The Co-Operative Education Unit of the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) recently hosted a WIL Indaba at Granger Bay Campus, bringing industry partners into the ongoing discussions surrounding WIL at CPUT.

Luvuyo Kakaza, Manager: Cooperative Education Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, said the Indaba serves as a strategic platform for engagement between CPUT and industry partners who host students for WIL placements and graduate internship opportunities. Kakaza noted: “The platform enables the University to obtain valuable insights into the successes, developmental challenges, and areas for improvement identified by employers regarding the preparedness and performance of CPUT students in the workplace.”

He said the primary objective of the WIL Indaba was to bring industry partners into the ongoing discussions surrounding WIL at CPUT. Kakaza said the event provided an opportunity for the University to share current developments, initiatives, and strategic priorities relating to WIL from an academic perspective.

Dr Xena Cupido: Director of the Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development (Fundani CHED), welcomed the representatives from industry, business, government, professional bodies, sector organisations and the broader community. “Your presence matters greatly. You are not simply visitors to the university, nor are you only hosts who provide workplace placements. You are partners in the education of our students. You help us understand the changing workplace, the competencies that are becoming more important, and the ways in which technological, social, environmental and economic changes are reshaping different professions.

“You also provide our students with something that cannot be fully reproduced in a classroom: the opportunity to enter a professional environment, work with others, solve authentic problems, make decisions, learn from mistakes and begin seeing themselves as emerging professionals.”

Dr Fundiswa Nofemela, Director: Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning (CE&WIL), said the employer engagement is the bridge between what “we teach and what the world of work requires”. “Our objectives for this Indaba are straightforward and urgent. First, we must assess supply-side alignment to evaluate how well our programmes and curricula prepare graduates with the capabilities

employers expect. Second, we must share updates on recent WIL developments and surface the challenges that are limiting impact. These two tasks will guide our conversation and shape the actions we take after today,” Nofemela noted.

Reflecting on the event, Kakaza said it attracted strong representation from a diverse range of industries that host and employ CPUT students. He said the discussions were insightful and highlighted several important considerations that warrant ongoing attention from the University.

“A key message emerging from the engagements was the importance of ensuring that academic programmes remain aligned with industry needs and expectations. Participants emphasised that the effectiveness of WIL is dependent on the extent to which curriculum design and programme delivery respond to current industry realities and contribute meaningfully to workforce development,” Kakaza observed.

Nofemela added that they were expecting three core outcomes from strong employer engagement. “First, a stronger alignment between graduate attributes and employer needs so that our graduates are both competent and employable. Second, increased student access to workplace experience and clearer career pathways that reduce the gap between study and meaningful employment. Third, clearer, actionable responses to WIL challenges that improve collaboration with employers and strengthen the quality of placements.”

Kakaza said all stakeholders in the WIL ecosystem must realise that “we should not only focus on shaping professional knowledge acquired when developing a student, but we should also focus on the soft skills that are required for the professional to succeed at work and become a contributing member of the organisation and the economy”.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Seven third-year Visual Arts Education Technology students from the Faculty of Education, Mowbray Campus, led by Arts / Visual Arts Education Lecturer Dr Siphesihle Biyela, brought colour, creativity, and confidence by hosting Vision Child & Youth Care Centre children and offering them art classes recently.

The initiative aimed to provide children aged six to 19 with the opportunity to explore art while offering student facilitators valuable experience in teaching and community engagement. The team of facilitators, which included Sisipho Ngayeka, Ahlume Mjana, Maryam Abrahams, Yanda Mvandaba, Naledi Peter, Jada Lodewyks, and Ibtesaam October, guided the children through various projects in collage, painting, drawing, and oil pastel techniques. Each session was carefully planned to balance enjoyment, skill development, and self-expression.

The children explored different art techniques such as stippling, which added an element of texture, and they learnt about the importance of taking care of the environment by using recycled materials in making art. “A way to save the world while celebrating what comes from the world around us,” said Biyela.

She continued: “From the very first day, the children’s enthusiasm grew as they discovered new ways to express themselves. One facilitator reflected:

“It was heartwarming to see them go from saying ‘I can’t’ to producing full-blown beautiful art pieces made with love and confidence.”

Biyela said the students noted how the programme revealed the importance of encouragement and that the children became more engaged and confident when they’re praised rather than corrected, and that the process of creating is often more important than the final product.

She said the children themselves echoed this joy, and a nine-year-old child was thankful for a lovely time and really enjoyed it.

Biyela added that a seventeen-year-old who did a collage and a painting and enjoyed both, and she enjoyed using the oil pastels, but everything else was also fun. The collaboration was made possible through communication between Biyela and Vision

Child and Youth Care Centre, who welcomed the initiative with open arms. In a letter of thanks, the Centre’s management wrote:

“We are truly thankful for your kindness, support, and for creating a space where our children and youth could express their creativity, share their talents, and be part of such a meaningful experience. Your encouragement and dedication have made a positive impact and brought joy and confidence to our young people.”

