CPUT BTech Surface Design student was recognised as one of South Africa’s promising up-and-coming designers when she was awarded the first runner up prize for her throw design at the second annual House and Leisure Green Designers at Woolworths Competition.

House and Leisure magazine and Woolworths joined forces to sponsor this competition, which highlights ecofriendly design techniques across a variety of products.

For a seven-month period, House and Leisure featured the creations of students from various tertiary design institutions and the final products were displayed at their stand at the Design Indaba Expo that was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 26 to 28 February 2010.

On 25 February 2010, the winners were announced from a group of 10 finalists and Nandi’s was the only design selected from the throw category.

Students from seven different design schools were given the task of taking green prototypes from conceptualisation to creation and also to source appropriate manufacturers to help them create their products.

Nandi, who hails from the Eastern Cape town of Cofimvaba heard about the competition last year from her lecturer, Elna Lubbe, who used the competition as a third year class assignment.

The CPUT students were mentored by Melissa Kerkhoff, owner of Lula Fabrics.

Seeing this rare opportunity, Nandi said she decided to apply her mind and focus on her love of textiles in this project, which took several months to complete.

When asked what inspired her original handmade design, she said: “I took my cultural roots into consideration and researched the design techniques of the Xhosa people”.

Using the smocking sewing technique, she interpreted geometric diamond shape, typically found in Xhosa clothing and jewellery to create her throw made from an undyed cotton blend fabric.

The colours of the threads used in the throw also have a symbolic meaning of growth (green), wealth (red) and maturity (yellow) in the Xhosa tradition.

Nandi shared that she is passionate about recycling and using natural products.

“I am very conscious of the effect that manufacturing has on the environment, so I want to focus on creating functional designs that are reusable,” said Nandi.

Along with the other top three winners, Nandi walked away with an Apple MacBook computer, a R1000 Woolworths gift voucher and will have her throw manufactured and sold at selected Woolworths stores throughout the country.

Currently, Nandi is participating in a three-month internship programme at Woolworths Homeware Department, where she is mentored on several design projects by Paul Duncan (head of homeware) and Lynne Harris.

She completes the programme in April and is also working on manufacturing her product through a community-based organisation, Learn to Earn in Khayelitsha, which teaches skills that unemployed people can use to create a small business.

Her BTech thesis research topic will focus on designing homeware products inspired by Cubism from recycled wood.

By Thando J. Moiloa

Photograph (left) An elated achiever, Nolwazi Nandi, BTech Surface Design student at CPUT (right) The prize-winning throw design, inspired by the indigenous Xhosa design style

Written by CPUT News
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Jarryd Newman and Anton Pope, two talented Graphic Design students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (VPUT) will be flown to Pretoria in August by the South African Bank Note Society (SABNS) to present their bank note designs to the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Tito Mboweni.

This presentation will be the culmination of a national competition initiated by the South African Bank Note Society. Five finalists, three of whom will fly to Pretoria, were announced at the public viewing of the designs, coinciding with a collector’s fair that took place in the Old Mutual hall at Kirstenbosch Gardens during March.

In a briefing session in early 2007 conducted by Dr Heinz Wirz, President of the South African Bank Note Society, students were asked to design a series of five bank notes that would symbolically act as a passport for South Africa. Students were also required to design two banknotes that would be functional across the thirteen SADC countries as well as a commemorative 2010 South African bank note.

The challenge for the students was to create designs that were well researched, incorporating all the technical and security elements, while being aesthetically appealing, classic, functional and politically correct. The banknote designs, according to the objectives of the competition, should be of a calibre that would afford them the opportunity to be used as a reference when official notes are designed, if required.

Mr Lionel Franciscus, a final year Graphic Design lecturer said, “There was a good standard of work although some were better than others. It’s amazing how intricate the process is of designing money, with all the security features and technical specifications.”

Jarryd described the theme of his designs as the symbolic meaning behind the elements of the coat of arms. He said, “The meaning of each element has been translated into a South African landscape, its features and landmarks.”

