Creative 3D doll design bags the Rado Star Prize for UJ student

"I never in my wildest dreams expected the recognition I have received for a project that was completed at only university level," she says

Her Mbari Dolls project scooped the prestigious prize awarded by the Swiss watch brand in December 2014. The project, completed during her fourth year at UJ, enables the children to make their own toys using a two-part mould distributed in mielie-meal bags and constructed from paper mache.

The Rado Star South Africa competition gave young designers the opportunity to gain exposure and compete with other local designers. "The department makes every effort to select and enter appropriate national and international design competitions that speak to academics. This enhances our reputation as the leading institution for Industrial Design education in South Africa," says Chris Bradnum, the school's Head of Department.

After hearing about the competition on the faculty's Facebook page, Monsanto tried her luck and entered a 'socially and environmentally responsible' BTech Industrial Design project. Rado CEO and member of the Rado Star Prize South Africa 2014 jury, Matthias Breschen said that Monsanto's design inspired them because of its innovation and ability to benefit the lives of others.

Now a UJ alumna, Monsanto believes that UJ excels at producing creative graduates. "This has been a wonderful and surreal moment in my design career. The opportunities have been endless. I will cherish this forever." Going forward she is looking at developing the project for market. Part of the prize consisted of R100,000 prize money to assist her to develop her design further.