Inspiration can be found all around us. For many of us inspiration is found in books, in guidance provided by our elders, in the words of the wise or in nature around us. Four young students from Guguletu have found inspiration within themselves, and their hard work and resulting success is driving them closer to reaching their dreams at a rapid pace.

Simphiwe Sam, Thabo Ikaneng, Tshepo Phetlu and Nandiha Dayinani, all students at the College of Cape Town’s Art & Design faculty in Gugulethu, recently became celebrities in their own right when their handiwork was selected to display the art of Luke Dale-Roberts, Head Chef of La Colombe. La Colombe, located in Constantia Uitsig, was selected as the winner of the Prudential Eat Out Awards Restaurant of the Year 2009 during November this year.

When Luke conceptualized his Elements menu earlier this year, he was inspired by the elements of nature, the seasons and the senses. To ensure that diners enjoyed a truly unique sensory experience, Luke teamed up with Dr. Adriaan Landman of the College of Cape Town, to design a range of “Elements” crockery that complimented the food. Each piece was designed and hand-crafted, as part of a Gugulethu upliftment project, to have the same shape, feel and style as the food displayed.

An internship was set up in which the students and their tutor, Andile Dyalvane of IMISO Ceramics in Salt River, collaborated ideas and skills to conceptualize the unique pieces of art. Inspired by the theme, the works of art portray the skill, keen eye and attention to detail of all who participated in this project to create something unique, beautiful and inspiring. Each dish was created with a deep sense of pride, inspiration and passion for their art.

During a special lunch celebration at La Colombe on Wednesday, 02 December 2009, the students presented a set of 36 of the specially designed and hand-crafted “Forest” plates to Luke Dale-Roberts for use in the restaurant. Inspired by the success of their hard work, the students proudly conveyed their passion for a career in Ceramics. Their future plans include completing their studies and reaching the highest accolades possible within their chosen path of study, setting up their own ceramics studios and “showing the world what we can do”, and investing in their communities by sharing their skills with children in schools within the areas where they’ve grown up. Having grown up in a society that often threatened to kill their spirits, these students chose to rise above their circumstances and the pressure of those who wished to force them to take a different route in life. “We know that to reach our goals, we need to aim high all the time. Aiming for the middle is sure to mean that we will always remain only average, and that’s not what we are or want to be. We want to be the best. We want to be eagles that fly above the clouds. We want to inspire those children in our communities who believe that there is no future for them. We started small, but we think big and that is why we will continue to be successful!” they said.