I am Avela Sisilana, a final year Architecture student and Events and Media Officer at the School of Architecture and Planning student council at Wits.

I grew up in the Eastern Cape, King Williams Town, in a village called eNgxwalane where the old has been transformed to the new architecturally and traditionally. I have witnessed and participated in some interesting sporting events and talents. Unfortunately, the talents I have noticed never had the best conducive environments to grow and thrive, and coming from a more privileged home, I had a desire to be a helping hand, and that’s what led me to Architecture. I came into architecture because I wanted to learn how to design these spaces, how to understand what people need, and how to understand context for design, and through the events and businesses I have opened, I explore this very thing.

I lead multiple initiatives focused on community, creativity, and the growth of young Black talent. As President of Avitality, I’m building a platform committed to uniting, developing, and inspiring youth through Architecture, sport, and storytelling.I serve as Creative Director of Avitality Sportswear, where we tell our stories through sportswear design and movement. I also run The MoversClub, our nonprofit branch, which houses the Movers Running Club and Motions Touchies, two programs that grow brotherhood and leadership through sport.

Upon graduating, I plan on adding Avitecture, the Architecture Wing, to the group to complete the family and move intentionally with the VisionAveography, a visual creative agency, I manage a small creative team focused on producing honest, high-quality visual storytelling and finding more talent that can grow through our work and relationships.Across all these roles, I’m deeply involved in shaping vision, building systems, and creating spaces where others can lead too.

A Community Architect