On 9 April CPUT will be bestowing an Honorary Doctorate on its former Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Anthony Staak in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

Staak retired in 2018 after dedicating 37 years of his career to advancing Higher Education in South Africa. He played a crucial role in integrating technology into the core operations of CPUT.

The sector has not been robbed of his immense talent though – the Minister of Higher Education recently sought Staak out to be an independent assessor at Mangosuthu University of Technology.

Staak states that today's higher education challenges are similar to those he encountered as DVC, and a leader on various boards and oversight bodies. He says much of the governance concerns at universities are a result of university Council’s not fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities.

“Increased student enrolment in the face of funding constraints and infrastructure deficits, ongoing student protests along with declining throughput rates are not new issues. These challenges only appear to be much greater now,” he says.

But the seasoned academic says good work is being done and that there is much to be positive about.

The 69-year-old has overseen the graduation of thousands of students and encouraged young people not to consider this day as the end of their education journey but rather as one milestone in a lifetime of future goals and ambitions.

“The extent to which you will attain these goals and realise your ambitions, will depend crucially on the choices that you make. Your successes in life will be a product of those choices, as well as the conviction and hard work you are prepared to commit to those choices,” he says.

“Stay true to your morals and values that are aligned with your goals. You have the power to influence your life through the choices that you make.”

Staak’s legacy still looms large at CPUT. He joined the then Peninsula Technikon in 1982 when he assumed the position of Head of Department in Electrical Engineering. After serving a period as Dean of Engineering, he was appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, a position he held for 17 years until his retirement.

The Lansdowne-born Staak was always a remarkable student and academic, from his school career at South Peninsula High School where he received a top 10 position in the National Senior Certificate (Matric) examinations in 1973, to receiving a first-class honours with distinctions in Physics and Mathematics in his BSc Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town.

Staak has been a recipient of both Rhodes and Fullbright Scholarships which saw him study at both Oxford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Written by Lauren Kansley
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CPUT will proudly celebrate the achievements of more than 7 500 graduands during our Autumn Graduation next week.

Sixteen graduation ceremonies will be held from Monday, 7 April to Saturday, 12 April 2025 – with three ceremonies per day scheduled from Monday to Friday and one ceremony scheduled for Saturday morning.

Sixteen doctoral degrees will be conferred during Autumn graduation.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo congratulated the graduands and said their hard work, determination and resilience were being rewarded.

“When you walk across the stage to be capped, and hear the jubilant cheers of the audience, I hope you pause for a moment to remember the highs and lows of your journey to this point. This year, we celebrate 20 years of CPUT. From our roots in the old Technikon institutions, to now being one of the top Universities of Technology in the country, we certainly have a lot to be proud of – and graduations are one of those occasions where we reflect on our mutual accomplishments.”

For more information on Autumn Graduation click here.

Written by CPUT News
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Autumn graduation week has drawn to a close, with 6252 graduates from the class of 2010 getting capped in front of proud family and friends. Presiding over the last two ceremonies in a series of 12 held on CPUT's Bellville and Cape Town campuses last week, was the university's Chancellor, Minister Dr Trevor Manuel. Dr Manuel capped just over 1100 graduates of the Education and Applied Sciences faculties in Cape Town on Saturday.

Guest speakers at the morning and afternoon ceremonies respectively were Prof Diale ‘Oupa’ Rangaka, former academic and founder-owner of M’Hudi Wines in Stellebosch and education expert Penelope Vinjevold, Chief Director of Educational Planning: Western Cape Education Department.
 

Twelve inspirational guest speakers, all leaders in their respective fields, delivered memorable addresses to the young graduates last week. They included professional branding and marketing specialist Donna Rachelson, acclaimed Accounting researcher Prof Enrico Uliana, Sikelela Mkhabela, Regional Engineering Manager for Eskom: Western & Northern Cape and the grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, Chief Mandla Mandela. As Graduation Week 2011 concludes, we take a look at a few of CPUT's brightest and best.

Melissa Gardner was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Medal – the university’s top honour for BTech students. Graduating with distinction in every subject, Melissa had an aggregate of 86% for her BTech: Retail Business Management degree.“I’ve always had a passion for fashion and clothing stores have always interested me. My dad and sister studied at CPUT and spoke highly of the university. CPUT also offered a course that covered all my areas of interest as no other college had done. I considered the co-operative experience offered by the course in 3rd year to be the deciding factor in choosing to study here.