For the student facilitators, the programme was as much about personal growth as it was about teaching. Many discovered new strengths: patience, adaptability, and confidence in guiding children through creative processes.

The programme’s success has sparked ideas for future improvements, including more structured facilitator training, extended activity times, and separate sessions for different age groups. The students also envision involving parents and community members in final exhibitions to celebrate the children’s artistic achievements.

Biyela emphasised the broader impact: “Art is a form of therapy. This initiative provided children with a time of joy, focus and renewed perspective while giving the art students a chance to grow as future art educators and community leaders.”

The Vision Child & Youth Care Centre expressed hope for continued collaboration, and the students themselves voiced eagerness to participate again.

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To celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, the Civic Engagement Unit, CPUT Libraries, the Marketing and Communication Department, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences spent the day at FG Lowe Village in Hanover Park, caring for and supporting the elderly in an old-age home.

The CPUT Mandela Day team included the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, Community Engagement Student Academy Alumni, CPUT Reading Champions: Faculty of Applied Sciences, supported by the Gift of the Givers, City Park seniors and the South African Police Services. Before the event, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor called on staff and students to help them celebrate the legacy of Tata Mandela by donating books and non-perishable items. “Donating new/pre-owned books and reading materials of all genres contributes to the educational enrichment of our communities. Reusing pre-owned reading materials is also environmentally responsible as it minimises waste,” noted Jacqueline Scheepers, Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit.

The donated materials were also handed over to the FG Lowe Village staff by Scheepers, the Gift of the Givers, staff members and student volunteers.

Shanaaz Bailey from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor also shared her experience during the CPUT Mandela Day celebrations at FG Lowe Village. “We shared a truly heartwarming and memorable day with the elderly members of our community. Through storytelling, laughter, music, singing, and dancing, we celebrated the spirit of community and Ubuntu while creating meaningful moments of joy, connection, and companionship with our senior citizens. The experience highlighted the value of compassion, dignity, and human connection, reminding us of the positive impact of kindness, respect, and togetherness in enriching the lives of others.”

Dr Regina Sikhosana from CPUT Libraries said the senior citizens are the custodians of knowledge, wisdom, and experience. “They have nurtured families, built communities, and contributed to the development of our nation. The freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today are, in many ways, a result of their sacrifices and hard work. Yet, many older persons face challenges such as loneliness, social isolation, health difficulties, and limited access to resources and support.”

Sikhosana continued: “It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today as we commemorate Nelson Mandela Day, a day that reminds us of the values of

compassion, service, dignity, and social justice that Madiba dedicated his life to promoting.”

She reminded the guests that caring for older persons is not only a responsibility but a privilege. “Let us continue to advocate for their well-being, dignity, and inclusion long after Mandela Day has passed.”

Scheepers expressed that “we are all part of the human family and as such must treat each other with love, care and kindness. The generosity of spirit displayed by all present, including the CPUT staff and students and organisations who donated, is evidence of Ubuntu in action!”

The event featured an assortment of activities such as a poetry readings, games, musical interpretation, art activities, dance, and competitions which were planned and led by CPUT students.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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As part of this year’s Mandela month drive, the university is calling on staff and students to make a meaningful difference by donating books, reading materials and non-perishable items to support local communities.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, said the CPUT Mandela Day project reflects the university’s commitment to social responsibility, community engagement, and the values embodied by Nelson Mandela.

“By donating books and non-perishable items, staff and students contribute to promoting literacy, supporting educational development, and helping to combat poverty and inequality in local communities. The initiative also encourages environmental sustainability through the reuse of quality reading materials, demonstrating how collective action can create a meaningful and lasting impact beyond the university.”

This year’s Mandela month theme is “It is still in your hands to combat poverty and inequity”.

The organisers encourage donors to ensure that all items are in good condition.

Donation points will be available at all CPUT campus libraries from 14 to 23 July 2026, where all contributions will be recorded and acknowledged.

The collected donations will be distributed to FG Lowe Village on Friday, 24 July 2026, through a collaborative effort involving the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Civic Engagement Student Academy (CESA) Alumni, the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, CPUT Libraries, the Marketing and Communication Department, and the Student Reading Champions: Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT recently welcomed Dr Fundiswa Nofemela as the new Director for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning (CE&WIL).

Nofemela, who served as Director of Co-operative Education at the Mangosuthu University of Technology for the past ten years, is no stranger to CPUT.

“I started at CPUT as a Job Placement Officer and by the time I left in 2015 I was the Manager Co-operative Education, a position I had held for seven years.”

 Her first priorities as director will be building cohesion between all practitioners that implement Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning across the six faculties. 

