{"id":37070,"date":"2026-05-26T12:31:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T12:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=37070"},"modified":"2026-05-26T13:53:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T13:53:04","slug":"fine-art-students-inspired-to-pursue-careers-in-animation-vfx-and-digital-storytelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/en_gb\/fine-art-students-inspired-to-pursue-careers-in-animation-vfx-and-digital-storytelling\/","title":{"rendered":"Fine Art students inspired to pursue careers in Animation, VFX and digital storytelling"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Fine Art students at the Vaal University of Technology gained valuable industry insights during an AVIJOZI NPC and Chocolate Tribe Industry Readiness Talk on Animation, VFX and Digital Arts, preparing them for creative careers.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

26 May 2026 | Story by: Staff Reporter | Picture: Supplied<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fine Art students from the Department of Visual Arts and Design (VAD) at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) were recently equipped with valuable industry insights during an inspiring Industry Readiness Talk aimed at preparing emerging creatives for opportunities within the rapidly growing digital arts sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The session, hosted on 20 May 2026, formed part of the continued impact of the one-week Empowa Youth Vaal programme held in Sebokeng in April 2026. AVIJOZI NPC facilitated the engagement in partnership with Chocolate Tribe, an internationally recognised postproduction and visual effects company with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative aligned with the university\u2019s commitment to strengthening industry partnerships and ensuring students are equipped with the practical knowledge and professional skills required in the evolving creative economy. The session specifically focused on Animation, Visual Effects (VFX), Content Development and career pathways within Digital Arts studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students were exposed to the realities and expectations of the creative industry, gaining insight into both technical and interpersonal competencies needed to succeed in professional creative environments. The presentation explored hard skills, such as technical proficiency in creative software applications, as well as soft skills, including adaptability, communication, critical thinking, social awareness and teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical guidance was also provided on developing professional CVs, creating showreels and portfolios, preparing for interviews, and building a personal brand that reflects one\u2019s creative identity and professional aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academic leader Dr Mashaole Makwela highlighted the importance of exposing students to emerging opportunities within the digital arts landscape and encouraged young creatives to embrace African storytelling through innovative platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe the more our students tap into the Animation, VFX and Content Development industries, the more they can contribute immensely to developing African oriented storytelling techniques for the global market,\u201d said Dr Makwela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many students, the engagement became more than a career guidance session; it became a source of inspiration and renewed confidence about their future in the arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine Art student Mr Darlingboy Mashinini described the talk as a transformative experience that expanded his understanding of animation and storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe talk led by AVIJOZI and Chocolate Tribe on Industry Readiness was a pivotal moment for me,\u201d he said. \u201cI learned practical tools for preparing for industry level interviews, from emotional and social intelligence to building a strong professional skill set.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Mashinini explained that the session opened his eyes to the broader possibilities within animation, film and VFX, while also helping him recognise the potential of authentic South African storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a vast potential to tell authentic South African stories,\u201d he added. \u201cSeeing Chocolate Tribe succeed gives me hope because it proves that it is possible. The session gave me a roadmap for my journey and motivated me to continue sharpening my skills and pursuing my dream of becoming a showrunner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Ms Lesego Mashego said the presentation helped ease the anxieties many students experience when entering the job market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAVIJOZI gave me valuable insights about job hunting in the media industry and how to navigate the application process successfully,\u201d she said. \u201cThe session made me realise there are many opportunities within the field and there is no need to panic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Maishe Kgatle also reflected on how the session deepened his appreciation for post- production work and strengthened his confidence in pursuing a career in film and VFX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI learnt a lot about how the ecosystem of post-production works and the amount of work that goes into producing quality content,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe lecture opened my eyes to emerging opportunities in South Africa, especially within VFX, which remains a niche but rapidly growing industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Kgatle further praised the impact the session had on students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis lecture was a beautiful ongoing conversation that increased my confidence in pursuing the arts in animation and film,\u201d he said. \u201cIt gave many of us the motivation to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The keynote presentation was led by Ms Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, a respected South African entrepreneur, attorney, mentor and global advocate for African animation and visual storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Founder and CEO of Chocolate Tribe, Maketo-van den Bragt has positioned the company as one of Africa and Asia\u2019s top ranked Animation and VFX studios. Through her leadership, the studio has contributed to internationally acclaimed productions including Children of Blood and Bone, Kizazi Moto, Silverton Siege and iNumber Number: Jozi Gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is also the founder of AVIJOZI NPC, a social impact initiative dedicated to creative technology education, mentorship and industry access for emerging African talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her engagement with VUT students not only introduced learners to professional opportunities in the creative sector but also demonstrated the growing global demand for African stories, perspectives and innovation in the digital arts industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Industry Readiness Talk served as a reminder that the creative economy continues to evolve, opening doors for young artists, animators and storytellers to shape narratives that resonate both locally and internationally. For VUT Fine Art students, the session marked an important step towards transforming artistic passion into sustainable and impactful careers.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Fine Art students at the Vaal University of Technology gained valuable industry insights during an AVIJOZI NPC and Chocolate Tribe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":37206,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-vaal-university-of-technology","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t