It gave me a great opportunity to gain insight into the industry in my chosen field, an opportunity that no other college offered. CPUT Mowbray had the feeling of a close-knit family and I feel I received a well-structured education, enhanced by dedicated lecturers and excellent hands-on experience. As far as the vibe of the student life went, it was well up to all my expectations - including making the most of the after-hours college parties - the diversity of the college atmosphere was incredible and amazing. Although I plan on studying for my MTech in the future, I’m currently working for Woolworths as a Planner's Assistant, and have great hopes for the future that include climbing the corporate ladder."

Dr Bingwen Yan, DTech Mechanical Engineering. "I believe that CPUT is a place for postgraduate students to grow and develop their potential in both their academic and personal life. In terms of the quality of tuition, input and support from my supervisors, they continuously supported me throughout the research process. Their inputs and contributions toward my study were significant and highly valued.

I'm currently a lecturer in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Within the next five years, I aim to become a senior lecturer and associate professor at CPUT. I'd also like to be a leader in my niche academic field and have committed myself to apply my best knowledge in assisting my students.

CPUT is currently the top university of technology in South Africa in terms of research publications, so I'd like to contribute more research papers to be published in accredited journals, so that I can add value to the reputation of our university. I want to see that our university becomes the MIT of the African continent in the future.

Afua Mohamed, the first woman in CPUT's history to be awarded a doctorate in Electrical Engineering. Ms Mohamed's supervisor for her DTech: Electrical Engineering, Prof Kahn, praised the candidate for her thorough and passionate insight into energy management technology.

Jiang Wu, who was awarded a doctorate in Information Technology for his thesis entitled "Development of an agent-based middleware for co-ordination of the real-time control functions in complex industrial systems."

Dean's Medallist in the Faculty of Informatics and Design, Natasha Sarkady, was joined on stage by her delighted and very proud sister as she received the medal from FID Dean Prof Johannes Cronje. Natasha graduated with distinctions in 12 out of 12 subjects, with a final aggregate of 88% over her three year's of study for her ND: Information Technology.

Vice-Chancellor Mazwi-Tanga with Frederick Jantjies, ND: Management.“I’d been working for Nestle food company for some time and decided to improve myself educationally.I started doing the Business Development Programme (BDP) via the Centre for Continuing Education, which through its credits ultimately contributed to me graduating with a diploma in Management. I’m currently doing a BTech in Management on a part-time basis.

Zolani Nicholas Sinxo, ND:Journalism: “I live in Khayamandi, Stellenbosch. I feel so happy that I made it to graduation. It’s been a struggle, three long years of hard work and some sleepless nights, but it’s all paid off today. I’m going to continue doing my BTech this year while working at the Cape Winelands District Municipality as a Communication Officer. I’m also considering doing broadcast journalism – I believe I’m going to go far in that field.

Bongani Tonisi, ND:Management. "I’m currently doing my BTech in Office Management and Technology (OMT). I was Residence and Transport Officer of the SRC in 2008, and last year I became Deputy Chairperson of the SRC on Cape Town Campus. We've done a lot for the CPUT community and now it’s time for us to go into the corporate world and make sure that we plough back into the communities that we come from. I’m feeling very happy for what I’ve just received”. 

Sipokazi Dikile, ND: Cost and Management Accounting. “I feel very excited after this graduation today - I’ve worked so hard for it and I really deserve it. I’m currently doing my internship at HC Accounting in Claremont. I’m looking for a position in an accounting firm as I my dream is to eventually become a Chartered Accountant."

by Jan Weintrob, Thando Moiloa and Thami Nkwanyane.

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT will be celebrating the success of more than 300 graduates during our Summer Graduation ceremony on 12 December.

A total of 25 doctorates will be conferred during the ceremony, which will be held at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment has the highest number of graduates (179), followed by Business and Management Sciences (60), Applied Sciences (36), Health and Wellness Sciences (22), Informatics and Design (17) and Education (16).

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said the university was very proud of the graduating class and their achievements.

“I hope that you continue to create value wherever you go, dream big, and do something worthwhile with your precious qualification. Your community and South Africa need you now, more than ever.”

The ceremony will be live streamed via the university’s //www.youtube.com/@cputnews/streams">YouTube channel.

Written by CPUT News
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Poverty has been a powerful source of motivation for Lebohang Mahlo, driving him to strive for success despite a myriad of challenges.

