Pretoria Team
Bridget Uys
Certainly colourful and vibrant theatre – that’s how Bridget can describe every day at Vega. Juggling between the various characters she needs to portray, and changing roles from one minute to the next, her role within Vega is quite diverse. At any point she can either be wearing her hat for the Finance Navigator role or the cloak for Operations Navigator and then, at times, she will also put on the costume for her part-time photography lecturing role. Each day’s script is different, presenting her with the most exciting and wonderful challenges, as well as rewards.
Celeste McKenzie
For Celeste, it’s all about living life. You get opportunities in life and you take them. It happened when she took a gap year at 45. She took leave of some of her securities by working for less, but did what she loves most – being a professional photographer. She even went as far as starting up her own company and freelanced for a while. While at Vega, she lives the brand with enthusiasm, creativity, knowledge, skills, life skills and, above all, wisdom (that comes with age). She has business sense with a combination of academic skills, and she works in a creative environment. What more could a gal want? She also has a BA Comms (Hons) with specialisation in Audiovisual, Journalism and Advertising. The Alternative Photography website in London did a full length article on her Cyanotype processing and other techniques such as van Dyke Brown and Salt. She has a passion for Fine Art and has recently returned from Scotland where she did a project on Infra Red. Celeste has won 19 awards since 2009 of which 5 are International awards and currently studies under the UK based photographer Michael Freeman and through the Open College of the Arts, Buckinghamshire University. She still prints and develops film and combines that with alternative processes such as Lith printing.
Hilfred Siebrits
Hilfred Siebrits did his first year Higher Certificate in Professional Photography in 2009, followed by an Advanced Certificate in Professional Photography in 2010. He focuses most of his work on Portraiture in Studio and Location. He is also studying Student Skills Development on a part-time basis. He’s in charge of all the studios and darkrooms on the Pretoria Campus. He loves playing golf on weekends and learning new techniques to build on his present knowledge.
Ingrid Wlotzka
As Vega Pretoria’s librarian, Ingrid breaks the clichéd, stereotypical librarian mould. Whilst she loves her books and enthusiastically shares articles and finds with both staff and pupils, her world is not complete without her dancing, toastmasters and various other activities. Ingrid is a strong activist for eco-friendly, green living, and is the driving force behind the campus’s recycling campaigns and awareness projects.
Karel Smit
Karel Smit is the Campus Navigator at Vega Pretoria, and has a love for people development. His travels from the South African Air Force to the world of banking and insurance into the world of photography is an odd meander, but portrays what many people experience in life - ultimately one must pursue the passion; what you are good at. Having been involved with Vega from the beginning of the integration of the National College of Photography in 2008 has provided both challenge and joy. “No greater joy ensues than when the magical world of learning finds fertile ground in hungry minds.”
Karen Pienaar
Karen completed her Visual Communications Diploma, specialising in Art Direction at the AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town in 2005, and is currently completing her BA Honours Degree. Having found her passion to teach people, she enlisted at the (then) National College of Photography to become a part-time lecturer in 2009. She’s currently a full-time Digital Photography lecturer at the Pretoria campus, and enjoys designing websites, blogging and growing fresh herbs in her spare time.
Katlego Mopharing
Katlego means “to achieve” in Setswana, and she certainly lives up to it as an ambitious small-town girl with big city dreams. She is currently completing her post-graduate studies through Vega while also working as an intern at the school. She’s a fun, energetic character, full of life and with a positive outlook, which is why she fits in perfectly with the Vega brand.
Libe Mohale
Libe joined Vega Pretoria team as an Intern Contact Navigator. He has a great attitude and is enthusiastic about Public Relations, Corporate Social Investment and Communications.
With a flair for seeing the bright side of everything, especially his own personality, Libe loves being at the centre of attention. He represents Part-Time branding and digital Short Learning Programs at the Vega Pretoria Campus. He is busy with his post-graduate studies with Tshwane University of Technology and aims to achieve a Masters Degree.
Luana Louw
As a vibrant young lady, Luana has a passion for people and making a difference in the world. Her biggest advantage is that she’s in touch with her clients and can relate to the way that they see the world. She is busy with her BA Degree in Applied Psychology through Unisa, and hopes to eventually use this to some extent in her everyday working context. As a Contact Navigator, her fulfilment in her role comes from lighting up young adults’ hearts, bringing them to the realisation of working towards doing what they love, and then navigating them onto the right path towards being the brightest star they can be.
Mia Grundlingh
Mia is a graduate from the University of Pretoria with a BA Degree specialising in Visual Studies.
Her role as Contact Navigator gives an outlet to her passion for Visual Art, Film, contemporary design and Pop-culture. With the ‘soul of an artist’, Mia strongly believes and promotes the notion that through passion, some of the best careers are created. She combines her enthusiasm and drive to navigate students towards their first step of completing their goals and aspirations whilst pursuing the idea of making your experience with Vega a magical one.
Raymond Moidi
After completing her studies through College Campus, Raymond was appointed as Desktop Support for the Vega Pretoria campus. Considering himself to be an extrovert, he had no problem fitting into the crazy zoo at this campus. He comes from a very established family, and still upholds the morals that have been engraved into him since he was young. He believes in enjoying life to the full, and working hard.
Refiloe MosikidiRefiloe brightens up the frontline position at the Pretoria campus. With a love for people and the communications industry, this position fits her like a glove. Her smile is infectious, and her enthusiasm is demonstrated in every little detail of her daily tasks. She enjoys a challenge and is excited by the opportunity to grow as a member of the team, the campus and the Vega brand.
Rodney MudalyRodney Mudaly is the Academic Co-Navigator of the Pretoria Campus. Rodney has worked across a variety of industries, but has not been able to escape his first love: education. He is passionate about raising standards and making a difference in the lives of both students and staff. Born in Durban with a desire to travel, he went to the United Kingdom to experience a different culture and approach to education. His desire to share his experiences meant that after 11 years he needed to return to his homeland and an exciting academic environment.
Being a teacher at heart, he firmly believes that, “The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.” Kahlil Gibran
Samantha Jansen van VuurenSamantha enjoys the fact that she is alive and inspired. She is a creative nerd that sees the creative world in the details of academia. The world itself is her muse. Samantha received her BDram (Hons) from Stellenbosch University, specializing in Performance Art and Physical Theatre. She loves Fine Art, and has spent time in an Art Gallery as an assistant. Keeping up with this passion she still acts as an Artist Agent, writing about the respective artists and their works.
Samantha says that she is invigorated by the Vega environment and she lectures passionately about the passions in her life – creativity and academia.
When Samantha is not at Vega you can find her making jewelry, sewing or singing while she cooks. Her lifestyle makes her a very happy young lady.
Sylna Neuland
“If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.” Sylna is a conceptualist who lives branding and has done so ever since she finished her studies at Vega in 2000. “Branding gives you the opportunity to explore new ideas and ways of doing things because if you can think it, it will happen.” With a background in law she brings a dose of analytical thinking to the mix, but not so much that it becomes boring.
Vanessa Wolmarans
With excellent administrative skills and a love for working with students, Vanessa fills a most important part of the daily operations as Student Relationship Navigator of the Pretoria campus. Her strong motherly instinct and the wisdom with which she tackles her student relationships have not only earned her students’ endearment, but also their respect.