Anton chose as his motifs, the main freedom fighters and Nobel Peace prize winners of our country including Nelson Mandela, FW De Klerk, Desmond Tutu, Joe Slovo, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Albert Luthuli.

The competition according to Dr Wirz aims to pre-empt research required to take action in designing new bank notes for South Africa. He also says, “Through this competition, the South African Bank Note Society hopes to raise awareness among Graphic Design students about the many facets involved in creating banknotes, as well as teaching the students about becoming good ambassadors for their designs.

*The South African Bank Note Society is involved in teaching and promotion of the hobby of collecting bank notes and the fostering of the study thereof.

Written by CPUT News

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Intonga, a heartwarming film about boxing and courage, which was co-produced by the CPUT Film Department and Swayani Films, is set to make its debut on the big screen in May.

The distribution rights of the film, which was shot on a shoestring budget, were recently bought by Nu Metro. The film will be included in the Nu Metro “Inspire” film festival, along with several other local films.

The Inspire campaign, which will be launched in mid-May, aims to take inspirational movies to the South African public.

Head of the CPUT Film Department, Jared Borkum said the film, which was shot in Fort Beaufort and Mdantsane, portrays a positive message.

“In terms of a South African Film, it is very positive. The message of the film is that if you work hard you can achieve your goals,” he said.

Borkum said many locally produced films glorify crime and gangsterism.

“This film has none of this,” he said.

The film is also the first full length isiXhosa feature film to be shot in South Africa with English subtitles. It is also the first time in South Africa that a full length feature film co-produced by a teaching institution is being distributed country-wide.

The film, which was written and directed by JJ van Rensburg, a part-time Film lecturer at CPUT, tells the story of Siviwe, a young stick fighter from Fort Beaufort, who moves with his mother to Mdantsane.

Siviwe is bullied at school, by Knuckles, a local boxing champion.

One day while running away from the bully, Siviwe meets a priest, who offers him shelter from Knuckles. A friendship develops between Siviwe and the priest, who is a former boxer. The priest guides the young stick fighter on his challenging journey into the boxing world.

Apart from six industry professionals who were involved in the production of the film, the crew consisted of CPUT students.

“The hard work and passion of the crew during the 11 days of shooting was amazing. The CPUT students were determined to get the film done,” he said.

Borkum said they had to brave cold conditions in the Eastern Cape and worked long hours.

“What is amazing about this film is that we shot it over 11 days,” he said.

Borkum said the film received funding from CPUT, which allowed them to add an original soundtrack and maintain the High Definition picture quality.

“Cedric Sampson, a professional musician wrote the music. It is an amazing soundtrack,” he said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, said CPUT supported the filming of Intonga.

He said the institution aims to provide students with opportunities to integrate the theoretical component of their course with practical experience in the workplace.

“For students in the Film Department what better way to achieve this than to be involved with the production of a full length feature film,” he said.

Prof Staak said the fact that Intonga has been bought by Nu Metro is “a bonus” and a wonderful achievement for staff and students.

The film is set to be released nationally at Nu Metro cinemas in May 2009.

By Candes Keating

Photos: (top, clockwise) The lead actor and the actor playing the priest rehearse a scene; A film student and one of the extra crew members display the film's clapper board; Craig February, a third year Film student in 2008, was an assistant cameraman on Intonga.

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The Visual Impact Academy Boot Camp held its first training course on 23 April 2009. The boot camp is a joint initiative between CPUT. the Cape Film Commission (CFC) and Africa Soccer Media.

Students arrived bright and early on a chilly Thursday morning with much excitement and anticipation. Among these students was the first batch of previously disadvantaged individuals sponsored by the CFC, who arrived along with the others with the aim of being trained to work as broadcast assistants for 2010.

