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Head of Department:

Dr Tanya van der Walt, PhD Drama in Education (UKZN), MA Drama (Rhodes University), BA Hons (UND), BA (UND)

 

Dr Tanya van der Walt 

Senior Lecturer in Drama & Production Studies at Durban University of Technology She holds a PhD in Drama Education from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  Her career in theatre has included such diverse activities as stage management, lighting design, arts administration, marketing/publicity, acting, directing, writing, and teaching.   Her primary research interests are in the areas of Self-Study of Creative Practice (S-SCP); collaboration, creativity, and Drama-based teaching and learning. 

                                                           

Senior Lecturers     

Dr Pamela Tancsik, Dip: Health Pedagogy (ISPG: Munich); Dip: Social Work (Arts Therapy) (FHS: Munich); MA; PhD (Ludwig Maximilians University: Munich)

Dr Tancsik is a Senior Lecturer for Drama at Durban University of Technology since 2012. She is also a professional puppeteer, stage director and theatre practitioner for more than 30 years. She lectured many years for the UKZN Opera Studio and Choral Academy ‘German for singers’ and stage craft. She has a masters and a PhD in theatre history from Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich and is an experienced researcher in the field of German/Austrian and South African music history. She also holds a diploma for Social work (specializing in art therapy) and a diploma in Yoga and Ayurveda.

                                                 

Lecturers

Ms Clare Craighead, MA Drama and Performance Studies (UKZN), HONS Social Science (U), BSocSc (UND), TEFL (120 hours, high distinction).

 

Clare Craighead is a lecturer in the Drama and Production Studies Department at The Durban University of Technology. She holds an MA in Drama and Performance Studies from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, and has published in Critical Arts, South African Theatre Journal, South African Dance Journal and Agenda. Co-guest Edited an edition of Agenda titled “Gendered implications of new technologies and posthuman subjectivities: perspectives from the global South” which was released in early 2022. She is currently reading towards her PhD at UKZN, in Performance Studies with a focus on posthuman subjectivities. As company manager to Flatfoot Dance Company, she has been involved in various dance-related activities and exchanges in KZN and, with the company’s strong dance-education focus, Craighead has also been involved in various of the company’s schools workshop programs. She is also facilitator/organizer of the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience’s graduate writing residency program “JOMBA! KHULUMA” also steering committee for the JOMBA! Masihambisane Dialogues an annual colloquium which was launched under Covid-19 in 2021.

 

Mr. Mduduzi Mtshali, MA Drama and Performance Studies (UKZN), N Dip: Drama (DUT); Certificate of Higher Education in Contemporary Dance (Conservatoire for Dance and Drama (UK Canterbury, London)

Mdu Mtshali is a South African dance practitioner and dance lecturer at the Durban University of Technology with a passion for teaching, writing, and choreographing. Graduated from Drama Studies Department after reading for the three years National: Diploma Drama, in 1999. After completing his Diploma, danced with French dance company: Duroure Dance Company and travelled to Europe, Africa. Has a certificate in Television Production at Movie Tech Film and Television College. He also spent a year at the London Contemporary Dance School in the UK after being awarded a Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals/ British Council Dance Scholarship. Completed a Certificate of Higher Education in Contemporary Dance at the University of Kent in Canterbury (UK), followed by reading for his MA in Drama and Performance Studies at UKZN. Additionally, was an FNB Vita Dance Umbrella residence followed by CROSSINGS, won the Eric Shabalala Jomba award for his mentorship and training of young KZN talent. Performed and choreographed well-received works in Paris, China, Slovakia, Prague, and Budapest. On his return he received an invitation to choreographed on the ANOC 2014 Olympic in BANKOK.

                                                           

Mr Rowin Munsamy, MA Drama and Performance, BA Hons (UND), BA (UND), Assessor Qualification in Drama (Damelin College)

 

Has been Teaching and Lecturing for the past 19 years at institutions all around KZN, with central focus in Drama and Performance Studies but also inclusive of English, Law, and Gender Studies courses at tertiary level. He is currently pursuing is Doctorate in the fields of writing and directing theatre, with specific interrogation of South African Indian Theatre and the emergence of Bollywood Theatre. Munsamy is also a professional writer, director, performer and has Produced more than a dozen theatre shows. Currently he is stationed in DUT’s Drama and Production Studies department as a lecturer. He is the coordinator of the Durban Shakespeare School’s festival and in actively involved in outreach projects in and around Durban, including Pietermaritzburg.