“The role of CE&WIL is to support Teaching and Learning with respect to Service-Learning and Work-based Learning through programs that help students develop generic skills, values, graduate attributes and entrepreneurship attributes, particularly as the university prepares students for the future world of work. As a centre that is at the forefront of providing strategic direction and leadership for community and industry partnerships, I see the centre helping the university to develop and strengthen collaborations with external stakeholders, both nationally and internationally.” 

She also serves as General Secretary for the Southern African Society for Co-operative Education (SASCE) as well as the World Association for Co-operative Education (WACE) liaison for Africa. 

 She has the following message for the CPUT community: “Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning are not just educational programmes; they are also transformation imperatives as they help students to develop into well-rounded graduates with personal attributes towards the world of work, industry as well as society. Our Service-Learning and Civic Engagement projects are aligned with the Sustainable Development goals. Thus, it is critical for the university to strengthen these programmes and for all members of the university community to participate, especially in Service-Learning and Civic Engagement.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Co-operative Education Unit at the Centre for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning recently had the inspiring opportunity to connect and empower participants at the I Am Woman 2025 AEDF ORTSA Women’s Conference, themed “I Am Woman – Fueling Her Journey”.

The conference, which was held at Metropolitan Offices, Bellville, celebrated women of remarkable strength and resilience across various career landscapes in South Africa. David Haarhoff, team member within the Co-operative Education Unit, says: “I will cross any ocean if it means an opportunity to develop our students and impact on their professional journey. When we were invited to showcase some of the aspiring female fashion designers, we immediately reached out to the relevant department to put us in touch with students.

“We have an obligation, I believe, to connect and inspire our students; these experiences are essentially what sets our students apart from the rest of the pack. Students were also able to network with some very powerful businesswomen and industry executives.”  

The young designers, Matsatsi Raboroko, Sandiswa Mkhonto, and Dopsy Nkomo, together with their models, did not disappoint at all; they showed up.

Dr Maphole Loke, Principal Researcher at Sustainable Heritage Research Unit, graced the event with her presence. Loke shared her powerful story, breaking barriers within a male-dominating industry. Her resilient personality inspired so many women at the conference and encouraged them to push forward, irrespective of the challenges faced.

Rumarcques Olyn, Co-operative Education team member, says listening to the inspirational stories shared by the panellists was truly intriguing and deeply moving, adding that their journeys highlighted not only resilience and determination, but also the power of creating platforms where women’s voices can be heard and celebrated. “For me, it made all the behind-the-scenes effort of supporting the students and helping bring these opportunities to life incredibly fulfilling. Seeing our students connect with such role models reinforces why initiatives like these are so important for their growth and development.”

The unit acknowledged the collaborative opportunities of this nature and appreciated ORT SA and Astron Energy Development Fund for opening a door for the students.

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The Centre for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning’s Co-operative Education Unit recently collaborated with ORT SA and The Astron Energy Development Fund (AEDF) in hosting the Youth Venture Creation Programme with students across the university community.

The training programme is aimed at equipping young people with the necessary business skills required to start or to grow their businesses. The vigorous training programme commenced on 15 May 2025 and ended on 31 July 2025. During this period, students were exposed to “practical training” by Christopher Dickie from ORT SA, an experienced facilitator and mentor.

The programme included various aspects such as community needs analysis, designing a business model, sales, marketing, financial management and designing a business plan. Students were required to be actively involved by attending sessions and submitting various assignments aligned to the course offering.

“Collaborating with external partners for the benefit of students has become more prevalent in society today as there is a required need to do so to impact our socio-economic circumstances. Programmes of this nature also serve as an alternative to the normal work readiness initiatives offered.” says David Haarhoff, Project Lead from the Co-operative Education Unit.

The programme, which was made possible through the funder, The Astron Energy Development Fund, sought to impact small businesses across the South African landscape with meaningful change in mind, with particular focus on disadvantaged groups and enhancing business skills.

Haarhoff says “Both ORT SA and Astron Energy Development Fund have shown keen interest in the development of our students and enhancing their business skills during the course. The level of professionalism by both ORT SA and Astron Energy Development Fund is worth noting”

At the end of the programme, students were afforded an opportunity to take part in a business ideation pitch competition, which took place on 1 August 2025.

The winners were:

1. Mpho Magadla, 3^rd year Entrepreneurship and Business Management (R10 000)
2. Itumeleng Maganedisa, 3^rd year Medical Laboratory Science (R7000)
3. Nathan Gertse, 3^rd year Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Business Management (R3000)
4. Reitumetse Moholo, 3^rd year Diploma in Entrepreneurship and business Management (R3000)

“History has been made in that this was the biggest cohort two group who completed the programme, and we are immensely grateful for all the effort by ORT SA and The Astron Energy Fund Development Fund,” said Haarhoff.

