By: Nhlanhla Mthembu

A student from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) won the first prize in the Gooderson Leisure Photographic competition.

First prize-winner Nolita Sinayhakh (21), is a 3rd year studying towards a Diploma in Photography and specialising in portrait and commercial photography.

Sinayhakh took a scenic snapshot of the Moyo uShaka Pier Bar

Gail Westphalt, Gooderson Leisure’s general manager, said they collaborated with the DUT Photography Department and granted the 3rd year students the access to photograph their Tropicana and Silver Sands Hotels in the Durban Beach Front and surrounding areas.

“This was the second year that Gooderson Leisure has partnered with DUT to implement this project with its third year students. We were delighted with the results this year and we really feel that most of the third year class put in a lot of effort,” Gail Added.

Sinayhakh hails from Clare Estate describes herself as being energetic, cheerful and open-minded.  She got involved in photography when a family friend emcouraged her to venture into the field.

“I love the idea of expressing ones emotions and feelings through any visual medium, so when a family friend recommended that I venture into the field of photography I became intrigued at the idea,” she said.

“When I was still young I would always be the first to be in front of the camera, and always wondered what it would be like to be behind one,” Sinayhakh added.

Nolita said her photograph simply describes the natural warmth of the sun in the city of Durban.

“I was watching the sunrise and ran down from the hotel to the Moyo pier- it was a beautiful sight to witness the natural warmth of the sun peaking in behind the pier as the waves crashed against it,” explained Sinayhakh.

Besides the photograph that won her the competition, she was also given an opportunity to shoot in the Drakensberg Gardens on behalf of the Gooderson Group.

Sinayhakh said she hopes she will produce good results again.