please send your name and cell number to heita@tut.ac.za on or before 15 October 2018. Mark the subject field: LAPTOP
To win this
LAPTOP BAG,
Reatile Moalusi (35),
alumnus of the Department of Visual Communication (Photography), captured this edition’s cover image as part of a project for international fashion and lifestyle magazine, Vogue. Heita! scooped an interview, featured on Page 4.
ON TOP
Fashion alumnus featured on Forbes list
A total of 14 South Africans recently made it onto Forbes’ Africa list … and they are not even 30 yet. Orapeleng Modutle (29), an alumnus of the Department of Fashion Design and Technology, is one of them.
Man of the moment, Orapeleng Modutle (29).
An article about another one of the Department’s foremost alumni and part-time lecturer, Khothatso Tsotetsi, is also featured in the magazine. Khothatso, who is referred to as a millennial fashion designer, has made a name for himself by dressing supermodels for the fashion runways of the world, among others, AleK Wek.
Forbes chose 90 promising change-makers for this year’s list. For their fourth edition, they expanded their search to name 30 game-changers – all under the age of 30, in each of the three sectors, namely business, technology and creative – who “are challenging conventions and rewriting the rules for the next generation of entrepreneurs, creatives and tech gurus.”
Orapeleng, who is featured on the list representing the creative sector, is a fashion designer and founder of Orapeleng Modutle Style Avenue. Based in Brooklyn, Pretoria, Orapeleng Modutle Style Avenue has gradually grown into a budding fashion empire.
He has dressed such names as Bonang Matheba, Thando Thabethe, Minnie Dlamini,
Pearl Modiadie and Toke Makinwa.
“I am overwhelmed for being recognised amongst other young professionals
who have achieved such great success. I’m extremely honoured to receive
this accolade,” Orapeleng says.
His top five tips to make a success in business:
1 Discipline
2 Determination
3 Strong work ethic
4 Integrity
5 A clear sense of direction
ON POINT
CAN YOU JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER? No! But through an ARC intervention and dress code, individuals are able to present themselves in a way that will leave a lasting impression.
DOES LOOKING GOOD NECESSARILY EQUAL SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY? No! It’s all about how you wear your clothes and your individual style. I don’t spend a lot on clothes; only on shoes.
WHAT IS THE BEST FASHION ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO BOTH MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS? Never wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable and don’t try to please other people with your dress code. Students should dress properly, decently and responsibly. Remember, you are a student! Always try to wear clothes that have neutral colours.
WHAT WOULD YOU NEVER WEAR? Sweatpants in public!
AS A MENTOR, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS DURING THE EXAM SEASON? Preparation is very important, which includes attending tutorial classes, meeting up with mentors, consulting lecturers, prioritising your study time, and actually doing the studying.
WHERE CAN STUDENTS CONTACT YOU? Email: afrikanroyalclan@gmail.com Facebook: Afrikan Royal Clan Instagram: Afrikanroyalclan and WhatsApp: 074 9928 239.
Meet Mr Style
WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DOES YOUR LOVE FOR FASHION COME FROM? I was born and bred in Polokwane, but now stay in Pretoria. My love for fashion was inspired by my mother who has always been a smart dresser and also my own creative mind and interest in making people feel and look good.
WHAT DOES AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE OFFICE ASSISTANT DO? We inspire and motivate students through various academic interventions, one-on-one consultations, and conduct motivational workshops. The primary objective of our office is to ensure that students receive the necessary support they need for academic progress and success.
YOU’RE ALSO A FREELANCE FASHION STYLIST AND FASHION CONSULTANT, WITH YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AFRIKAN ROYAL CLAN (ARC). ARC is a proudly South African brand that specialises in the creation of distinctive styles and aspires to transform people’s perceived views of themselves. The brand is passionate in editorial styling, commercial styling, wardrobe/costume design and image consultation. We have styled and dressed many graduates from TUT since 2015 and people attending the famous Durban July event every year for the past five years.
As an Academic Excellence Office Assistant at the Faculty of Management Sciences, Mo Petason (31) daily assists students to make a success of their studies. He is also known for his impeccable fashion sense for which Heita! scores him an A+.
Mo Petason (31) is your go-to person for study and style tips.
IN FOCUS
TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT. It aims to share an intimate account of the experiences of people living with Vitiligo, create an increased awareness of the condition and clarify misconceptions, by focusing on beauty, identity, self-acceptance and dispelling societal myths. Furthermore, the project seeks to create positive and attractive imagery of persons living with Vitiligo. The works seek to inspire a renewed dialogue about beauty, just as campaigns featuring people living with albinism.
IT IS QUITE PRESTIGIOUS TO HAVE YOUR WORK FEATURED IN VOGUE. HOW DID IT ALL HAPPEN? The opportunity came about when I met the Senior Photo Editor of Vogue Italia in New York. It has opened doors for me worldwide to further my project.
WHAT ARE YOUR IMMEDIATE PLANS? To return to New York for an exhibition in Manhattan. I am also finding new avenues of income.
HOW DID THE PROJECT IMPACT YOU PERSONALLY? It assisted me in growing as an artist, specifically as a documentary photographer.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF YOUR TIME ON THE ARTS CAMPUS? Shooting in the studio during weekends. It was there where I could work and grow as an artist.
