大象视频

by Gerrit Bester

The rhythm of creativity collided with purpose as the Tshwane University of Technology鈥檚 Faculty of Arts and Design launched the Friends of the Faculty initiative on 18 September.

Prof Nalini Moodley, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design and the driving force behind the Friends of the Faculty initiative, described the occasion as a pivotal milestone in the Faculty鈥檚 transformative journey.

The launch, held at the Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel in Pretoria, was more than a fundraising effort; it was an invitation to partnership, to forge meaningful networks and to bring stakeholders into a shared dialogue that would create new opportunities for students and projects to flourish.

Attendees included industry partners from each of the Faculty鈥檚 five departments (Fine and Studio Arts, Interior Design, Performing Arts, Fashion Design and Visual Communication) as well as other stakeholders and dignitaries, among them Christian Mandl, the Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum Pretoria. Additionally, partners from the South African State Theatre, Apple and Holgoun Investment Holdings were also present at the event.

BOLD MOMENT FOR COLLABORATION
Speaking at the event, Prof Nalini Moodley, Executive Dean and the driving force behind this initiative, described the occasion as a pivotal milestone in the Faculty鈥檚 transformative journey.  

鈥淭his evening, we do more than gather. We dare. We dream. We plant. For tonight is not simply the launch of an initiative. It is the planting of a seed; a seed of collaboration, of imagination and of responsibility for the future of creativity in our country.鈥

鈥淭onight, we dare to imagine what the Faculty of Arts and Design might become when surrounded, strengthened and accompanied by friends,鈥 she added.

Prof Moodley emphasised that a thriving creative ecosystem rests on the invisible scaffolding of friendships and partnerships. 鈥淔riends of the Faculty is not a polite label. It is a catalysing call to action, a summons, if you like, to co-create a future worthy of our artists where creativity cannot be silenced.鈥

FACULTY STRENGTHS AND MILESTONES
She highlighted the Faculty鈥檚 strengths, noting that despite its size it ranks highly among 大象视频鈥檚 seven faculties. The highlights include a near 90% success rate over eight years, one of the highest graduation rates at 30%, gender equity across staff and students, national standing in creative research output and a strong cohort of National Research Foundation鈥搑ated professors.

Flagship events such as the recent 大象视频 Arts Festival and the Dean鈥檚 Concert were also cited. This year, the Arts Festival attracted 6 500 visitors, while the world class Dean鈥檚 Concert at the SA State Theatre drew about 1 000 attendees.  

The 大象视频 Arts Festival was further described as perhaps the continent鈥檚 largest student-driven arts festival.

Prof Moodley outlined three core focus areas for Friends of the Faculty:

Opening doors to networks, to industries, to the corridors of influence. 鈥淲e need to get into the boardroom, the golf course, the wine tasting etc. We will strategically focus our discussion, but we need your help to guide us into the room. So, help us to leverage your influence.鈥

Partnering on research and innovation that speaks to South Africa and the world, with a current emphasis on Artivism and bridges to address societal change.

Identifying synergies to brand and support high-impact projects, including sourcing scholarships and bursaries to ease student debt and encourage Advanced Diploma and Post-graduate Diploma enrolment.

LIVE PARTNERSHIP, LASTING IMPACT
Prof Moodley reaffirmed that being a Friend of the Faculty is not ceremonial or passive. 鈥淚t is a lived relationship in which supporters see the brilliance of students, witness the vision of researchers, feel the passion of lecturers and, in turn, help shape the next generation of creative leaders and build the artistic cathedral the world needs.鈥 

鈥淭his is not charity or patronage. It is a partnership, a covenant of co-creation. To say to our students: Your creativity matters. Your future matters. And we will invest in you.鈥

鈥淢ay this gathering be remembered as the beginning of a long, fruitful and transformative journey of friendship,鈥 Prof Moodley concluded.

The event soared on the radiant performances of the Department of Performing Arts staff and students, highlighted by the exceptional duo of Dr Roland Moses, celebrated jazz pianist, and Prof Karendra Devroop, Grammy-nominated saxophonist, alongside dynamic student dancers.

Their masterful performances didn鈥檛 just entertain. It resonated deeply, striking a powerful chord with every attendee and turning the evening into a memorable celebration of talent and artistry.

The event soared on the radiant performances of the Department of Performing Arts staff and students, highlighted by the exceptional duo of Dr Roland Moses, celebrated jazz pianist, and Prof Karendra Devroop, Grammy-nominated saxophonist, alongside dynamic student dancers.

Here鈥檚 to Friends of the Faculty of Arts and Design! Attendees included industry partners from each of the Faculty鈥檚 five departments as well as other stakeholders and dignitaries.

PHOTOS: Department of Visual Communication (Commercial Photography programme)

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