Vol9 no2 2017
heita!
STAY IN THE PICTURE
please send your name and cell number to heita@tut.ac.za on or before 14 April 2017. Mark the subject field: CANVAS
To win this
CANVAS BAG,
OPEN
Visual Communication (Photography) student, EDINAH NDLOVU, shows her skill behind the lens with this striking image.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: ZINHLE MOTLOPYE (21) is a third-year Journalism student who joined the Directorate: Corporate Affairs and Marketing as a student intern in February. As a rookie journo, she is used to asking the questions, but for this edition we thought of giving her some of her own medicine. WHO IS YOUR ULTIMATE INTERVIEWEE? Oprah Winfrey. WHY? Oprah epitomises most, if not all, things I want to achieve in my lifetime – self-empowerment, growth and the urge to make a positive difference. Given the fact that she has a journalistic background, I think I am walking down the right path. WHAT WOULD YOU ASK HER? Oprah, being arguably the world’s most powerful and influential woman, what is your recipe for success and what methods do you follow to stay committed to your goals?
WHIZ KID
She never felt out of place there and flourished from day one, both socially and academically.
Last year, she was one of the Hulwazi Secondary School’s top ten learners with above average marks, scoring in the high seventies for most of her subjects. “I never received any special treatment from my teachers. I worked really hard, listened carefully, and attended extra classes, even on Saturdays and Sundays,” says Nothando.
She is currently enrolled for a National Diploma: Information Technology (IT) and chose TUT because of the practical approach to courses.
She indicates that the late Steve
Jobs, co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple
Inc. is her role model. No wonder
she dreams of also starting her
own company one day,
developing an App that is
used the world over.
She says she was a bit scared and overwhelmed during the first few weeks at University, but has already settled in nicely and has made new friends. Luckily, her elder sister, Confidence Thali Ngobeni, studied Education at the Soshanguve North Campus and could prepare her for campus life. Her brother, Sydwell, a
draughtsman, also played a
huge role in motivating and mentoring her, reminding her
to stay humble.
“I am used to people asking about my age and being called small, but I am comfortable interacting with all age groups and able to adjust accordingly.”
In her spare time, she likes reading novels, writing poems and admits to having at least one guilty pleasure, kota (bunny chow).
“Age is just a number. You just need to do what you need to do,” she concludes.
Nothando Ngobeni is one of almost 15 000 first-year students who have enrolled at the University this year. However, there is one fact, or rather figure that sets this well-spoken whiz kid apart from the rest of the 2017 intake. She is only 16 years old!
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
for 16-year-old whiz kid
NICKNAME: Thando and Magdalena (I just like the name). GUILTY
PLEASURE/S: Kota (bunny chow). WHICH ANIMALS SCARE YOU MOST? I am not scared of animals at all. At some stage I wanted to study Zoology. ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO AVOID CONFLICT OR ENGAGE IT HEAD-ON? I avoid it; I do not like it. WHAT WAS THE MOST RECENT COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE RECEIVED? Congrats for going to varsity. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU HOPE WILL CHANGE, BUT PROBABLY NEVER WILL? Laziness. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU REALLY PUSHED YOURSELF TO YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITS? When a friend and I rushed home when I was in trouble with my mom. DO YOU HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF ACQUAINTANCES OR JUST A FEW VERY CLOSE FRIENDS? A few good friends. YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE COUNTRY, TOWN OR CITY? China, although I have never been there. Their technology is awesome.
The small-framed girl and the youngest of four siblings, who hails from Daveyton in the East Rand, says it is by chance that she went to primary school aged four. Her mom, Duduzile, the strict and supportive matriarch of the family, initially took her to a crèche; but after only a month, Nothando was already able to write her name and surname and was subsequently sent to the “big school.”
Nothando Ngobeni (16) is one of the
youngest students enrolled at TUT this year.
I worked really hard, listened carefully,
and attended extra classes.
BUHLE MAGALE (21)
Legal Assistance
“The process was pretty simple. The only problem I experienced was that the online system was slow. I think we need a faster and more efficient registration system to help improve the long queues.”
CHLOE LOUBSER (20)
Equine Science
“Arriving later in the day helped me because the queues were shorter. It was generally good but we weren’t informed about everything. The University could do better by informing us in time.”