Alumnus goes places with
THOUGHT-
PROVOKING
PHOTOGRAPHY
Reatile Moalusi (35), alumnus of the Department of Visual Communication (Photography), recently had the singular honour to have his images published in leading international fashion and lifestyle magazine, Vogue. He told Heita! about the project, called Pigment, that included a collection of portraits that convey a sense of character through capturing the embodied contrasts of Vitiligo, a condition that causes depigmentation on sections of the skin.
TOP: Reatile Moalusi (35)
(Photo by Kgomotso Neto Tleane)
TOP RIGHT: One of the images by Reatile Moalusi that were published in Vogue.
OPINION
THIS IS WHAT I EXPECT OF THE SRC
Heita! went on a walkabout to find out what you expect of the Student Representative Council.
ASHER DE
JAGER (22)
Architecture
“Stop the strikes and focus on studying. Facilities at the gym also need upgrading.”
ERNEST
LEDWABA (22)
Animal Production
“I expect a new student political party to lead us, because the previous one has failed us.”
THEMBEKA
NHLEKO (19)
Environmental Health
“We need people who will lead us and listen to our grievances.”
HEINO
VILJOEN (20)
Architecture
“The SRC should stand for positive change. Better facilities in classes would also be great.”
KWENA
SEBATJANE (21)
Crop Sciences
“There has been too much corruption in the institution. Many students are left with no residences. Although there is money provided for that, we don’t know where it ends up. We need answers and expect the new leadership to work on that.”
THOKOZANI
NKOSI (24)
Marketing
“We need them to be transparent and ensure a conducive study environment. There is too much racism on campus and we need the newly elected SRC to deal with that.”
THABO
MAPHALLA (21)
Management
“As a visually impaired student, I would like the SRC to assist me to find accommodation in a TUT residence.”
TAUTONE
MAFRIKA (31)
Business Administration
“We expect more from the political party that is going to lead the students. We need them to assist unemployed graduates to find jobs and internships.”
IPFI MBONENI (25)
Project Management
“There needs to be a change in leadership style. We need selfless people, who are not only going to think about themselves, but the whole University and our problems as students.”
TRADITION
How I celebrate
In view of Heritage Day (celebrated on 24 September) we ask Audrey Matjie (22), a third-year Journalism student, and Mandla Sifundza (27), a B Tech Sport Management graduate, how they celebrate their culture, beliefs and traditions.
my heritage
Mandla Sifundza (27)
Audrey Matjie (22)
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR HERITAGE (CULTURE, BELIEFS, TRADITIONS, ETC.)
(A) Pedi was previously used to describe the entire set of people living in Limpopo and speaking various dialects of the Sotho language. More recently, the term Northern Sotho has replaced Pedi to characterise this group of people. The Pedi people are true believers of ancestors. They believe that their ancestors are always watching over them wherever they go. The height of Pedi musical expression is said to be the ‘kiba’ genre, which has surpassed its rural roots and has become a migrant style.
"The Pedi people are true believers of ancestors. According to us, it’s only a human’s body that dies, but the soul lives eternally."
(M) My culture (Swati) is unique. We take pride in our colourful attire, which is handmade and referred to as umgaco, licebesha, majobo and lihiya, among others. We especially wear it during traditional ceremonies. We have our own set of beliefs that have been consistently kept as a way of life, e.g. calling on ancestors to lead us, protect us and even feed us by bringing us rain to irrigate our gardens when there’s no rain. We follow our beliefs with respect to keep our ancestors happy.
DO YOU CELEBRATE YOUR HERITAGE?
(A) Yes! Celebrating heritage means knowing and understanding my roots. During Heritage month, we honour our beloved who have passed on by going to the graveyard to clean their graves.
(M) I do not because I’m not staying in a place where there are many cultural events and many people simply do not have any interest in culture. In modern societies, cultural gatherings are seen as a thing of the past and we go on with our supposedly modern lifestyle.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PEOPLE OF YOUR CUTURE?
(A) That they are loud and experts in witchcraft.
(M) That Swati men like insulting others and are polygamists.
WITH SUCH A RICH VARIETY OF CULTURES, WHAT COULD SOUTH AFRICANS DO TO BETTER UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER?
(A) By hosting events where people can get to better know each other’s culture.
(M) We need to respect, tolerate and appreciate everyone’s culture and not impose our ways of doing things on others. It is not the work of the lawmakers to ensure that, but it’s the responsibility of every citizen of this country.
All work and no play make Jack (and Jill) a dull boy (and girl).
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
WRITE TO US AT
LAYOUT
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.
HALT
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): WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE FASHION
DESIGNER FEATURED IN THIS EDITION?
Please send your answer, name and contact number to heita@tut.ac.za on or before 15 October 2018. Mark the subject field: COMPETITION. The winner will be announced in the next edition. Only registered TUT students can enter.
Good luck!
THOBILE INNOCENTIA MBHELE (21), a Journalism student at the Soshanguve Campus, is the winner of the competition featured in Heita! Vol10 no6 2018.
CONGRATULATIONS!
SPEND THE R300 WISELY.
The winner of the LUNCH COOLER BAG is IVAN DU PLESSIS, an MBA student at the Business School.