41 Avenue
41 Avenue is a podcast produced by the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography. This platform offers listeners an intimate exploration of the creative process through candid conversations with students and creative industry specialists. Expect open and honest dialogue with guests who share their perspectives, challenges and triumphs as they navigate the complexities of the creative life. By cultivating a space for curiosity and intellectual exchange, 41 Avenue aims to provide valuable insights into the minds of creative talents.
Episodes

Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Beyond the Brief: Crafting Stories Through Design and More with Amy Gajjar
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Join us as we chat with an eclectic, award-winning young creative, Amy Gajjar, who sees design as more than just meeting targets – it's about crafting stories that resonate for generations. Our guest, a packaging designer at Woolworths, has a sharp eye for aesthetics and a passion for concept creation, with work featured in leading digital publications like The Dieline and the World Photography Organisation. Discover how she consistently pushes boundaries and forges her own in path in the South African creative industry. Host/s: Sizwe Taele Guest/s: Amy Gajjar Film & Audio Production: Sihle James & Johnny Fassler Animator: Nico Jardim Producers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri & Kate Hilson@stellenboschacademy @adoredbyamy (photography) @sznofthewvtch (design)

Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Unpacking Emotional Story Structures with Sylvie Page
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Join us for a fascinating conversation with renowned film professor and dramaturg, Sylvie Page. A Canadian-born filmmaker now teaching in Germany, Sylvie shares her journey from art history to film production, revealing why she’s dedicated her career to understanding the emotional structure of stories. In this episode, Sylvie challenges the traditional "classic structure" of filmmaking - exposition, turning points, climax, and resolution—arguing that it often leads to superficial results. Instead, she reveals her groundbreaking research and practical approach to writing stories that resonate on a deeper level. Tune in to learn how focusing on the interplay of positive and negative emotions can unlock a more authentic and impactful narrative, transforming the way you think about storytelling. Host/s: Sizwe Taele Guest/s: Dr. Sylvie Page Film & Audio Production: Sihle James & Johnny Fassler Animator: Nico Jardim Producers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri, Jordyn Dreyer & Kate Hilson@stellenboschacademy linkedin.com/in/sylvie-pagé-62588530

Friday Jul 04, 2025
Francois Van Coke & Stellenbosch Academy: "DSK" Animated Music Video
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Francois Van Coke teamed up with Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography students for an animated music video for his personal track, "DSK." Following a successful project for Jack Parow, Van Coke enlisted the multimedia design students to animate the song, which delves into his childhood and past. Head of Multimedia Design, Wessie van der Westhuizen, spearheaded the collaboration. Van Coke guided the students, emphasising animation that matched the mood of the song. Ilandré Viljoen's surprising zombie-themed video was chosen as the winner. Her unique take interpreted "DSK" as a story of rebellion, cleverly integrating medical metaphors and even fitting a bar fight into a zombie-slaying scene! Ilandré worked for weeks on the project and was thrilled her video was selected. Host/s: Sizwe Taele Guest/s: Francois Van Coke and Ilandré Viljoen Film & Audio Production: Sihle James & Johnny Fassler Animator: Nico Jardim Producers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri & Kate Hilson Links: @stellenboschacademy @francoisvancoke

Friday Jul 04, 2025
Triennale - In conversations with: Anchi Lin
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Friday Jul 04, 2025
41 Avenue Podcast and The Stellenbosch Triennale have partnered to bring you the series, In Conversations With. In this series we sit down with some of the renowned artists whose work is currently on show at The Stellenbosch Triennale. Join us for these illuminating conversations where we talk with the artists about their works and process as well as what inspired them. “林安琪 Anchi Lin, her Atayal tribal name: Ciwas Tahos. She is a visual artist of Taiwanese Atayal/ Itaṟal and Hō-ló descent; she is based between Taipei, Taiwan, and Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. Ciwas's body-centred practice weaves the Indigenous Atayal worldview through performance, moving images, cyberspace, ceramics, and kinetic installation to claim a self-determined queer space, her work is an exploration of cultural and gender identity, using her body as a medium to trace linguistic and cultural experiences of displacement to seek out new forms of understanding.” – Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 Links: @stellenboschacademy @stellenboschtriennale @anchi.ciwas Host/s: Izak Buys Guest/s: Anchi Lin Film & Audio Production: Sihle James Film & Audio Production Assistant: Themba Mazibuko Animator: Jumpin' the Gun Producers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri, Kate Hilson & Jordyn Dreyer

Friday Jul 04, 2025
Triennale - In Conversation with William Miko
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Friday Jul 04, 2025
41 Avenue Podcast and The Stellenbosch Triennale have partnered to bring you the series, In Conversations With. In this series we sit down with some of the renowned artists whose work is currently on show at The Stellenbosch Triennale. Join us for these illuminating conversations where we talk with the artists about their works and process as well as what inspired them. “Born in Zambia,1961 in Mwense District, William Miko lives and works in Lusaka. A veteran in the field, Miko is a practicing artist and culture consultant. He received a BA in 1998, followed by an MA in 1999 from Middlesex University in the UK specializing in Fine Arts. While his early work was often inspired by dance and theatrical performance from his rural childhood, Miko’s later works are focused on movement, displacement, social, economic and political issues. Commenting on both social and cultural displacement, his pieces are visual interpretations of the factors molding present-day African society.” – Stellenbosch Triennale 2025
Host/s: Pyda Nyariri Guest/s: Willaim Miko Film & Audio Production: Sihle James Film & Audio Production Assistant: Themba Mazibuko Animator: Jumpin' the Gun Producers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri, Kate Hilson & Jordyn Dreyer

