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FEATURE

TUT STUDENT PROFILE

Sizwe Mbazima (22) is a landscape designer from
Mpumalanga, Nelspruit in Msogwaba. He is currently in
his fifth year at the Tshwane University of Technology,
studying for his Postgraduate Diploma (Honours)
in Landscape Technology. He obtained his National

Diploma in Landscape Technology (Cum Laude)
in 2021, and an Advanced Diploma in Landscape
Technology in 2022. He obtained bursaries from SALI

(South African Landscapers Institute) in 2021/22 due
to his dedication and excellent work.
Sizwe Mbazima

Inspiration for choosing the career in Thembisa as part of the SALI community one can do a complete design with software
“I fell in love with landscaping before I project. “I must say it was quite an experience and present it to a client as a complete
even knew about it. Back home, I would to be involved in such projects because the design plan. I am well-adapted to the
do gardening in the neighborhood during design approach in a classroom is not the technology and I design my work with the
school holidays and from there I developed same as the design approach in the field. relevant software. However, I always start
the love and passion to create and look However, it is the same process of doing my designs on paper as a basic plan with
after a garden. When I attended my first site analysis, concept design, revisiting the sketches; this gives me joy and fun in the
landscape design class in 2018, I knew that site, and reconsidering the plan. The only designing process”. He is looking forward
I had chosen the right career path”. Sizwe difference is dealing with a client, selling your to learning more about designing software
is passionate about design and has been work and presenting to a lecturer. Therefore such as Revit and Lumion for 3D designs.
a creative-thinking candidate throughout having a field project gives a different “As much as design is a learning progress for
his study journey. “The part I really enjoy perspective about the design approach”. me, I’m looking forward to equipping myself
about landscaping is bringing out my ideas with the technology in order to improve
and solutions on paper and seeing them He adds that the design approach taught my skills in 3D and 2D design. Although
transformed into reality”, he says. in the classroom is the same as the design design resources (software/computer) have
approach in the field, although the concept recently been a struggle for me, I will not let
Goal and plan after studying and the client brief approach are not the that stand in my way”.
Not only is he a landscape designer, but same. “Since I am at research level, a designer
also an artist who does portrait drawings needs to use or follow a certain theory for The need for horticulture in the
and art deco. He has dedicated himself to the design approach to meet the design design field
guiding and mentoring upcoming landscape standards and client needs. I always approach Sizwe has a balanced approach to his work.
designers since 2019. He is also hoping to my design in a way that I would sell and “Landscape or construction design always
gain more exposure and experience within present to a client and still meet the design takes the trophy for me in my modules, but
the green industry. “I’m inspired to become principles and elements”. I manage all my work equally. For instance,
a landscape architect and a mentor in the without plants there’s no landscape designer,
green industry. I’m interested to know and A recent assignment he undertook is the therefore I always enjoy working, researching
learn what the industry has for me, especially design and section plan for a chosen site and learning about plant species. Designers
in the design and construction field since I within TUT. The concept brief was to restore need to understand horticulture, not only
enjoy being outdoors and getting my hands a degraded dam site for sustainability and for plant choice but also to learn about plant
dirty.” ecological rehabilitation where he used behavior, plant profiles and the specific
ecological theories. He then showcased his purposes of each plant species chosen for
Projects and design approach AutoCAD and photoshop skills for the design the design. My favorite plant is Plectranthus
During 2020, Sizwe was involved in a few and to present the final product. fruticosus, also known as Forest Spur flower, a
design projects and practical work in the field nice bushy shrub from the mint family. I love
through BC Landscape and Consultancy. This The use of technology in design its distinct mauve color and it’s great for mass
included the ICONYC project in Kempton Sizwe has strong design skills, both manual planting”.
Park and Benoni, the Saena Botany project design and software design (technology),
in Centurion, and maintenance work in which includes AutoCAD, SketchUp, Sizwe Mbazima
Arcadia and Thaba Tshwane. Currently, he is Photoshop and Excel Microsoft for BOQ Email: sizwe4mbazima@gmail.com
involved with the re-design of Ethafeni Park documentation. “It’s a good thing that now Contact: +27 678 128 103

Ecological restoration project nn

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