The Durban University of Technology’s Journalism Programme recently joined hands with Ilanga High School, Kwadabeka, in a recycling awareness campaign as part of the students’ community outreach efforts.

Ilanga High School, in collaboration with Journalismiziko, an online publication by Journalism students at DUT, held a recyclable material fashion show which saw its students showcasing runway designs made of recyclable material. The event was also held to celebrate the relationship between Journalismiziko and the school.

For the past five weeks, DUT’s Journalismiziko editors have offered English tutorials to the school’s matric classes.

School Principal, Nkululeko Hlakanyana, urged students to learn as much as they could from the event, describing the day as enlightening. “This is not a just a fun day, we are going to learn a lot from members of DUT and what is going to take place here,” said Hlakanyana.

Competition was tight as contestants battled it out, showing their modeling talent and designs. The entertainment of the day was provided by students who took turns on the dance floor. Some classes had group presentations of drama, cultural songs and dance.

After a series of modeling rounds, the judges reached their final decision.

Nomfundo Dlodlo, a grade 11 pupil won first prize. Siphelele Gavu was the runner up while Hlengiwe Ndlovu took third prize.

Leading up to the event, Journalismiziko also ran an essay writing competition where grade 12 pupils wrote about sustainable living in the KwaDabeka township. The Editor-in-chief of the publication, Maud Blose, presented the award to Londekile Nzama.

Apart from the certificate that Nzama was awarded, her essay will be published on the online publication. At the end of the event, Blose presented the Going Green competition award to Mrs N.B. Nxumalo who teaches Arts and Culture at the school. Nxumalo worked hand-in-hand with Blose to make the event a success. Nxumalo was grateful for the award which came as a surprise as she did not expect it.

In her closing remarks, Blose thanked Ilanga High School for hosting the event. She further expressed her gratitude for their co-operation during English tutorials, and wished the matric pupils luck on their final-year examinations.

– Winston Sibanda

Pictured: The top three winners of the Going Green competition. From left to right are Ilanga High School pupils Nomfundo Dlodlo (first prize winner), Siphelele Gavu (second place) and Hlengiwe Ndlovu (third place).