At IIE-Vega Durban’s recent graduation ceremony, a total of 163 students - including 23 from IIE-Vega’s Online Centre - graduated through The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE).’ The highly anticipated celebration culminated with the signature ribbon throwing ritual - a symbolic gesture that marked the graduates’ readiness to unleash their creativity, strategic thinking and commitment to making a meaningful impact in the world.
Graduation MC Naretha Pretorius (IIE Organisational Development Manager and former IIE-Vega Durban Campus Head) addressed the graduating class: “You weren’t just here to graduate - you were here to grow, to find your voice and to make meaning. You leave with curiosity, courage and creativity. The world doesn’t just need graduates. It needs Veganites. And lucky for us - you’ve arrived.”
A highlight of the event was the IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Awards, which recognised top performing students who graduated with distinction (75% and above) across every programme and or specialisation. Eleven IIE-Vega Durban Class of 2024 students were each honoured with a Pencil Award. IIE-Vega is an educational brand of the Independent Institute of Education (The IIE).
Among the recipients was Chantél Adendorff, who received the Pencil Award for IIE Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and who was also the national top performer in her qualification. She entered IIE-Vega Durban as a 35-year-old first year student, mother to three, a dedicated wife and working to pay off her studies.
“Graduating has been on my bucket list for more than two decades and I never thought I would ever be able to do it. So, when it happened, it was like a dream come true for me. And having my mum and husband in the audience was incredibly special because it took a whole tribe of people to get me to that moment,” said Adendorff.
Her journey at IIE-Vega Durban led to many accolades including her travelling to the UK last year, where she accepted the prestigious D&AD Wooden Pencil on behalf of her team (and fellow graduates: Nicole Smith, Paige Harwood and Kiaryn Maistry) and IIE-Vega. Not only did they impress the judges with their campaign Express Your Peri-Peri, Adendorff’s portfolio also earned the Best Portfolio Award in the Graphic Design category.
Today, her IIE-Vega Pencil Award sits on her desk at Joe Public Durban where she’s a Digital Art Director.
Graduate Chantél Adendorff (centre) received the IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Award for IIE Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and was also the national top performer in her qualification. Keynote speaker and IIE-Vega Alumnus Senzo Xulu (Digital Creative Director at The Odd Number) (left) and Ally Chapman (Communication Design Lecturer at IIE-Vega Durban) (right) presented the award to Adendorff.
“It’s a tangible reminder of hard work that pays off. When I look at it, I’m reminded of every late night and every missed good night kiss and it finally feels worth it. It’s also a symbol of all the people who contributed chapters to my story – my family, my friends and my lecturers”.
Her design for passion started early: “I always wanted to create, but not just for the sake of creating – I wanted to change the world. I think design found me and not the other way around”.
Ally Chapman (Communication Design Lecturer at IIE-Vega Durban) praised Adendorff’s “unwavering passion and commitment”. “She consistently showed up – not just for herself, but for her peers, her lecturers and her community”.
Jodie Beattie, who earned the Pencil Award for IIE Bachelor of Arts in Creative Brand Communications and who was also the national top performer in her qualification, was proud of her achievement and said the Pencil Award was a symbol of her hard work that paid off.
She described her three years at IIE-Vega Durban as rewarding. “I learnt so much – about the creative process about myself and about what kind of professional I want to be. I feel like it wouldn’t have made sense if I studied anywhere else”.
She was drawn to her qualification after learning about copywriting and creative brand communication during an IIE-Vega presentation at high school. “I’ve always loved writing and public speaking. When they described what it entailed and what kind of person should take it, it felt like a perfect fit”.
Her advice to prospective students? “You must put in the time and effort but don’t let the years pass without making memories because some of the best ones will be with your friends and lecturers”.
For now, Beattie is taking a well earned break and looking for an internship while taking on small writing projects.
Graduate Jodie Beattie (centre) received the IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Award for IIE Bachelor of Arts in Creative Brand Communications and was also the national top performer in her qualification. IIE-Vega Alumnus Brandon Govender (Executive Creative Director at Joe Public Durban) (left) and Siobhan Gunning (Senior Copywriting Lecturer at IIE-Vega Durban) (right) presented the award to Beattie.
Siobhan Gunning (Senior Copywriting Lecturer at IIE-Vega Durban) described Beattie as “a punk artist of words, Batwoman with piercings, feisty and fabulous”. “She followed the first rule of success – she showed up. Every day. She wrote with passion; she pushed her craft to the limit and was brave in stretching her creativity”.
Abhay Harikasun, who received the Pencil Award for IIE Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design, said he’d been quietly hoping for the award after years of asking questions and pushing his creative limits.
“I’m very proud of my achievement. The sleepless nights paid off and the smell of that pencil was worth it all. To me, the Pencil Award means dedication to your craft, trying your best and being passionate about what you love. I didn’t know about it until our lecturer Jody Simpson told us stories about past winners and motivated us to aim high”.
After matriculating in 2019, Harikasun was drawn to digital design as the world shifted online during the Covid-19 pandemic. “IIE-Vega felt like the right fit because of its forward thinking and it aligned with where I saw myself.” Today, he works remotely for a US-based company.
Graduate Abhay Harikasun (centre) received the IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Award for IIE Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design. Paul Oxborrow (Product Manager at Slingshot-A Games Global Studio) (left) and Jody Simpson (Digital Design Senior Lecturer and Academic Head at IIE-Vega Durban) (right) presented the award to Harikasun.
His advice to future students? “Ask questions. Stay curious. Your lecturers have knowledge that can fuel your growth and their guidance made all the difference to me”.
Jody Simpson (Digital Design Senior Lecturer and Academic Head at IIE-Vega Durban) said: “From the start, Abhay stood out for his curiosity and drive to grow. What really struck me was how thoughtfully he listened, how fully he embraced that advice, and how committed he was to improving”.
IIE-Vega Durban Pencil Award Recipients:
- Iman Moodley - IIE Higher Certificate in Creative Development
- Emily Roxanne Te Water - IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Digital Marketing
- Tora Chené Keating - IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Strategic Brand Management
- Jodie Caitlin Beattie - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Creative Brand Communications
- Abhay Harikasun - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design
- Chantel Adendorff - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
- Kara Jaime Nel - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
- Kelsey Marijke Kadwell - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Brand Communication
- Liam Schultz - IIE Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Game Design and Development
- Alexia Kalamoudacos - IIE Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Strategic Brand Management
- Guy Lacy Chapman - IIE Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design Leadership