Today he is celebrating his journey from struggle to triumph after being conferred with the degree Doctor of Education during this morning’s Summer Graduation ceremony.

His journey started in Sterkspruit, a small town in the Eastern Cape, and at the age of six he moved to Khayelitsha to be with his mother.

“One of the greatest challenges was growing up without a father, compounded by the peer pressure from friends and the realities of poverty. Life became especially difficult after my mother lost her job as a cook at a restaurant.

“I have vivid memories of walking barefoot on cold winter mornings to visit my aunt, whom I affectionately referred to as Granny because she was older than my mother. She lived in another part of Khayelitsha and would always welcome me with tea and bread. Despite these hardships, these experiences instilled resilience and shaped my determination to overcome adversity.”

Education transformed Lebohang’s life.

After completing his schooling at the False Bay TVET College, he enrolled for a National Diploma in Tourism Management at CPUT.

“My journey began when I volunteered as a teacher at a night school, where I taught Business Studies and Tourism. Reflecting on it now, I can’t quite recall what motivated me to volunteer at the night school, but it turned out to be a transformative experience. At the time, this teaching role was one of three jobs I held while completing my National Diploma in Tourism Management.

“The other two jobs included working as a housekeeper at a guesthouse in Parow a few times a week, usually in the mornings before attending classes at noon, and working as a gardener for the same guesthouse on Saturdays. Balancing these responsibilities was challenging but necessary.”

While volunteering at the night school in Khayelitsha, his colleagues, who were teachers, encouraged him to pursue a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) teaching qualification and he followed their advice.

“This marked the beginning of my career in education, which has since become a deeply fulfilling path.”

He obtained his Master’s in Education at CPUT in 2020 and proceeded to pursue his doctorate.

Reflecting on his life journey, Lebohang said it feels “almost surreal” to graduate with his doctorate today, describing it as a defining experience in his life.

“Coming from a very poor family, I chose to transform my circumstances into a tool for inspiration, rather than a limitation, I dreamed daily of achieving success and worked tirelessly to make those dreams a reality.”

He said he owed much of his success to the unwavering support of his late stepfather, whose encouragement and belief in his potential provided the emotional and financial foundation needed to stay focused on his goals.

“Additionally, one significant influence on my mindset was James Allen's book, As a Man Thinketh. This transformative work emphasises the power of thought in shaping one’s life. Allen’s words deeply resonated with me, particularly his assertion that, “Good thoughts bear good fruit; bad thoughts bear bad fruit.”

He expressed his gratitude to his supervisor, Prof Zayd Waghid and his co-supervisor, Prof Agnes Chigona.

Lebohang now works as a lecturer at Sol Plaatje University, he teaches third-year undergraduate students and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students within the Faculty of Education.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Clement Matasane's journey to earning his Doctoral degree is not only a testament to his academic dedication but also a story of incredible resilience in the face of profound personal loss.

Throughout his studies, he faced the unimaginable challenge of losing five siblings, a tragedy that took a heavy toll on his heart and spirit. During this time, he often found himself wishing fervently that his late father could witness his achievement as he walked across the graduation stage.

Despite these overwhelming circumstances, Matasane triumphed, receiving his Doctor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering during the CPUT Summer Graduation ceremony earlier today. Today, he stands proud—a devoted husband to Marethabile and a loving father to five daughters and one son. He reflects fondly on the words of his late father, who believed that education is truly "a weapon for a black, disadvantaged, and rural child." Achieving a doctoral degree is not just an academic milestone for Matasane it represents his unwavering spirit and profound personal growth. “This journey needed immense dedication and perseverance, along with a strong support system. I’ve now felt a deep sense of accomplishment and a renewed purpose,” he shared.

The path has not been easy. Matasane faced numerous challenges socially, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. The onset of COVID-19 and the heartbreaking losses in his family were moments that tested him deeply, even forcing him to take a year-long study leave. Throughout this ordeal, his tenacity and commitment to his goals shone against the odds. His heartfelt advice for prospective PhD candidates is robust: find your passion, seek guidance from mentors, and prepare for the inevitable hurdles along the way. He says it’s vital to maintain a healthy work-life balance and to believe in yourself. Embrace opportunities for training and collaboration, and engage with others in your field through workshops, symposiums, conferences, and research exchange programmes.