The four-day course covered a range of theoretical topics including an overview of pre-production, production and post-production; set etiquette; communication skills; terminology; and interpersonal communication. Following this the students engaged in practical training in ENG (electronic news gathering) and SNG (satellite news gathering) assisting, such as gear checks; camera and tripod set-up, camera set-up; three-point lighting; audio set-up; and cable management.

Students were taught about satellite links and were taken on a field trip to Dimension TV where an expert put theory into practice with SNG. They were also taught GPS navigation and were given the opportunity to navigate around the streets in Gardens with a GPS. One student said “I liked the practical because it is rare to have an opportunity to handle such expensive equipment”, and another said “The lecturers are energetic and passionate about what they are teaching”.

On the final day of the course the students were evaluated in the form of a theoretical and a practical test. Assessors from industry and educational institutions formed part of the rigorous practical assessment process. The students were asked to perform tasks that a typical ENG and SNG assistant performs. Those who amid the grade will be sized with a certificate detailing what they were able to do practically.

Another great incentive is that everyone who passes the course will get a chance to register on the Africa Soccer Media portal, as well as VI Academy and CFC websites, which will put them in contact with international and local broadcasters for 2010. The top 32 students are also in line to get a chance at working with major international broadcasters.

All in all the first boot camp course was a great success. One student commented: “I liked the way the lecturer made the class participate – they were very professional”, while another said that “the lecturers know what they are talking about and are well experienced, and that the course was well planned and structured – well worth it”.

The VI Academy is looking forward to its next course which starts on 7 May.

by Ashleigh Martyn, Visual Impact Academy

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A third year student’s passion for photography recently helped her clinch a top prize at the Sanlam Private Investments Innovation Awards.

Photography student Robyn Rickers is one of 10 tertiary students who recently walked away with R10 000 in prize money.

The awards, which were launched this year to mark the 10th anniversary of Sanlam Private Investments, celebrate students who in their field produce unique ideas and concepts which are practical and add value.

The awards, which took place on 30 October 2009, were exclusive and only institutions that were identified as being among the top in their respective fields, were invited to participate.

The Photography Department at CPUT and all its third year students were invited to showcase their skills and participate in the awards. Several other tertiary institutions were invited to participate in the catergories of fashion design, wine-making, interior design, architecture, culinary arts, jewellery design, music and fine art.

The CPUT students were tasked with creating an entry that displayed one or a combination of the criteria, which included creativity, beauty, luxury and quality.

Rickers, who hails from Wellington, produced an emotive portrait that featured a man and woman embracing. She said although well dressed, their faces tell a story of individuals who have struggled with poverty and other hardships.

Rickers, who comes from a family of photographers, said she was inspired by the conditions in her community to capture the image.

Although she hopes the photograph will raise awareness of what is happening in communities, Rickers said: “Everyone creates their own story when they see a picture.”

One of the judges, celebrity photographer Gerda Genis, who was moved by the photograph, said Rickers is a “great photographer.”

Genis described the photograph as “visually captivating and communicating instant and alarming honesty.”

She said the photograph highlights the social issues of those less fortunate and offers insight into the couple’s platonic love and their lost aspirations.

By Candes Keating

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The state of TV journalism was the focus of a thought-provoking webinar recently presented by the Media Department.

The panellists were eTV journalist Natalie Malgas, acting cameraman for the SABC’s George bureau, Sphiwe Hobasi and multi award-winning investigative journalist, documentary producer, visual art critic, writer on contemporary culture and author, Hazel Friedman.

Journalism lecturer Sisanda Nkoala said the webinar formed part of a series that will deal with different sectors of media including film, photography and communication and media broadly. “Journalism is the most topical at the moment, hence it was a starting point. The changes that are happening locally in terms of how newsrooms function and how news is understood, make exploring journalism particularly relevant,” she said.

Prof Nirvana Bechan, Head of the Media Department, said it is important to track where the professions currently are and to keep interest going in students apart from their academic studies during the unprecedented times of Covid-19.

Bechan said the next webinar, scheduled for next month, would focus on the future of motion picture and cinemas in particular.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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