“VUT Comic Day connected Visual Arts students with industry professionals, showcasing opportunities in comics, animation and illustration while inspiring the next generation of creative talent.”
03 September 2026 | Story by: Ntebogeleng Digasu | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
4 minutes read time.
For many aspiring artists, the journey from a sketchbook to a successful creative career can seem uncertain. While talent may be abundant, opportunities, industry connections and platforms to showcase that talent are often difficult to access.
It was against this backdrop that the Department of Visual Arts at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) hosted VUT Comic Day on 28 August 2026 at K Block, bringing students together with established artists, authors, animators and creative industry practitioners determined to help shape the next generation of storytellers.
Hosted by VUT Senior Lecturer in Visual Arts, Dr Makwela Mashaole, the event provided students with valuable insights into the realities of building careers in comics, animation, illustration and publishing. More importantly, it demonstrated that creative talents developed in the classroom can evolve into rewarding professional opportunities.
Among the guests were Mrs Semakaleng Moeketsi from the Emfuleni Arts and Culture Department, as well as representatives from creative organisations including Majesty Comics, Tsotsi Taal, led by Mr Thabang Rampai, and the Dipopaye Community.
Also sharing his journey was Mr Gift Gamu, founder of Welcome to Muvhango. Although he studied Biotechnology, his passion for drawing remained a constant throughout his academic journey.
“I studied Biotechnology, but drawing was always my passion. After completing my undergraduate qualification, I decided to pursue art and that is when I realised how much I truly loved it. I knew that this was something I wanted to take seriously and build into something meaningful,” said Mr Gamu.
His story encouraged students to recognise that career paths are not always linear and that passion, when pursued with determination, can open unexpected doors.
For Mr Lesego Mailula of Majesty Comics, the event presented an opportunity to share the realities behind creative success and the perseverance often required to achieve it.
Mr Mailula explained that a comic story developed by his team in 2019 took several years before it was finally published.
“We started with the story, but the challenge was finding the right people and the right community to help us bring it to life,” he said.
From 2019 to 2023, the team actively searched for opportunities, collaborators and industry networks before eventually finding a breakthrough after engaging with creative communities in Johannesburg.
“We had to go out and find the community that could help us move forward,” Mr Mailula told students.
Today, Majesty Comics has produced three comic-book issues and developed an animated series currently in production, demonstrating the potential of locally created stories to grow into larger creative projects.
A key theme emerging from the discussions was the need to create opportunities closer to home for young artists. Through collaborations involving VUT, Emfuleni and industry partners, stakeholders hope to establish pathways that enable students to gain practical experience without having to leave their communities in search of opportunities.
“We want to work with all of you across different creative spaces, whether animation, illustration or storytelling,” Mr Mailula said.
Plans are underway to involve students in real-world creative projects, including the production of a comic book and approximately ten minutes of animation. Such initiatives would provide students with valuable experience and professional portfolio material while helping them build industry-ready skills.
Dr Mashaole also highlighted the broader significance of comics and animation as powerful tools for cultural expression and preservation.
“Animation is not only entertainment. It can also be used to tell our stories, preserve our history and represent who we are,” he said.
Adding another layer of inspiration to the programme was Mr Brian Mako, Senior Librarian at Bojanala Municipality, bestselling author of Abiola and a VUT Graphic Art alumnus.
Reflecting on his journey from Mmatau, a rural village near Rustenburg, to becoming a published author, Mr Mako encouraged students to remain focused on their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
“Coming from a rural village, I have learned that your background should never limit your dreams,” said Mr Mako. “VUT gave me the foundation to develop my creativity and turn my passion into something meaningful.”
As the event concluded, students left with a powerful message about collaboration, resilience and self-belief.
“Do not wait for someone else to create an opportunity for you,” Mr Mailula said. “Create together.”
Through initiatives such as VUT Comic Day, the University continues to create platforms that connect students with industry professionals, nurture creative talent and demonstrate the growing opportunities available within South Africa’s creative and cultural industries.
For the young artist sketching ideas in a notebook or imagining stories yet to be told, the event served as a reminder that every successful creative journey begins with a single idea and the courage to pursue it.