“It required dedication, perseverance, and a strong support system. I felt a sense of accomplishment, pride, and a renewed sense of purpose. I experienced a lot of challenges in life, socially, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically, as some obstacles came during my time of fieldwork when COVID-19 started, and worse, losing five siblings that caused me to take study leave for a year in 2020.”

Clement's research focus—GIS Decision Support Systems in Rural Renewable Energy Deployment—aimed to shed light on how renewable energy resources can be effectively distributed and their potential for generating electricity. Utilizing multi-criteria evaluation techniques, he crafted a framework to define the distribution possibilities for various energy types. This vital research holds significant promise for the future of renewable energy initiatives, influencing project design, policymaking, and planning while considering the unique economic geography of the districts involved. Furthermore, the methodology developed can be applied to similar contexts, helping communities, designers, and installers assess, estimate, and validate the potential of renewable energy solutions.

Matasane's academic journey began at Lerotholi Polytechnic in Lesotho, where he laid the foundations of his studies, completing his undergraduate diploma in Electrical and Electronics. His pursuit of knowledge brought him back to Peninsula Technikon in 1994 for a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. He fuelled his passion further, earning a BTech in 1998 and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 2002. His fascination with research took root during the 1997 Logo Robotics Project at the Grahamstown Arts and Culture Festival which is where he became captivated by the potential of technology. This early interest eventually led him to delve deeper into environmental renewable energy and energy efficiency for his PhD.

Since joining CPUT in 2017 as a Research Manager under the Directorate Research Development (DRD), Matasane has continued to flourish. His career has been marked by impressive achievements, including five international peer-reviewed conference presentations across Nigeria, Uganda, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Scotland, alongside seven authored peer-reviewed publications with supervisors and collaborators. He has also garnered external funding for a critically important research project on the Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Platform for Transboundary River Basins in Southern Africa, illustrating his commitment to making a difference in his field and his community.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achiever Award will be helping 10 academically gifted students to fund their post-graduate studies.

Valued at R1 million for the current cohort, the fund identifies students who have achieved excellent results throughout their academic studies and can make a contribution to society by completing their Masters and/or Doctoral studies.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo says the award is a way of grooming the next generation of professors and ensures that Dean and Vice-Chancellor medallists remain connected to CPUT and come back to complete their Masters and Doctorates with the institution.

In 2019 one student was selected for the honour but a year later the pool of recipients has increased to 10, with students studying a variety of course options including Food Technology, Public Relations and Mechanical Engineering.

The Mauerberger Foundation Fund, which is a key sponsor to the award, was represented at the certificate ceremony by Advocate Dianna Yach.

She complimented the institution on making a real-world difference to positively transform society through technology.

“The recipients have a real desire to solve local and African problems in emerging economies and to do so in a way which is scalable. This is where CPUT makes the difference,” she said.

Prof Nhlapo called the recipients the cream of the CPUT crop and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

“You have been chosen because you represent the best of what CPUT has to offer, you have displayed the graduate attributes of resilience, superior problem-solving abilities and most importantly ethical capabilities. You already have the recipe for success,” he said.

PR Masters student Sivenathi Jayiya, who lives in Delft, thanked the award panel for seeing the best in her and believing in her capabilities.

The award will cover her existing student debt and finance the logistical cost of completing her Masters like transport, interviews and editing.

“Thank you to the panel for listening to my story and seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself. Thank you also to the VC for giving children from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to study in peace and without worry,” she said. 

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, conferred 150 Service Employees Training Certificates to the graduates from the 970 ‘Service Employees’ who were insourced by the University in 2017.

The University embarked on an insourcing project in 2017 and this was concluded last year with close to 1000 cleaners, gardeners and security officers being insourced. The employees were trained in a number of different courses such as financial literacy, supervisory and team leadership skills.

Nhlapo said service workers were the engine room of the University and play a critical role in keeping operations running. “This is never more evident that at the big graduation ceremonies that we host twice a year.” He added that the ceremony marked a significant achievement and the culmination of a great deal of work.

“I am always so proud when I drive into campus and see the pristine gardens, the graduation hall looking immaculate and the floors of the Administration building shining. We are showing the parents and visitors the best that we have to offer when our departments work together like that. We truly are One Smart CPUT.

“For some of you, today may be the first time you are wearing a graduation robe. I hope it inspires you to continue improving yourself through the multitude of learning and development opportunities on offer at CPUT.”

Meanwhile, Human Capital Director, Ncediwe Qomoyi, said they conducted a skills analysis with the different categories of staff to ascertain the skills and knowledge required.