“Seeing students not being afraid to take on more than just the daily challenges of completing their studies but being inspired to start businesses that can change not only their own lives and those of their families, but also positively impact the communities they wish to serve, was truly remarkable. It is encouraging to witness this kind of vision and courage at such an early stage in their journeys. My thanks goes to ORT SA and Astron for the meaningful work they are doing to create these opportunities for our students” says Rumarcques Olyn, Co-operative Education team member.

Luvuyo Kakaza, Manager: Co-operative Education says “The current economy in South Africa requires universities to reassess the purpose of education. Universities have, for many years, focused on training employees who are responsive to the needs of society. Entrepreneurship has been viewed as a less rewarding occupation, riddled with risk and uncertainty. Universities now need to recognise and emphasise that new jobs in the market will come from a thriving and vibrant entrepreneurship landscape, where universities are graduating job creators rather than job seekers”

The winner of the competition Mpho Magadla says “attending this highly insightful programme and competition left me with practical tools. The programme emphasised the importance of innovation, strategic planning and adapting to the current market changes. I learned valuable lessons about identifying customer needs, building strong networks and using digital platforms effectively to grow a business. One key takeaway was that success is not just about having a great idea, but about execution, consistency and resilience. Overall, the programme and competition provided clarity, new perspective and actionable steps I can apply to my own business journey”

Itumeleng Maganedisa, the runner-up of the competition says “Taking part in the competition has been such a humbling and empowering experience. Being able to stand alongside other incredible innovators reminded me why I started Eleanora and why I believe in my ideas so deeply. The process challenged me to think bigger, sharpen my vision, and step out of my comfort zone. This is the beginning where medical precision meets everyday self-care and confirmation that the pain I go through cannot be compared to the glory I’ll receive”

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Recently, CPUT had the opportunity to engage in a meaningful week-long workshop hosted by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Community Engagement in the Southern Africa Region (CESAR).

It was a valuable experience that brought together individuals committed to fostering collaboration and community support in the region. Heike Heinen-Kritz, Senior Desk Officer for Higher Education Partnerships in Development Cooperation at DAAD, provided an overview of DAAD programmes in the Southern Africa region. Martin Kühn from FUAS led a session on transdisciplinary project feedback and interuniversity cooperation related to project deliverables. Delegates from NUST and Jacqui Scheepers, the CPUT CESAR project lead, shared their SDG Service-Learning projects and partnerships, which received positive feedback from DAAD.

CPUT builds on its existing partnerships with the City of Cape Town and the Robben Island Museum to implement Service-Learning projects across various academic disciplines. Toni Stringer, a CESAR team member and Head of the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, expressed that CESAR provides multiple opportunities for internationalisation and the establishment of sustainable partnerships for her department that extend beyond the project’s scope.

David Haarhoff, project support, said: “Our students will benefit from the experiential experiences of the CESAR Service-Learning projects. The holistic context provided by Heinen-Kritz of projects in the Southern Africa region and its impact shows DAAD’s commitment toward Southern Africa.”

Further engagements included the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which emphasised the importance of various projects and Namibia's commitment to providing support for the mining and energy sectors. The Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships (DRIP) at NUST, along with the Department of Co-operative Education, highlighted the critical need for international collaboration and discussed the impact of their respective directorates. Additionally, a World Café session on the dissemination of research outputs was facilitated by Jacques Korrubel, a member of the NUST team.

Project team member Prof. Marco Adonis, Head of the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computing Engineering, reflected on the project by highlighting the Khomanin Traditional Authority, where the youth council delivered a lively and emotive plan for their community interventions. The youth council presented plans for a poultry farm, a clinic, a police station, and a guest lodge. Adonis said the living labs implementation plan for Farm! Kharoxas was clear and practical, and the young voices were bold, affirmative, and empowering. Scheepers reflected that the inclusion of youth engagement and community voices in community projects is important for the sustainability and ownership of projects.

The engagement emphasized the crucial importance of community partnerships, and the role universities play in this context. The Khomanin Traditional Authority expressed their sincere gratitude for the work done by NUST through the current seed living lab focused on renewable energy and community development, which is helping to provide electrification to households.

Walter Kohlhofer, the Chief Executive and Work-Integrated Learning Faculty Coordinator for Engineering and the Built Environment, presented a model for establishing a FABLAB at CPUT. Scheepers and Paulus Shigwedha from NUST provided an overview of the Entrepreneurship Venture Builder (EVB), a grant awarded by the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa and CPUT to create a South African EVB. Both are trained mentors for the EVB at their respective institutions. The EVB, hosted by the Centre for Business Innovation and Incubation at CPUT, contributes to the broader tech ecosystem for universities of technology. Team member Prof. Dr Dirk Müller from FUAS shared lessons learnt about the impact of social entrepreneurship and the sustainable livelihood opportunities aligned with various projects.

