The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) was established on 1 January 2005 through the merger of Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon. This unification was part of a national process aimed at transforming South Africa’s higher education landscape.
Today, CPUT is the only university of technology in the Western Cape and the largest higher education institution in the region. With over 35 000 students, five campuses, three service points, and more than 70 career-focused programmes, the university plays a pivotal role in advancing education, research and innovation.
Guided by its strategic plan, Vision 2030, CPUT aims to shape its future by becoming "One Smart CPUT” – with ambitions to become the MIT of Africa. The “Oneness” focuses on our human-centricity, while the “Smartness” emphasises technological developments and innovations.
Historical Roots
CPUT’s origins can be traced back to the early 20th century and is deeply embedded in the histories of the Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon.
Cape Technikon
The former Cape Technikon evolved from the Cape Technical College, which was established in Longmarket Street in 1920. The establishment of the college followed more than ten years of petitioning by the community for the consolidation of technical courses that had been offered in various venues in Cape Town.
In the late 1960’s this institution had its status changed to a College for Advanced Technical Education and was renamed the Cape College for Advanced Technical Education. However, a decade later, the Technikons Act was promulgated and in 1976 the institution become known as the Cape Technikon and was allowed to offer degree programmes.
During the apartheid era, all educational institutions were forced to serve a specific race group. The institution offered courses for white students; however, in 1987 the makeup of the student population changed after the institution applied for and was granted permission to have the Government’s regulation lifted on the quota for black students.
The 1990s would usher in a new era for the Cape Technikon. This institution launched its new organisational structure, which featured six faculties, a new corporate identity as well as a new vision and mission statement. In 2001 the Boland and Mowbray Education Colleges were incorporated into the Cape Technikon, forming the Faculty of Education at sites in Wellington and Mowbray.
Peninsula Technikon
In 1962 the Peninsula Technical College was established to cater for the steady growth in the number of coloured apprentices in a variety of trades. Classes were conducted in Cape Town until the relocation to a site in Bellville in 1967, which today is the administrative campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
In the 1970’s the institution had its status changed to a College of Advanced Technical Education and was rebranded as the Peninsula Colleges for Advanced Technical Education. However, this name and status change was short-lived and in 1979 the college was legally established as the Peninsula Technikon.
Primarily offering education to coloured people during the apartheid era, the institution opened its doors to all races in 1987. The 1990’s also ushered in more changes for the institution, which was empowered to offer degree programmes. The year 1997 saw the restructuring of the institution’s academic programmes into the faculties of Engineering, Business and Science.
The Merger
In March 2001, the Minister of Education, Kader Asmal, announced the National Plan on Higher Education. This plan saw the merger of various higher education institutions across South Africa and the formation of universities of technology. After lengthy processes, which involved the setting up of merger task teams and a renaming process, the Minister in 2003 approved the name, Cape Peninsula University of Technology. In 2005, Cape Peninsula University of Technology was officially launched.
Vice-Chancellors
On 1 February 2006 Prof Lineo Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of the institution. From 2006 to 2013, Prof Mazwi-Tanga took on the challenge of transforming the merged institution into a dynamic, modern African institution of the future.
Dr Prins Nevhutalu was installed as the second CPUT Vice-Chancellor in 2014.
Prof Chris Nhlapo was installed as the university’s third Vice-Chancellor in 2019. He previously served as CPUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, where he guided the university’s research mandate.