Qomoyi said it was evident that most of the insourced staff had not been privileged to training before, and that the Human Capital’s Learning and Development Unit developed a skills strategy highlighting the skills needed for all categories of staff.

The unit managed to have about 150 service employees trained in a number of different training courses. “I would like to congratulate each of you for this significant accomplishment; you and your families should be proud of what you have accomplished,” said Qomoyi. “You are entering into one of the most exciting and important fields that exists in the life today and that is developing yourself.”

She thanked the Vice-Chancellor, the two directors, Marius Hull and Gavin Solomons and especially the trainees for investing in their learning.

In addition to the number of training opportunities offered by the Learning and Development Unit, there is a group of 50 staff enrolled in the matric program and 35 staff in the Adult Education Training program.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Hard work does pay off.

Family members and other well wishers are set to descend on the Bellville Campus to celebrate with the class of 2019 who will be graduating over six days.

For the first time in the history of CPUT, the university will be hosting 16 graduation ceremonies this summer from Saturday, the 7th to Friday, the 13th of December 2019.

The Summer Graduation season is the final graduation season for the year, following the Autumn Graduation, which took place in April.

This season, CPUT will confer 7 068 qualifications, of which 85 graduates will receive MTech degrees and 16 will obtain Doctoral degrees.

Qualifications will be awarded across the faculties of Applied Sciences (689 graduates), Business and Management Sciences (2 967), Education and Social Sciences (1 023), Engineering (1 198) Health and Wellness Sciences (336) as well as Informatics and Design (845).

It is expected that thousands of parents, guardians, spouses, partners and other supporters of graduates will attend the ceremonies.

CPUT has over 100 000 alumni, dating back to the university’s historic institutions, and the Class of 2019 will form part of that esteemed network. Annually close to 10 000 graduate from CPUT.

**Watch this event via live broadcast on the CPUT Live Video Streaming website.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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After matriculating Ornette Danse’s biggest ambition was to work at SAPS as a switchboard operator.

The blind father of three was so determined to realise this dream that he worked as a switchboard operator at a police station for free for an entire year. This sacrifice eventually paid off when he was recruited into the SAPS's busy 10111 call centre.

Fast forward a decade and Ornette has used that same determination to propel himself through a 3-year part-time diploma in Public Management with which he graduates on 13 December 2017.

While the journey has been tough for the 32-year-old he wouldn’t let the personal hurdles get in the way of completing his course on time and with at least 10 distinctions earned during his studies. In 2016, two of his children needed serious surgeries and the family even moved from Eerste River to Delft to make the commute easier for Ornette who mostly attended night classes at CPUT’s Bellville campus.

“Being a call centre agent is a good job but I didn’t see myself doing that in the future and I wanted to improve on my education, so that I can be a better father and husband and ultimately earn a better salary. I love current affairs and politics and Public Management was a way of using the skills I already have with my interest in news,” he says.

Ornette says he was received with open arms and accommodated by fellow students, lecturers, the CPUT Disability Unit and even his employer, who all went out of their way to make him comfortable.

“It was things like a security guard helping me to the bathroom, getting my notes saved in Word and not PDF format and my employer also arranging transport for me at night and making over-time arrangements,” he says.

“I knew I couldn’t fail even one subject because they believed in me and you often hear people complain that blind people just expect things for nothing. If I get promoted one day I want to earn it.”

Ornette also speaks six languages – English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and Tswana – a skill he picked up during his time at the Athlone School for the Blind and during his upbringing in the Free State.

To watch the video of Ornette being capped and hooded visit our Facebook page.

Written by Lauren Kansley

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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

CPUT’s first December Graduation kicked off today with the capping of Faculty of Informatics and Design students in the Major Sports Hall on Bellville campus.

In total some 5 220 graduands from six faculties will be capped at 12 ceremonies, which will include the conferring of 49 Masters and 10 Doctoral degrees over four days.

“Graduation is a major highlight of the academic year and we are very pleased to end off this rather challenging year with such a big celebration of our students’ achievements and our institution,” says Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo.

Nhlapo will be present at all 12 ceremonies, some of which will be presided over by CPUT’s new Chancellor Thandi Modise.

He looks forward to sharing in the joy of the graduands and their families. “I am greatly honoured to witness our students reaching the pinnacle of their academic journeys so far. It is indeed a great cause for celebration and I feel really privileged to have a front-row seat,” Nhlapo adds.

