The Project Level Six team successfully hosted it very first programme in the form of an architecture exhibition. This exhibition aimed at introducing a culture of collaborative work between students of different institutions. The exhibition took place at the Ritson Campus Hall from 28 to 29 November 2019. There were both DUT and UKZN students showcasing their work.

Project Level Six is an architectural student-driven project that was established in 2015. The main objective for this project is to construct a new floor on-top of the S-block building, hence the name “Level Six”. Giving more of an overview is Siphephelo Mthembu, who is the the Project Level Six Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement. “This new space to be introduced seeks to address a number of students’ related concerns, in which to a certain extent, they become a barrier for academic excellence. Lack of facilities to accommodate students’ needs remain a challenge that have been left unattended for quite some time, the introduction of this new floor will open a social space for engagements between students; lectures and professionals, a space that will be utilised primarily for exchange of ideas to contribute positively towards academic excellence,” he said.

Mthembu also added that apart from introducing a new floor, this project also aims at improving social cohesion among students’ and professionals within the space of engineering and built environment, through providing relevant platforms such as, exhibitions, workshops and conferences.

The exhibition was also graced by the presence of professionals such as Jonathan Edkins, Wandile Mthiyane, Minenhle Ntuli; Dr Y Luckan, Mark Bellingan, Videsh Boodu and Thabane Ndlovu.

When asked to reflect more on the journey about this project, project leader Thabiso Joyisa said: “Impatience kills success, if it was not for the dedication and patience of the entire team we would not be where we are today. We had to keep knocking in different doors from 2015, and it only now, after three years, that we see things moving.” He also emphasised on the importance of supporting students’ initiatives in order to develop institutions of higher learning, “If it was not for the support from our own institution, the Durban University of Technology (DUT), our project would have been just a dream with no chances of implementing,” he said.

Pictured: Back Row: Minenhle Ntuli; Mark Bellingan; Jonathan Edkins; Dr Y Luckan and Siphephelo Mthembu.

Front Row: Sanele Msani; Azraa Osman; Tsidi Maohloli; Louis Du Plessis; Khayakazi Matangana; Thabiso Joyisa and Ngoako Rangwato.

Siphephelo Mthembu

Waheeda Peters