by Gerrit Bester In celebration of excellence, the top performers of 2025 from the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design took centre stage at the Faculty Academic Excellence Awards, held on 10 June. A total of 57 exceptional students from the departments of Fashion Design and Technology, Interior Design, Visual Communication, Performing Arts and Fine and Studio Arts were recognised for exceeding expectations and consistently pushing the boundaries of t

By Nicole Govender The South African Music Technology Innovation and Capacity-building (SAMTIC) project, launched in November 2025, shifted into high gear in April 2026. The next phase of this initiative enabled person-to-person interaction, training and mentoring at the Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg and the University of Sofia, St. Kliment Ohridski. Through a series of staff training sessions and workshops, South African academics were given the opportunity to engage directl

by Gerrit Bester The Directorate of Health and Wellness’ Health and Wellness Centre at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design has been officially designated as an Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services (AYFS) compliant facility, following a comprehensive assessment by Tshwane District Health Services. This achievement is particularly significant during Youth Month, as it reinforces the institution’s commitment to accessible, youth-centred healthcare

by Gerrit Bester The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Faculty of Arts and Design hosted a landmark visit by leading music technology academics from Europe as part of the South African Music Technology and Innovation Consortium (SAMTIC), an Erasmus+ funded project supported by the European Union. The initiative, spearheaded by TUT, brings together Unisa, the University of Pretoria, WITS University, Germany’s Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg and Bulgaria’s University of Sofi

This unmissable festival celebrates the transformative power of theatre through its dynamic theme: "Where Stories Meet Society Beyond the Stage, Into the Conversation: Theatre That Challenges, Engages and Inspires Change." For more information or to book your spot, contact MoabiG@tut.ac.za.

The Department of Performing Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design presents the Rostrum Roulette Festival, taking place from 11 to 13 June, with daily performances beginning at 9:30. Hosted at the Rostrum Theatre and Intimate Theatre, this dynamic festival highlights the creative work of third-year Theatre Arts and Performance students. A longstanding and celebrated tradition within the department, the Rostrum Roulette Festival serves as a

Great excitement as students see their wine labels in production at SA Litho in Cape Town today as part of the ROTOCON Wine Label Design Competition. The students, representing the Department of Visual Communication (Integrated Communication Design) at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design, were the top performers in the 2026 competition and had the invaluable opportunity to experience their work moving into professional production. What began as a

by Gerrit Bester For Dr Rostislava Pashkevitch-Ngobeni, music has always been more than performance. It has been a lifelong bridge between continents, cultures and generations. Now, the Head of the Department of Performing Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design has received one of Bulgaria’s highest music honours, the prestigious Golden Lyre Award (Zlatna Lyra), in recognition of her outstanding contribution to music, performance and arts ed

by Gerrit Bester The Department of Visual Communication officially launched the third edition of its annual Bridging the Gap series on 25 May at the Faculty of Arts and Design campus, bringing students face-to-face with the realities of contemporary creative practice. Designed to bridge the space between academia and industry, the week-long programme immerses students in the fast-moving world of Visual Communication through guest lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations, w

The Department of Performing Arts, Tshwane University of Technology, is proud to present The House of Truth. This captivating production delves into the life of the legendary South African journalist, Can Themba. Running from 6 – 9 May 2026, the play is directed by Gifter Ngobeni and written by Prof Siphiwo Mahala, a renowned novelist and distinguished academic. Bookings are essential: Please scan the QR code on the official poster or contact Breytie@tut.ac.za +27 12 382-2

by Gerrit Bester Professional athlete Angelique Strijdom (24) excels in both athletics and academics, having earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design at the Faculty of Arts & Design's graduation ceremony on 23 April. In an interview, she says that sport had built her resilience and mindset, which had carried over into her academic performance. Graduating is an incredible accomplishment. What motivated you to maintain such a high level of academic performance throughou

by Gerrit Bester In a heartfelt letter, Gift Malapane (30), who obtained a Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology at TUT today, 23 April, says that this journey was never walked alone and lives in gratitude and memories. Dear esteemed mentors, lecturers and guiding souls of my journey, I would like to take a moment to honour every one of you who played a meaningful role in my university journey, a journey that tested me, shaped me and ultimately reminded me why I should nev

by Gerrit Bester The TUT Arts Campus hosted a successful Career Expo on 16 April, giving Faculty of Arts & Design students the chance to connect with industry professionals and potential future employers. This event, organised in partnership with the Directorate of Cooperative Education, attracted a diverse array of exhibitors, spanning government sectors, industry giants and entrepreneurial ventures. Student engagement was robust with attendees representing all academic leve

Mpho Malesa (Director) and the cast from the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Performing Arts are proud to present On Air , a play that promises to entertain and engage audiences with its focus on censorship. On Air follows a fearless radio journalist whose career is built on exposing the truth and holding those in power to account through her national broadcasts. However, the very platform that amplifies her voice becomes increasingly controlled, as overt

by Gerrit Bester TUT's Faculty of Arts and Design is joining the Clarens Arts Festival for the first time, bringing new voices to the renowned event in the picturesque town of Clarens in the Eastern Free State. Since its establishment in 2022, the festival has consistently brought together renowned artists, performers and audiences, turning Clarens into a vibrant hub where language, heritage and creative expression converge. TUT's collaboration with the festival is based on

by Gerrit Bester Teaching and learning in the Faculty of Arts & Design’s Interior Design Department has become more hands-on with the launch of a Sample Room, powered by student creativity and industry collaboration. In interior design, a sample room is essential for exploring and specifying materials. It enables informed decisions about material application, sustainability, maintenance and aesthetic qualities, helping students design in response to real client requirements.

by Gerrit Bester From flying solo in Pretoria, to a collaboration in Witklipfontein, the Tshwane University of Technology’s Cow Mashilo, aka Cow Mash, shares her art with varied audiences in the coming months. Firstly, Cow, a lecturer in Fibre Arts in the Department of Fine and Studio Arts at the Faculty of Arts and Design, hosts a solo exhibition titled 𝙙𝙞𝙩š𝙬𝙖𝙩š𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙜 currently on at the Javett-UP’s Reimagined Tower Gallery. 𝙙𝙞𝙩š𝙬𝙖𝙩š𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙜, translated

by Gerrit Bester The TUT Faculty of Arts and Design’s Spotlight on Postgraduate Studies, Research & Innovation on 23 March highlighted the challenges visually impaired consumers face when choosing clothing. In his presentation titled Effectiveness of a clothing selection guide for visually impaired individuals in Gauteng, South Africa , Dr Aubrey Ramatla from the Department of Fashion Design discussed the challenges visually impaired consumers encounter, including colour iden

by Gerrit Bester Lungisani Mjaji, a Commercial Photography alumnus, shot to fame when a photo he took of his niece carrying an Albany loaf went viral on social media. He now has a film screening at the IMAX theatre. What true story inspired your short film, The Float , and what themes did you want the audience to feel or understand? Growing up in villages across South Africa, many of us disobeyed our parents, and sadly, we lost childhood friends along the way. My short film

Visit the paved area in front of Building 26 on the TUT Arts Campus on Thursday, 19 March, between 9:30 and 15:30, when second-year Painting students will be hosting a pop-up exhibition called 'Arts Campus Through Fresh Eyes.' This is the students’ first project of the year. “We call it their ‘24 Hour Painting’ project because they’re expected to complete it within 24 hours spread over a few days,” says Danielle Malherbe, Painting lecturer who oversees the project. “The subje