Page 4 - DUT EDGE Dec 21

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RISING STARS
InspiredbyFashion
Ntombenhle Hlela has found that being a student and an entrepreneur is no walk in the park. The 26-year-old, who
is from a small community called Willowfontein, kwaTomu in Pietermaritzburg, is registered for a Diploma in Public Management at DUT. Due to the increasing workload, she was unable to complete the last semester and is planning to do so in 2022.
Pictured: Ntombenhle Hlela
Hlela holds an NQF level 5 High Certificate in Fashion Design.She commented: “I thought my love and passion for fashion and education would make it easy for me to be a student and an entrepreneur concurrently. Balancing the two is a process that that one learns along the way and requires consistency, time management and planning. Now I have acquired these skills, I am ready to complete my studies.”
Hlela is the founder of Brighnual Designs in Pietermaritzburg, a boutique that specialises in garment making, fashion and textiles that represent a simple yet elegant and unique style. Her business has not only opened doors for her, but provides jobs for two full-time employees, with plans to employ more as the establishment expands.
She said that watching Selimathunzi showcasing celebrities’ fashion inspired her.
“I was not able to find what I was looking for in most retail shops and this encouraged me to create my unique styles. My dream is to own more retail boutiques and have the biggest black-owned fabric shop.”
She added that there are always challenges in any business, but one should never give up on one’s dreams.
“To be a successful designer, it is important to always stay up-to-date on trends by visiting digital platforms and following other designers for inspiration. A successful fashion designer also needs excellent business skills which include budget management, good communication skills, creativity and the ability to work under pressure,” said Hlela.
Zanele Mashaba
Encouraging Young Girls to Pursue Careers in STEM
Lethokuhle Shandu is flying the DUT flag high, having been selected as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA).
The third-year student in ICT in Applications Develop- ment hopes to harness technology to do good for her community.
“I initially wanted to be a pastry chef,and was accepted at a hotel school. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to look at my other options. Like other children, I loved playing computer games and have always been fascinated by how (ethical) hackers are able to solve problems on-demand.” She decided to study IT and is thoroughly enjoying it.
Shandu is a member of the IoT and Robotics club on campus. Being part of a programme like MLSA enables her to collaborate with people outside of campus and around the world.
“You need to have an active social media profile, and keep up to date with tech news and the happenings in the Twitter space of tech. That is how I find most of the activities I participate in, for instance a hackathon I recently took part in,” she said.
She added: “Basic computer skills are vital in today’s digitalised world. I want to create a space where people in the community feel welcome and to make technology
a fun space for anyone. No person should be left behind. Teaching the youth about technology will enable them to change the world. I also want to help to bridge the gender gap in IT by encouraging young women in high school to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics.
“The IoT and Robotics club gave me the confidence to apply for the Microsoft programme. I felt it was time for me to start putting the ideas I had out there,” she said.
Shandu aims to carry on learning because technology is forever evolving.
“I believe that I have so much more to experience to grow personally and professionally. I aim to spread this initiative across the continent and then to the rest of the world by collaborating with people with the same goals for young women in tech,” she added.
Students with a keen interest in technology can apply for the MLSA programme here: https://studentambassadors. microsoft.com/ It is open all year round.
Waheeda Peters
Pictured: Lethokuhle Shandu