DANIËLLE SWANEPOEL (20)
Equine Science
“I waited for about six hours to register because of the DHET Grant application form. I really think TUT should categorise students into different groups to make the registration process easier.”
FINE BUKASA (21)
Industrial Engineering
“It was much better than last year. There weren’t so many people in the queues.”
JOHN PETER VAN NIEKERK (21)
Building Sciences
“There were a couple of issues with blocked subjects because of the DHET Grant application forms I had to fill out. Besides that, registration was alright, although I do feel there need to be better feedback systems in place.”
NALEDI KGOPA (17)
BEd: (FET)
“Hectic, is one way to describe it. It took about three days before I could be officially registered. I would like the University to get more assistants to help with administration as it is extremely confusing and overwhelming, especially for first-year students.”
PROSPERITY BALOYI (19)
Road Traffic and Municipal Policing
“It was not so bad. I only had a problem with the slow internet connection. That is something that the University can work on.”
SHABANA PARTON (20)
Human Resources Management
“It was terrible. The queues were extreme. I had to jump across departments for help. I was really frustrated. I feel students should be informed about venues and all the processes. The registration period was disorganised. If everyone knows what’s going on, then the whole thing would be easier.”
TO VIEW ANSWERS, CLICK ON
ANY OF THE IMAGES.
ON A ROLL
Tshepo Movundlela (25), a third-year Film student, has accomplished what no other student in the 45-year-old history of the TUT Film programme has been able to do. The young filmmaker has produced feature films in his first and second years, sold both to M-Net and is currently working on his third and fourth.
In 2015, the TV channel purchased his first feature film called Ubizo (featuring well-known actor and choreographer David Matamela), which deals with a man who is called to the ministry as a pastor. The film is currently screened on M-Net.
Last year, he submitted another movie called Ultimate Sacrifice, which M-Net also gave the green light. The film, which will be screened from March, revolves around a young lady who takes the blame for her gangster sister when the latter is implicated in a murder.
Currently, he is working on three projects – two films called Lehumo and Broken, and piloting a TV series called Extension 3, for eTV.
The world of filmmaking is far removed from Mokopane in the Limpopo Province where he grew up. “Watching and discussing films were not the order of the day; let alone pursuing it as a career,” says Tshepo.
Star TUT filmmaker, Tshepo Movundlela.
He started writing short stories at school where his teachers saw his knack for storytelling and encouraged him to study further.
However, it was an uphill battle to get accepted at university, but he persevered. He was rejected twice when he applied at TUT in 2013 and 2014. He used the time to equip himself with more knowledge about filmmaking.
In 2015, he was accepted. He has since emerged as one of the Film School’s star students. He scooped the award for Best Documentary Video at the School’s annual awards ceremony in 2015. Last year, one of his short films was selected to represent TUT at the CILECT (The International Association of Film and Television Schools) Student Drama Awards in Europe. He is also a student member of the South African Guild of Editors.
“As a filmmaker I can express my artistic voice.
I use the medium to especially communicate
issues that affect the youth,” he says.
He is full of praise for the training he receives at TUT and says that it has opened a lot of doors for him and made him think “out of the box.”
Asked where he sees himself in five years, he replies: “Very far!” Next year, he plans to
enrol for his master’s degree, followed
by a doctorate.
Watch this space and the movie
credit rolls for the name
Tshepo Movundlela!
Young filmmaker makes
Film School history
Tshepo owns a filmmaking company called Wormwood Pictures. Go to www.wormwoodpictures.co.za
to view some of his work.
LEBO LETSHEKGA (18), A FIRST-YEAR OFFICE MANAGEMENT STUDENT, TELLS HEITA! HOW SHE HAS EXPERIENCED HER FIRST WEEKS AT UNIVERSITY.
“Entering an institution of higher learning is very difficult. Trying to adapt to the new environment is something else. My first week at TUT was very hectic because I faced many different challenges.
The first challenge was waiting in long queues for registration, and for residence application. The second challenge was to make new friends, and the third that I had to learn to be self-disciplined and responsible.