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NPO’s, government representatives, civic organisations and members of the CPUT community met recently to share and discuss their ideas on collaboration at the annual Service-Learning Partnership Summit.

Breaking new ground, the summit introduced a methology that encouraged free thinking and discussion between the participants under the theme Collaboration across Boundaries for Sustainable Development.

Held at the Granger Bay campus the summit allowed members of all sectors to engage with critical issues on collaboration within their partnerships.

Delivering the welcoming address, CPUT’s Director of Research, Dr Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi, highlighted various aspects of the summit and the importance of collaboration.

She added that there were four major objectives with the summit, namely to create a platform for discussion, generate possibility and potential across areas of research, engage with those with different expertise and gain knowledge and understanding about each other’s needs and expectations.

Speaking of the importance of the day’s events, Service-Learning Unit Manager, Jacqui Scheepers, says that the World Café methodology – as introduced and led by facilitator Doug Reeler from the Community Development Resource Association (CDRA) – has proven to be very successful.

“The new methodology has allowed for a level playing field, where everyone can discuss as equals. The opportunity allowed for all role-players to discuss their expectations and their challenges. The summit has contributed towards a further understanding of partnerships between diverse stakeholders and has encouraged the development of partnerships including the identification of collaborative research initiatives,” concluded Jacqui.

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“To develop and sustain an empowering environment where, through teaching, learning and scholarship students and staff, in partnership with the community and industry, are able to create and apply knowledge that contributes to development.”

This is the motto CPUT prides itself in, and a group of third-year Radiography students recently did well to uphold this noble vision.

Several safe houses in and around Cape Town now boast a cleaner and more efficient working environment thanks to a group of 42 third-year Radiography students who recently visited the various organisations during a community outreach project, as part of their civic engagement responsibilities.

Radiography lecturer, Saaiga Ismail, said the project formed part of the students’ syllabus for the subject, Radiography Management.

She said the aim of the assignment was for the students to learn planning skills, team work and through exposure to the plight of others, realise how many people were in desperate need of assistance.

“Every year the project becomes more satisfactory. It’s a wonderful initiative form CPUT and enables the students to be exposed to the different side of the patients they come into contact with daily. One can already see the growth and maturity in the work they produce.”

Saaiga explained that students were divided into seven groups and were all required to choose an organisation within Cape Town. The task was to identify areas where they could lend a helping hand, either through doing refurbishments, giving donations or conducting workshops.

However for students, Qaanita Isaacs and Lindi de Vos, this project meant more than just scoring good marks for their report. They spent three weeks uplifting children at the Masiphumelele Educare in Fishhoek in the process.

“At first we didn’t understand how the project was relevant to our course, but after being exposed to their living conditions, we forgot about our problems and concentrated on theirs. It was a humbling experience and definitely felt good to give back,” they said.

Another pair that enjoyed giving back to the community were Chulumanco Majola and Tahnee Stoffels, who donated books, clothes, perishables and stationery to the Solomon’s Haven in Mitchells Plain. They also painted the floors and designed new information boards for the premises.

“It was an eye-opening experience and made us more appreciative of what we have. Working with these abandoned children also made us more passionate about our work as radiographers.”

By: Sonia Koopman

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Grade R learners from WD Hendricks Primary School are set to go down in the school’s history books thanks to CPUT Clothing Management students.

The learners will be graduating in custom-made graduation gowns, made by students from the Bellville campus.

Up until now, the school, which is based in the impoverished Factreton community, has been unable to purchase the necessary garments for their annual Grade R graduation ceremony.

The initiative came about after Dr Elspa Hovgaard, head of the Clothing and Textile Technology Department and member of the Pinelands Rotary Club saw the possibilities of teaming up the two institutions in order to address the school’s need. Earlier this year the school submitted a ‘wish list’ to the club, identifying its need for graduation gowns.

Hovgaard immediately identified it as a viable opportunity for second-year students following the extended curriculum programme, to come on board and hone their manufacturing skills. With the club willing to sponsor the necessary materials for the garments, the plan was soon put into action.

As part of the initiative, the Grade R class visited the Clothing Management department earlier this month where they were each fitted for their gowns, which will be manufactured over the next few weeks.

Hovgaard said they are looking at extending the programme with the school. 

“In the future we would like to see if we can produce other garments on their wish list,” she said.

Grade R teacher Dorothy Gilbert said teachers, parents and learners are looking forward to the graduation, scheduled for November.

“The graduation gowns will add that special touch to the ceremony,” she said.

By Candes Keating

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For the first time in CPUT’s history, the institution hosted 235 primary school learners for an educational campus tour in early August. Staff members of eight departments namely - Marketing; Jewellery, Fashion, Industrial and Graphic Design; Somatology; Environmental Health and Management; Food Technology; Civil Engineering; Horticulture and Analytical Chemistry - on both the Cape Town and Bellville campuses, welcomed Grade 6 and 7 learners from the Sun Valley Primary School, Fish Hoek into their lecture rooms and laboratories.

