. In a nutshell; “stay ready so you will not have to get ready,” he concluded.

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