Closing off their year in style, the Durban University of Technology’s Department of Drama Studies hosted an awards evening at the DUT Courtyard Theatre on Friday last week.
Themed “Ghetto Fabulous vs Vintage”, the awards were held to honor students for their hard work and to bid farewell to its third-years.
To say good-bye to their peers, the first and second-year students compiled a production which included some of their (third-year students) best 2012 performances; ranging from dance to stage productions, pulling off a few hip hop and kwaito performances with a mix of poetry.
Congratulating students on their hard work and determination, DUT Drama Studies graduate and television personality Lele Ledwaba – best known for her role as Pinky on SABC 2 comedy Stokvel – told outgoing students that their final year at University is the start of their career, adding that any decision made now would determine their future.
“It’s a cut throat industry. People are harsh and the glitz and glamour you see aren’t always what they seem. It takes a lot of work to reach the top. You will get rejected, hurt and told you are not worthy but do not let that get you down. It must build you and make you a better and stronger”, said Ledwaba.
Speaking on behalf of the third-years students, Departmental Representative Lungelwa Radebe said she would miss DUT. ” It has been a long three years and I speak for all of us when I say we will miss this place. It has built us and made us who we are. Thank you for this beautiful night that celebrated all of us, we appreciate it and we are happy to know that no matter what your doors will always be open”, said Radebe.
In a bitter-sweet moment, Department HOD Professor Debbie Lutge urged (third-year) students to always put their best foot forward. “Tonight we bid you farewell but this is only the beginning of your life. I urge you not to forget who you are and where you come from and to always work at achieving the best”, she said, before quoting Mahatma Gandhi.
“I leave you with this quote to guide you. ‘You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean. If a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty’. When you feel you have lost your soul remember Marilyn Monroe said ‘Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul’. You can lose it all but not your soul, because then you have nothing. Good luck and farewell”, said Prof Lutge.
–Nongcebo Khumalo
Pictured: DUT Drama Studies third-year students who won a joint award for the 2012 Educational Theatre Performance Process Award with TV personality Lele Ledwaba. Pictured from left: Third-year student Noluthando Kubheka, TV personality Lele Ledwaba and third-year students Ayanda Fali and Snethemba Manyoni.