                                                           

Mrs Philisiwe Twijnstra MA Creative Writing (Rhodes University), N Dip: Drama (DUT), SA Writer’s College, online grammar skills qualification.

 

Philisiwe Twijnstra is a lecturer in the Durban University of Technology. She has obtained her MA degree in Creative Writing from Rhodes University.  Has published her critical article in Gender Ms Twijnstra was selected to present her play in Ghana ‘Horny&’ and she is one of the 21 African shortlisted writers selected published by Catalyst Press. ‘The girl named uku/pha/za/mi/se/ka ‘Her award-winning plays have toured Europe produced by Swedish company Darling Desperados. Has interest in pursuing her PHD study on normalizing sexuality, and eroticism in African literature focusing on black women.

                                                           

Junior Lecturers      

 

Ms Lee-Ann Naicker M. Tech Drama (TUT), N. Dip: Drama (TP); B. Tech Drama (TP)

 

Junior Lecturer, Ms. Lee-Anne Naicker holds a master’s degree in Drama as well as a certificate in the Basic Principals of Public Relations. Her career in theatre includes acting, directing, and teaching. She is interested in edutainment and believes in creative expression.

                                                           

Ms Nozuko Shaun Teto, Post Graduate Dip in Music in Performance (UCT); BMus (UKZN)

 

Junior Lecturer in Drama & Production Studies at Durban University of Technology, she holds a BMus. (Music Ed.) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a PGDip. (Opera Perf) from the University of cape Town and her am MMUS. (Music Perf.) pending from the North-West University. Has travelled internationally to enhance her performance skills using the Bel Canto singing technique for vocal longevity. Her career as a professional classical musician has not only remained within national shores but has taken her to international stages where she got raving reviews from Opera critics. To fulfil her social responsibility, Nozuko is exploring the entrepreneurial route as, director to her private company, Adesso Enterprises (Pty) Ltd., Chairperson to Zannarts NPO, and an Online Radio broadcaster. Through music performance projects she expresses her passion by reaching out to the youth and inspire them to live a significant life of service.

                                                           

Senior Technical Assistant

          

Mr Napoleon Motimele, N. Dip: Performing Arts (TUT); B. Tech: Performing Arts Tech (TUT); PG Dip in Leadership; M Comm in Leadership Studies.

 

Mr Napoleon Motimele is a Senior Technical Assistant & Residence Advisor at Durban University of Technology . His career includes being a former part time lecturer & theatre assistant at TUT SRC student Faculty Chairperson at TUT, All Residence Committee Health & Gender officer at TUT Residence Committee Chairperson at TUT. He has a Master of Commerce in Leadership from UKZN, Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership from UKZN, B-Tech in Performing Arts Technology from TUT, National Diploma in Performing Arts Technology from TUT.

                                                           

Laboratory Assistant

Mr Lerato Ledwaba, N. Dip: Performing Arts Tech (TUT)

Laboratory Assistant in the Drama and Production Studies at Durban University of Technology.

He holds a National Diploma in Performing Arts Technology (also know as Entertainment Technology).

His career in Theatre included different aspects such as Technical Stage Manager, Stage Management, Stagehand, Audio Visual, Sound and Lighting. His Also acclaimed Theatre Lighting Design Student based production and Professional Dance Design.

                                                           

Secretary

Ms Bawinile Nomcebo Mngadi, N. Dip: Office Management (DUT); B. Tech: Business Administration (DUT)

Secretary in Drama & Production Studies at Durban University of Technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in office Management from Durban University of Technology. Her career includes being Executive Secretary to the HoD, previously Faculty assistant. Has interest to advancing her research studies in Postgrad Business Information in Management.

                                                           

Administrative Assistant          

 

Ms Busi E Mqadi, N. Dip: Human Resources (DUT); B. Tech: Human Resources (DUT)

 

Busisiwe Evidence Mqadi is an Admin Assistant in Drama & Production Studies at Durban University of Technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Durban University of Technology. Her career includes being an Administrator to the HoD, previously worked as Secretary in Graphic design and Entertainment technology dept. Has interest to advance her career in Business Management.