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Writing Centres Launch at DUT

Writing Centres Launch at DUT

Writing in the medium language poses a great challenge for a large number of students and this is regardless of whether English is their first or second language. In some cases, students may be articulate in English yet still battle with the written word.

This is one of the reasons why the Durban University of Technology established writing centres on its campuses this year. These centres are being run under the office of the DVC: Academic, Professor Nomthandazo Gwele and have been opened on all DUT campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, with the exception of the Ritson and Brickfield campuses. Students from the aforementioned campuses are serviced by the Steve Biko and City campuses respectively. It is crucial to note that the Writing Centre based at the City Campus has been in operation since 2008.

To formally launch this initiative, a function was held at the Ritson Exam Hall on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Among the guests were Prof Gwele, Dr Gift Mheta, Project Coordinator of the centres and Fred Khumalo, a well-known South African journalist and author who also gave the guest speech.

Elaborating further on the purpose of starting these writing centres, Dr Gift Mheta, Project Coordinator said, “The mission of the writing centres is to enhance the learning process at DUT. The centres are committed to advancing writing skills for both staff and students, focusing on one-on-one consultations.”

Each centre has a manager and tutors who were placed to maximally assist students. The tutors are mainly Master’s and PhD students who have a strong passion for literature; they were selected following a rigorous interview process after which they received relevant training.

In her welcome speech, Prof Gwele said the University was making history on Wednesday. “The writing centres are the centre of the curriculum changes to be implemented in the University. It is the core of what we are going to do as an institution,” she added.

Now a renowned journalist, Fred Khumalo, who studied Journalism at DUT in 1984, highlighted that the institution moulded him into the writer he has become. He emphasised that writing is a skill that can only be perfected through continuous practice and this is a stance shared by the coordinators of the writing centres.

“There is a common saying that life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what to expect. So is writing. In whatever you do in your career, you need to practice and you have to sacrifice and push yourself,” Khumalo said.

From here, Khumalo touched upon the issue of textese (commonly known as SMS language) which is now hindering the development of writers. He likened the use of SMS language to laziness and urged attendees to respect the art of writing by spelling words correctly.

The launch of the centres coincided with the announcement of the winners of a competition recently held in commemoration of late legendary writer Chinua Achebe. The competition, which received over 69 entries, was divided into three genres; namely short stories, poetry and essays (opinion pieces). The broad theme was “Tradition and Modernity” and this was subdivided into seven topics.

First prize winners in each category received a laptop while those who took second place got iPads. Third prize winners then went home with eBook Readers. Thobele Nzama took first place for the short story genre, Mufudzi Chihambakwe for the essay/opinion piece and Sbongakonke Phila Mbatha for Poetry.

Staff members and students can also log into the DUT website to find out more on the resources the writers centre has implemented to help advance academic writing.

Mbali Madlala and Naledi Hlefane

Pictured: Staff members of the Durban writing centres, DVC: Academic Professor Nomthandazo Gwele (eight from left), Dr Gift Mheta, Project Coordinator (ninth from left), Guest Speaker Fred Khumalo (third

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