During the visit, learners were exposed to the different teaching environments of the various departments and were given an overview of each course. Student Recruitment Officer in the Marketing and Communication Department, Thandokazi Mtshekisa, said this new initiative serves as a great starting point for CPUT to target younger learners and possibly influence their choice of a tertiary institution and career path. 

“This is the first time that CPUT hosted a primary school for a campus visit and it is definitely the start of many more. I believe that it will motivate them to make an educated and more informed decision when they eventually start thinking of career options. We also wish to instill the value of higher education at an early age.”

Food and Technology lecturer at the Bellville campus, Anthony Obilana, was one of many staff members who welcomed this new initiative.

“I was very impressed with the learners’ enthusiasm. They seemed really keen to learn more about the course and also interacted very well with the staff. I think it is important that children get this kind of exposure from a young age.”

The Grade 6 learners have enjoyed a practical in the Food Technology lab on the Bellville campus.

Dean of the Informatics and Design Faculty, Professor Johannes Cronje said campus tours, such as these, serve as a great way to market the Faculty and the Institution.

“The learners showed much interest in the courses. They were very inquisitive and asked a lot of questions. As a faculty, we encourage learners to come and visit to see what we have to offer and how our students work within our environments,” he said.

The school’s Grade 6 and 7 Head, Allison Nuttall, who accompanied the learners on the tour said: “The girls especially enjoyed visiting the Civil Engineering, Horticulture and Food Technology departments, which helped them realise they have other career options.”

One learner, who particularly enjoyed the tour, was Grade Seven learner, Jaimie Kruyer. She said although she is still undecided about her future career path, the visit to CPUT helped her to realise more options.

“It was a really good educational experience. I learnt a lot about all the different courses, especially within the Technology sector, which I never knew one could study for. It was a lot of fun,” she enthused.

By: Sonia Koopman

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It’s a sad fact that more money is spent on upgrading rugby fields at urban schools than is spent on all the educational needs of most children in rural areas. This neglect of South Africa’s rural poor has prompted CPUT’s Education Faculty and African stationery giant Waltons to join forces. While this budding partnership is still in its infancy, it has already resulted in every child in two of the poorest schools in the province receiving all the stationery they need to make learning possible and fun.

Director of Waltons, Elizabeth Arulappen, says as the largest stationery supplier on the continent, Waltons is fully aware of the importance of education for the future good of South Africa. Speaking to the excited children at Nondzame Primary in Pniel and Bergrivier Primary in Wellington, Arupallen said, “We are a wonderful and generous nation, of many different cultures and beliefs, but we all agree on one thing. That is the importance of a good education for all people."

Each child received a “toolbox” of stationery worth R300, packed with all the essential goods such as staplers, scissors, pencils, and crayons that most schoolchildren take for granted.

Professor and Head of Department of Research in the Faculty of Education, Rajendra Chetty, was delighted that Waltons had given of their resources so willingly. “Poor rural children in every province across South Africa are being marginalised, said Chetty. “It’s about poverty, not politics. If you’re poor, you don’t have a voice, and if you don’t have a voice, you’re easy to marginalise. It’s our assertion that the state is abdicating their responsibility and failing to protect the right to a primary education for children living in rural areas.”

The success of this year’s alliance with Waltons has fired up the Education Faculty to expand their collaboration. Plans are now afoot to partner with Waltons to provide 10 of the provinces' poorest schools with their stationery needs next year. But, says Chetty, the state must still be mindful of their duty to all South Africa’s learners. “Some of these children attend schools without electricity, drinking water, sanitation, suitable buildings or adequate learning materials. While we have policies that recognise education for all and are aimed at addressing the needs of the poorest schools in South Africa, a great deal remains to be done.”

by Jan Weintrob

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A group of CPUT students are on a crusade to provide shoes for children living in a foster home in the Du Noon community.

The Shoes Fundraising Project is an initiative of the Anglican Society (ANSOC), a CPUT student group that runs a number of community outreach programmes during the academic year.

ANSOC chairperson Vuyisani Ludidi says the group initially raised money for the home, but during a recent visit identified the need for shoes.

“We found a dire situation in which we felt that our token of support would never be enough. We then resolved to withhold the money we had raised and instead agreed to raise more so that we can at least buy shoes for all the children living in the foster home,” he says.

Vuyisani says the children are forced to share shoes that are in a bad condition.

The home’s caretaker, 64-year-old Nonhlanhla Mntungwa, says she is grateful for the support offered by the CPUT students.

To donate to the home please contact ANSOC on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sharing Abundant Life Together, a local NGO supporting the home on 021 557 3948.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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CPUT students are changing communities for the good, one Service- Learning Project at a time.