The Faculties of Business and Management Sciences, Informatics and Design as well as Education will award Dean’s Medals to their outstanding students.

There will be three ceremonies per day at 09:00, 14:00 and 19:00 and all ceremonies will take place on Bellville campus.

Each ceremony will be live streamed.

Use the hashtags #WeAreCPUT and #CPUTsummerGrad2017 when posting memories on social media.

Written by Abigail Calata

Hard work pays off.

This is true for the more than 6000 students who will graduate during the CPUT Autumn Graduation next week.

Autumn Graduation is the highlight of the CPUT academic year and provides the university with an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of thousands of students.

Graduation week will kick off on Monday morning at the Cape Town Campus, where qualifications will be conferred on students who completed programmes in the Business Faculty. 

This will be followed with ten more ceremonies, which will take place in the Multipurpose Hall on the Cape Town Campus and in the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus.

Autumn Graduation will culminate on Saturday afternoon at 2pm on the Cape Town Campus, where qualifications will be conferred on students who completed programmes in the Education Faculty. 

A total of 6712 qualifications will be conferred, of which 15 are doctoral degrees.

It is expected that thousands of parents, guardians, spouses, partners and other supporters of graduates will attend the ceremonies.

The Graduates will also be addressed by a host of South African movers and shakers in politics, industry and academia.

CPUT’s Vice- Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga will preside over the ceremonies.

All Graduation Ceremonies will be streamed live at www.cput.ac.za/live

* Education students must please note that there will only be one graduation ceremony on Saturday at 2pm.  For more information, please see the Autumn Graduation 2013 Schedule on the CPUT home page

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News

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Celebrations at CPUT are in full swing.

This week, CPUT will celebrate and recognise the achievements of thousands of students, who have successfully completed academic programmes at the university.

Graduation week kicks off this morning on the Cape Town Campus where students who completed programmes in the Business Faculty will take to the stage to receive their qualifications.

This evening hundreds of parents, spouses, partners, guardians and other supporters of graduates are expected to attend the second Business Faculty graduation at the Bellville Campus.

These ceremonies will be followed by nine others scheduled to take place during this week, with celebrations culminating on Saturday afternoon on the Cape Town campus.

During Autumn Graduation a total of 6712 qualifications will be conferred. Of this total, 66 are Master of Technology qualifications and six are Master of Education qualifications. Fifteen doctoral degrees will also be conferred.    

CPUT’s Vice- Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga will preside over the ceremonies.

All Graduation Ceremonies will be streamed live at www.cput.ac.za/live

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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Business Faculty graduates were urged to play a meaningful role in their communities.

Guest Speaker Michael Lawrence, who is the Director of the National Clothing Retail Federation, addressed hundreds of graduates and their supporters, during the first in a week-long series of graduation ceremonies, which kicked off at the Cape Town campus on Monday.

Lawrence says South Africa needs purposeful and passionate individuals, who will make positive contributions to the economy as well as to all other spheres of the country.

“Your lecturers have skilled you and now is the time to act. Become doers,” he says.

SKILLED: Timothy Paul is the oldest student to graduate during Autumn Graduation Week. He is 62 years old and received his National Diploma in Management

He informed graduates that making a difference in communities is what counts in life and not the material possessions they hope to acquire.

One such graduate, who has already made major contributions to his community and hopes to do much more, is Timothy Goosen.

Goosen at the age of 62 received his National Diploma in Management and is the oldest student to graduate this year from CPUT.

Goosen, who plans to study further next year, says he hopes his achievement will inspire others to educate themselves.

“It’s never too late to study,” he says.

The Business Faculty graduation continues in Bellville on Monday evening and in Cape Town on Tuesday morning.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News

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Graduates at last night’s Business Faculty’s graduation ceremony at the Bellville Campus were encouraged to think like entrepreneurs when they join the labour force.

This advice came from City of Cape Town’s Information Technology (IT) Senior Manager, Rudy Abrahams, who was the guest speaker at the ceremony. Abrahams insisted that the graduates should run their future jobs like profit-making businesses.

“Think how you can improve the internal processes and systems where you work,” he said.

In a moving speech, Abrahams shared personal experiences about his own trials and tribulations including dropping out of the former Pentech twice.

However, through the help of his family and friends he managed to pick himself up, got a job at an IT company and later enrolled for adult learning.

