(Pic by Lashika Ravjee: Nanda Soobben of CFAD; launch keynote speaker Mac Maharaj; Ravi Govender of Dept of Arts and Culture, and CFAD Advisory Chair, and Krish Moodley of CFAD)Durban’s Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design (CFAD) has been selected as an Institute of Excellence by the MAPPP Seta – one of only four institutions in South Africa to be selected for the accolade.
MAPPP Seta has bestowed this honour onto CFAD and presented them an accompanying grant. This will be used to establish an animation production studio – the first in KZN - and enhance their training programme. “We will train animators, storyboard artists, editors, voice-over artists and the like in the art of producing commercial animation, animation for cellphone downloads and for games as well as animated series and long-form animation," explains CFAD academic head Krish Moodley.
CFAD is a tertiary institution that offers training in fine art, animation (2D and 3D) and graphic design. CFAD was established in 1994 by world-renowned cartoonist, illustrator and journalist Nanda Soobben who, together with academic head Krish Moodley and a team of artists, designers and educators, have transformed the art school into a respected national industry-leader in design and animation training. They have a 98% success rate in placing their graduate students in the market place.
CFAD has an established reputation as a leader in its field and has a long history of producing dedicated and quality graduates with highly marketable skills, who work for major organisations – both locally and internationally.
“Our vision is that the studio will be a commercial unit that will dramatically enhance the training and skills of animators, which fits perfectly with CFAD's goal to establish Durban as the animation hub of the country," continues Moodley. “Being selected as an Institute of Excellence and receiving this grant is a significant achievement as it will allow CFAD to not only train the next generation of animators but also provide them real employment and career opportunities.”
A celebratory launch function was held last week at which MAPP Seta CEO Bheki Zulu formally acknowledged CFAD as an Institute of Excellence. Toni Monty from the Durban Film office congratulated CFAD on their achievement and applauded MAPP Seta; and Mac Maharaj, who gave the keynote address, spoke of the power of imagination and of the role of students in the creative industries as agents of change.
Soobben and Moodley will be attending Ficci Frames in Mumbai later this month, where they will be perusing international trends and meeting with animators, educators and industry professionals from around the world.
“In India we will make contact with successful animators for gaming and multimedia,” explained Soobben. "Also, CFAD can offer a cost effective training option for overseas students who wish to study animation, gaming and multimedia."
For more info about CFAD, contact Sasha on 031 305 2480, or visit www.cfad.co.za or http://artanddesignsa.blogspot.com/2011/02/cfad-declared-institute-of-excellence.html
CFAD have recently moved into their new home, a superb and gracious building at Cowey Road.
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