From running gender violence awareness programmes to building sustainable houses, this year, students and academic staff participated in numerous Service-Learning projects across all faculties along with government departments, industry partners and community organisations.

The success of these projects was showcased at the Service-Learning Open Day and Awards held on the Bellville Campus.

TEAMWORK: Members of the Samora Machel community attended the event, along with representatives from the City of Cape Town

Through these projects, students are given an opportunity to experience learning outside of the classroom setting whilst using their skills to address a need in a community.

And the impact of these projects is far-reaching.

This year Environmental Health students educated 400 households in the Samora Machel community through a door-to-door Environmental Awareness Campaign they developed for the City of Cape Town.

DESIGN: Surface Design students created canvasses based on their experiences at Robben Island as part of a Service-Learning Project.

Zanele Figlan, a representative of the City of Cape Town says without CPUT’s assistance they would never have reached so many households.

Human Resource students made their mark on several communities by lending a hand to non-profit organisations, while Emergency Medical Science students embarked on projects with the South Africa Police Services and the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre.

In Khayeltisha students are working on a multidisciplinary sustainable housing project that will continue into next year. This project is a collaboration between the Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Departments.

DOING GOOD: Human Resource students exhibited their array of projects

Manager of the Service- Learning Unit, Jacqueline Scheepers commended students, staff and the various partners for participating in these projects, which teaches students about the importance of giving to others, whilst strengthening and reinforcing their disciplinary knowledge.

Scheepers says they are looking forward to strengthening ties with government departments and communities as they embark on several new projects in 2014.

The following Service- Learning Projects received awards:

Most innovative project – Multidisciplinary Sustainable Housing Project (Tony Florence: Envirochoice Project Management and lecturers- Desmond Jackson: Architectural Technology and Eric Simpeh: Construction Management and Quantity Surveying)

Most Effective partnership – City of Cape Town: Environmental Health (Lecturer: Louella Daries)

Most outstanding project – Human Resource Department (Lecturer: Mandy Mavuso)

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Determined to be a beam of hope for the nation, education students are preparing to host a car show at the Bellville campus to raise funds to buy school uniforms for disadvantaged learners.

The Community Development Association (CDA), a student-led community outreach organization attached to the CPUT Education Department, together with SSJ Concepts, will hold the event on the sports grounds on Saturday and it will feature competitions such as a show and shine, park-off, rev-off and sound-off.

Several prizes will be up for grabs and there will be food stalls for the convenience of everyone at the show.

The event was conceived after noticing many students at Bonnievale Primary School with no uniforms. The school is situated in Happy Valley, a poverty-stricken area with a high rate of unemployment.

“By supplying uniforms to the learners, we believe that this will not only clothe them but also give them the confidence to perform well academically,” says organiser Ruth Franke.

Ruth urges everyone to attend the show to show their support for the needy children.

Admission fees are R20 for adults and R10 for children.

Prizes will include CPUT goodie bags and merchandise as well as trophies.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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A group of BTech Mechanical Engineering students have put their skills to good use by assisting with the conservation of the banks of the Liesbeek River in Bishopscourt Village.

The project is an initiative of the Bishopscourt Village Residence Association and has contributed to the conservation of the area and job creating through the establishment of a nursery that propagates indigenous shrubs for planting on the river bank.

Earlier this year CPUT was approached by the association and asked to develop a greener and cost-effective solution for pumping water from the river to the nursery.

STRUCTURE: Students constructed a pump house for the hydraulic ram-pump

James Ledingham, Lorenzo Parisi, Ross Rampf and Clifford Hakimi took on the challenge as part of their BTech project and came up with an innovative solution.

The team developed a hydraulic ram-pump that relies on hydropower to pump the water into the storage tanks, which are located 20meters above river level. They also built a pump house and laid over 100meters of pipeline.

Group leader James says the nursery was previously making use of a petrol pump, which proved costly.

“We developed a prototype and ran a number of tests,” says James.

Once happy with their design, the students manufactured the hydraulic ram-pump, making use of standard parts that can be easily replaced.

CLOSER LOOK: The hydraulic ram-pump is constructed from standard parts

James says they also developed a manual that can be used by those involved in the daily running of the project.

Lorenzo says the project, which ran from March to November this year, was challenging but well worth all the effort.

“We were able to apply what we learnt in class and get insight into other aspects of engineering,” he says.

Lecturer Victoria Cain, who supervised the project along with Dr Joan Parker, says the project will continue into next year and will see the 2014 BTech class further develop aspects of the pump.

RIVER: The group at work alongside the banks of the Liesbeek River in Bishopscourt Village

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

In trying to fast-track its energy-saving Demand Side Management (DSM) project, Eskom has joined hands with the Energy Technology Unit of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) by conducting a three-week pilot study to see how much energy can be saved through the retro-fitting of energy saving lamps and other initiatives.