I suggest that TUT improves its online systems, for both residence and academic applications, as well as registration. If the systems can be working 100%, the long queues will disappear and the response rate for applications will be efficient. Students will be able to be in class and queue less.”
x
Lebo Letshekga
I AM Zoey Hoosen (24). I’M ORIGINALLY FROM New Castle in KwaZulu-Natal but currently
stays in Pretoria. I’M STUDYING Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics. WHAT’S THAT, YOU
MIGHT WANT TO KNOW. WELL, LET ME BRING YOU INTO THE PICTURE:
Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics is the designing, manufacturing and fitting of artificial limbs
(prosthetics) and surgical appliances such as braces and splints (orthotics). An Orthotist Prosthetist
works closely with a multi-disciplinary team (surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, etc.)
to assist in the specified treatment plan and rehabilitation of the patient. I’VE DECIDED TO
STUDY IN THIS FIELD BECAUSE I have a passion for working with and helping people. This
career allows me to be hands on with manufacturing while stimulating my mind, as each patient is
differently diagnosed, requiring unique treatment plans. AFTER COMPLETION OF MY
STUDIES, I WOULD LIKE TO further my knowledge in the field by continuous research,
specifically regarding paediatrics. I would also be forming a non-profit organisation, raising funds to
provide prosthetics for the underprivileged. I believe knowledge is power and this course empowers
me to provide an easier lifestyle for a multitude of patients.
Our first guest for this year is Zikhona (Ziki) Miso (30). She studied Journalism at TUT and presents the weekly programme Africa Midday on SABC's Channel Africa.
Jackey Masekela
Zikhona (Ziki) Miso
WHERE DID YOUR LOVE FOR JOURNALISM START? I developed a keen interest in writing from a tender age and have always enjoyed telling and listening to stories. As an extreme extrovert, I knew that I wanted to do something which would offer different challenges every day, yet also afford me an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Journalism was the perfect channel for me to explore all those various areas of interest.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY AT TUT AS YOU GREW UP IN THE EASTERN CAPE? I was in Grahamstown for most of my schooling years and after matric, I knew that I needed to get out of the Eastern Cape, just for a different life experience in a different place. My curiosity led me to Gauteng and after thorough research, I discovered that
TUT had one of the best Journalism departments in the country. I applied, underwent a gruelling selection process and got in! The rest, as they say, is history.
YOU HAVE A GREAT PASSION FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS. WOULD THIS HAVE BEEN THE ROUTE YOU HAVE FOLLOWED HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR JOURNALISM? Definitely! Music was always and remains my first choice. However, I do know that being a journalist is not merely a matter of passion and interest, but purpose in my life. I consider myself incredibly lucky because I have musicians and artists in my close circle of friends, so I am able to explore my artistic and creative side in a number of ways.
WHAT ADVISE WOULD YOU GIVE OUR FIRST-YEARS?
Don’t lose sight of the end goal. Dedicate yourself to your work. Go the extra mile. Hard work really pays off!
Have fun, but in moderation.
Get involved in campus life; join a society; work at the campus radio station; write for internal publications; and use everything at your disposal to advance yourself.
Don’t skip class!
Don’t compromise yourself or your principles in all you do.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR ZIKHONA MISO? I wish I knew. God willing, growth in all aspects of my life.
SPEAK UP
heita!
STAY IN THE PICTURE
Heita! is an electronic student newsletter of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
It is edited and published by the Directorate of Corporate Affairs and Marketing.
EDITOR
Gerrit Bester
TEL 012 382 4306
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This publication may contain third party advertisements and links to third party sites. The Tshwane University of Technology does not make any representation as to the accuracy or suitability of any of the information contained in these advertisements or sites and does not accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of those advertisements and sites and the offerings made by the third parties.
BACKBONE
win R300
It’s easy! All you have to do is answer the following
question (don’t fret, you should get the answer somewhere
in this edition): NAME THE 16-YEAR OLD STUDENT
STUDYING AT THE SOSHANGUVE CAMPUS?
Please send your answer, name and contact number to heita@tut.ac.za on or before 14 April 2017. Mark the subject field: COMPETITION. The winner will be announced in the next edition. Only registered TUT students can enter.
Good luck!
TSHEPISO MALANG (22), a Chemical Engineering student at the Pretoria Campus, is the winner of the competition featured in Heita! Vol9 no1 2017.
CONGRATULATIONS!
SPEND THE R300 WISELY.
The winner of the TUT SPORTS BAG is TUMELO MOTLHABI (23), an Economics student at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus.
All work and no play make Jack (and Jill) a dull boy (and girl).