He asked the graduates to remember the role played by their parents and guardians in their quest for academic excellence.

He encouraged graduates to subscribe to a high work ethic and fill themselves with confidence as this is what employers are looking for.

Hundreds of students obtained diplomas and degrees with 16 graduates obtaining their diplomas cum laude.

But the night belonged to Daylene Wendy Onkruid who won a Dean’s Medal for her achievement in Human Resource Management. She achieved distinctions in all 16 subjects with an aggregate of 88% and is now registered for a B-Tech degree in the same course.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News

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“Transform yourself, transform your country,” this was the inspiring message from guest speaker, Jenny McKinnell, Group Executive Director at the Cape IT Initiative and the BandwidthBarn to hundreds of graduates on Tuesday evening.

The evening’s graduation conferred qualifications on students who completed programmes in the Faculty of Informatics and Design, Faculties of Applied Sciences, Education and Social Sciences, as well as Health and Wellness.

A successful businesswoman and mentor to many, McKinnel is dedicated to the prosperous future of South Africa, and leads CapaCITi 1000, a unique training and internship programme that aims to fast-track graduates into IT skills that are in critical short supply, particularly Business Analysis and Systems Analysis as well as software development.

As the graduates eagerly awaited their names being called, McKinnel urged them to be dedicated and to believe in the future that they can create.

“If we all play our small role collectively, we will conquer.”

Underlining the importance of living a life with purpose and happiness, McKinnel concluded with three steps that will lead to a complete life: “Love more. Solve problems. Ask difficult questions.”

As graduation week continues, hundreds of graduates, and their loved ones will congregate at the Cape Town campus for the third Business Faculty graduation today.

By: Nurahn Ryklief

Written by CPUT News

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 Graduates from the Faculty of Business were encouraged to read the classics and history of the continent’s leaders and capital cities by guest speaker Nils Flaaten during the faculty’s Third Graduation Ceremony at the Cape Town Campus.

Flaaten, who is a Chief Executive Officer at Wesgro, commended the graduates for their achievement which he said is a product of toil, endeavour and courage as some of them come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He warned graduates that their achievements come with a great responsibility because they are a select few who have achieved academic excellence. He said the day marked the beginning of a new journey for the graduates.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, conferred diplomas, B-Tech and M-Tech degrees on hundreds of students. Fourty-four graduates obtained their qualifications cum laude.

A moment of silence was observed when a National Diploma in Event Management was awarded posthumously to Anathi Tshandu, who passed away recently.  

This evening will see graduates, their friends and families converge at the Bellville Campus for the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences graduation ceremony, while the Faculty of Informatics and Design will hold its graduation ceremony tomorrow morning at the Cape Town Campus.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT together with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape are taking the lead in addressing skill shortages in the South African Health Sector.

On 15 April 2010, 60 students were awarded the Diploma in Nursing during the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences graduation ceremony. The course is offered in collaboration with the Western Cape College of Nursing (WCCN).

During the ceremony, the nursing graduates cited the traditional nursing pledge which is accompanied by the lighting of the lamp. The lamp is symbolic of the one which was carried by Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in nursing during the 1800’s. This tradition is practiced at universities and nursing colleges across the world since 1893.

Currently, in the Western Cape, this tradition is only taking place at CPUT and the University of the Western Cape, which are the only two institutions offering the four year undergraduate nursing qualification.

The other higher education institutions in the province only offer the postgraduate nursing programmes while some Nursing Schools at the hospitals offer the two year diploma course.

Addressing graduates at the ceremony, keynote speaker Sage Pillay, CEO of the National Health Laboratory Services, said South Africa desperately needs skilled health professionals who can make an impact in the health sector.

Pillay said many graduates will take up careers in the public health care sector, which is currently viewed by many South Africans as an uncaring sector. He challenged the graduates to change this poor image and provide a quality service to those in their care.

“Remember, the people you will care for cannot afford health care. Treat patients like you would want anyone to care for a member of your family. Put people first and above narrow and selfish needs,” he said.

He also drew their attention to the challenges of the sector, which include lack of resources, working conditions and remuneration.

He urged graduates to take up these challenges with their employer, but to do so in a “professional manner.”

Pillay called on students to embark on life-long learning and improve their educational qualifications.

During the ceremony 97 Bachelor of Technology Degrees in Nursing were also conferred.

CPUT’s postgraduate nursing programme, which allows qualified nurses to specialise in various areas of nursing, is one of the most successful programmes in the country, drawing students from across Africa.