Friday Jul 04, 2025
Triennale - In Conversation with Simphiwe Buthelezi
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Friday Jul 04, 2025
41 Avenue Podcast and The Stellenbosch Triennale have partnered to bring you the series, In Conversations With. In this series we sit down with some of the renowned artists whose work is currently on show at The Stellenbosch Triennale. Join us for these illuminating conversations where we talk with the artists about their works and process as well as what inspired them. “Simphiwe Buthelezi is a South African installation artist and sculptor, who utilises traditional Zulu ‘icansi’ (hand-woven reed mats), glass beads and ‘tankrali’ (Zulu seed beads) to engage with the existential undertaking of “ukubuyela e masisweni” or “returning to the source”. Reed mats, leather, beads, metal compounds and cotton canvas are endlessly reworked, reconsidered and reshaped through her meticulous craftsmanship and the repetitive processes of cutting, folding, sewing and bonding. While the established conceptual threads of Buthelezi’s oeuvre begin in cultural dynamics and African Spirituality, her practice is grounded in a relentless exploration of materiality and form. For Buthelezi, these multifaceted, intergenerational objects are a continuation of what came before, and her practice of mending, reshaping and nurturing ‘icansi’ & ‘tankrali’ acts as not only a practical exploration but also a spiritual interrogation of material and form.” – Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 Host/s: Izak Buys Guest/s: Simphiwe Buthelezi Film & Audio Production: Sihle James Film & Audio Production Assistant: Themba Mazibuko Animator: Nico Jardim Producers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri, Kate Hilson & Jordyn Dreyer

Friday May 30, 2025
Triennale - In Conversation with Nandele Maguni
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
41 Avenue Podcast and The Stellenbosch Triennale have partnered to bring you the series, In Conversations With. In this series we sit down with some of the renowned artists whose work is currently on show at The Stellenbosch Triennale. Join us for these illuminating conversations where we talk with the artists about their works and process as well as what inspired them. Today we are in conversation with Nandele Maguni, a sound artist hailing from Mozambique. Join us we discuss Nandele’s process as well as how his home country inspires him.
Links: @stellenboschacademy @stellenboschtriennale @nandelemaguni
Host/s: Pyda Nyariri
Guest/s: Nandele Maguni
Film & Audio Production: Sihle James Film & Audio Production Assistant: Johnny Fassler
Animator: Jumpin’ the Gun
Producers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri, Kate Hilson & Jordyn Dreyer

Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Behind the Lense with Gareth Bevan, AKA, Mr G.
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
In this episode, Themba sits down with seasoned photographer and lecturer, Gareth Bevan, AKA, Mr G! Gareth shares his expertise on the art and craft of photography, offering a unique glimpse into the dynamic world of Stellenbosch Academy for Design & Photography (SADP). Gareth has a passion for visual storytelling through photography and he shares some valuable advice from his years of experience in the field, from how he got started to some of his work with students at the Academy. Whether you’re a budding photographer, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of visual storytelling, this episode offers a captivating conversation with a true master of the craft.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/vCWtNadjYWY?si=T-n3CM3MCSgSmbzpInstagram: @stellenboschacademy
Host/s: Themba MazibukoGuest/s: Gareth BevanFilm & Audio Production: Sihle JamesFilm & Audio Production Assistant: Themba MazibukoAnimator: Nico JardimProducers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri, Kate Hilson & Jordyn Dreyer

Monday Dec 02, 2024
Navigating the Mental Health Maze with Christine Bosman-Vosloo
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
University life can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. In this episode, we delve into the mental health challenges faced by students and explore practical strategies to cope. Join us as we chat with Christine Bosloo-Vosman, a seasoned educational therapist, who sheds light on the importance of mental well-being and provides invaluable insights. Discover how to recognize the signs of stress, anxiety, and depression, and learn about the various resources available to students seeking support. Whether you're a student yourself or a parent concerned about your child's mental health, this episode offers essential information and guidance to navigate these turbulent times. Tune in to learn how to navigate the mental health maze and build resilience.
Instagram: @stellenboschacademy
Host/s: Themba MazibukoGuest/s: Christine Bosman-VoslooFilm & Audio Production: Sihle JamesFilm & Audio Production Assistant: Themba MazibukoAnimator: Nico JardimProducers: Sizwe Taele, Pyda Nyariri & Kate Hilson

Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
The importance of being 'mal' with Mike Schalit
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Spontaneous combustion! This was certainly the phrase of the day in this episode. Join Kate Hilson and Mike Schalit as they explore creative practices in their field. Mike is an award winning Creative Director and has many accolades to his name including 19 Loerie Grand Prix, and 3 Cannes Grand Prix awards, just to name a few. In this episode, discover the power of storytelling, the importance of ideation and the thrill of getting lost in a bad supermarket. Learn why judging work too early can stifle creativity and how a bit of a ‘mal’ attitude lends its way to the dose of crazy that you need as a creative. Mostly this episode encourages us all to step outside of our comfort zones and to ignite our imaginations in new ways.
Host: Kate Hilson
Film & Audio Production: Sihle James
Film & Audio Production Assistant: Themba Mazibuko & Pyda Nyariri
Animator: Nico Jardim
Producers: Sizwe Taele & Kate Hilson

Stellenbosch Academy
We place our students at the centre of our teaching and learning philosophy. Our unique programmes are offered within an exceptional learning environment. Our Academic staff are highly qualified, experienced and inspirational. Students have the option to engage with a range of disciplines. We value and embrace perspectives that are multicultural and inclusive. We strive to develop individual potential so that our graduates become critical and innovative thinkers.