Eskom sponsored five million Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) to the Western Cape as a means of saving 400 MW of energy in the province and thereby reducing blackouts drastically.

Twenty students from the Electrical Engineering Department at CPUT are involved in the 1000 homes project at Flamingo Vlei in Table View. They replace conventional, incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, which consume only one-fifth of the energy normally consumed by a conventional bulb and CFLs last six times longer.

Prof Ernst Uken, Head of the Energy Technology Unit (ETU), suggested that apart from the CFLs, Eskom should look at other effective means of saving energy in homes to which Eskom agreed.“Not all energy in homes should be electricity based, you have to give other energy sources a chance, “ said Prof Uken.

Once the 1000 home project is completed, CPUT and Eskom will decide on future extensions of similar projects in the Western Cape and beyond. The Blaauwberg area has also been targeted for a similar project.

Apart from the survey, CPUT hosted the 14th International Conference on the “Domestic Use of Energy” (DUE) at the Cape Town campus. Practitioners and professionals in all fields of domestic energy were invited to examine the most recent developments in the efficient use of energy in the domestic sector.

This conference was of importance as the domestic sector’s energy demand in South Africa has risen so much and the question of electricity has become topical in the light of recent power outages in the Western Cape.

The DUE’s mission is to advance sustainable development in Southern Africa. These countries face many challenges in the electrification and the wider use of household energy.

Written by CPUT News
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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) donated bed linen to Western Cape’s fire victims in January.

The two loads of linen were handed over to Red Cross South Africa to distribute accordingly to those in need.

The linen, which includes 160 cushions, 136 blankets, 62 bedspreads, 294 flat sheets, and 130 pillowcases was availed by the institution after new linen was purchased for use by students at its various residences.

Mr. Sizwe Nduku, Head of Asset Control at the Cape Town campus, said, “In light of the recent shack fires that have ravaged many parts of Cape Town and surrounding areas, we as an institution saw it fit to contribute in whatever way we could in helping out those fire victims, hence the donation of these blankets, pillows, sheets etc. These were donated to SA Red Cross who in turn will distribute them to the affected areas.”

“This is in line with the objectives of the institution’s social responsibility programme, whose main aim is to help out the underprivileged and the poor,” he said.

Written by CPUT News
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With the government working towards eradicating the country’s sanitation backlog, the CPUT Community Water Supply and Sanitation Unit (CWSS) has been appointed to evaluate a pilot project in Cape Town.

MobiSan Technology, a dry sanitation and urine diversion stand-alone unit, which does not affect groundwater, is currently being implemented at Pooke se Bos informal settlement.

CWSS’s primary role is to evaluate the user acceptance and functioning of mobile communal sanitation facilities, using Cape Town as a case study.

The initiative was as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CWSS and Partnership Group, which includes Dutch-Consortium and the City of Cape Town that was signed on 28 July 2009.

The Dutch Consortium is made up of Lettinga Associates Foundation and Viitens Evides companies that invented the MobiSan Technology.

According to Muanda, a principal researcher at CWSS, the MobiSan is an ecological sanitation system and it does not require the use of water for flushing.

“In South Africa, as a water-scarce country, the application of MobiSan Technology may result in reduction of the use of portable water for flushing and save substantial amounts of water,” said Muanda.

Under the MoU, it was agreed that the CWSS Unit should cover the evaluation and analysis of the MobiSan pilot project and operationalise it through monitoring and the development of comprehensive guidelines for operation and maintenance.

CWSS is also responsible for research funding and management.

As from 1 April 2010, the team is going to formally start working on the project, but background research had already been completed.

“We understand that decent sanitation service is a human right, it doesn’t matter where you stay, so we’ll base our evaluation on that,” said Muanda.

Prof Alvin Lagardien, CWSS’s director, is heading a team of researchers, which comprise of Muanda, an official from the City of Cape Town and CPUT postgraduate students from the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Departments. CPUT staff members also form part of the team.

According to Muanda the government has been trying to come up with a plan on what kind of sanitation people want.

“Most of the times, people want full flush toilets but not all of them have the infrastructure, so the government has to find a way to meet them half-way,” said Muanda.

The MobiSan idea was sold by the two Dutch companies to the City of Cape Town.

The City of Cape Town was keen on the idea and allowed the two companies to pilot the project. Part of the requirements was to involve local researchers in order to determine the project’s effectiveness in a South African context.

CPUT’s CWSS Unit had to come on board and in its research findings, it will advise in favour or against the MobiSan Technology.

The Water Research Commission is funding the continuation of the project.

Muanda said: “We will also look at other technologies that were implemented and see if MobiSan meets the requirements. It’s important for us also to find out if they have a remedial plan.”

By Andiswa Dantile

Written by CPUT News
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