By Candes Keating

Photograph: Newly qualified nurses, holding lamps, take the nursing pledge.

Written by CPUT News
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A dazzling, industry-standard fashion event at the Runway in Woodstock gave final year students the opportunity to present their designs to the fashion industry’s key players.

The Graduate Shows, which took place on 26 November 2008, featured the work of CPUT students, alongside work from the Design Academy of Fashion and the Cape Town College of Fashion Design.

The event was held in partnership with the Cape Town Fashion Council (CTIF) and African Fashion International (AFI) and was sponsored by Prefueled and Mbili.

AFI, who produced the event, is responsible for organising Virgin Mobile Cape Town Fashion Week, one of Africa’s premier fashion gatherings. The organisation gave the students a taste of what they could expect should present their work at such an event by creating a runway environment of professional production standards, including world class lighting, staging and modelling.

The garments themselves highlighted the versatility of Cape Town’s young designers. Playful urban styles and bold metallics alternated with striking monochrome minidresses and graceful evening gowns.

Work by Dominic Murray and by Faye Dowding evoked both contemporary and bygone eras by combining references to the Victorian Age with modern tailoring and materials. Tsidi Matshega’s masked models presented glamorous looks in black, gold and white. Vivid neon embellishments were present in the collections of Michel Johannessen and Masa Martinovic, while Busisiwe Bantshi opted for an earthy palette of rich reds and yellows.

Each student showcased at least five individual looks, which would form the basis of a ‘look book’ (portfolio) that could be used in his or her future career.

The Graduate Shows were conceived by the CTFC Education Sub-committee as an annual event that will streamline the introduction of graduates from fashion and textile related courses into industry. By providing them with a professionally staged fashion show, the graduates gain maximum exposure to key role players and potential employers.

“It will provide a window to what is happening at graduate level in the Western Cape,“ said Bryan Ramkilawan, CPUT Fashion Lecturer and Chairman of the CTFC Education Sub-committee, “and it will set the benchmark for quality and innovation in graduate fashion design.”

The run-up to The Graduate Shows was featured on the SABC3 series African Couture on 29 November 2008. Faye Dowding, who was selected by the event organisers as one of the top five designers, received the opportunity to dress one of SABC 3’s continuity presenters, thereby exposing her designs to an audience of 7 million viewers.

By Ilana Abratt

Photograph: Three of the designs by CPUT third year fashion students featured at The Graduate Shows

Written by CPUT News
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A total of 5 788 diplomas and degrees will be awarded to CPUT graduates during the March Graduation Ceremonies.

At these twelve ceremonies, which will be held on both the Cape Town and Bellville campuses, the institution will also award 56 master degrees and ten doctorate degrees.

Six graduates will be awarded Dean’s Medals for outstanding academic performances, while one graduate will receive the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Medal, which recognises the top CPUT graduate of the class of 2008.

This year’s graduation commenced on 23 March 2009 at the Cape Town campus and saw graduates from the Business Faculty take to the stage to receive their academic qualifications.

The Business Faculty is the largest faculty at CPUT and five of the twelve ceremonies have been set aside for this faculty.

The remainder of the ceremonies will be used to confer degrees in the Faculty of Education and Social Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health and Wellness and the Faculty of Informatics and Design.

Addressing graduates and their family members at the first graduation ceremony, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Prof Anthony Staak said during the next few days the institution will celebrate the success of those graduating.

“We are proud of what you have achieved thus far and sincerely hope that we have helped to place you on a trajectory that will lead you to even greater success in the future,” he said.

Prof Staak said the institution’s mission speaks of creating and applying knowledge that will contribute to economic and social development in South Africa .

He said the graduates, who will go on to become alumni of the institution, must also commit to this mission.

“Many of you will go on to occupy influential positions in commerce, in industry and in the public sector. We sincerely hope that you will not forget the communities from which you come,” he said.

Prof Staak urged graduates to use their “special skills and influence to put something back” into their communities and to help contribute to their development.

He also called on graduates to continue to support CPUT and to further their professional development at the institution.

With the rapid pace of technology, graduates will have to update their skills continuously to ensure that they remain leaders in their fields, said Prof Staak.

Prof Staak said CPUT will continue producing graduates who will be able to contribute to the development all sectors in South Africa .

With funding of close to R300 million from the National Education Department, CPUT is set to increase its undergraduate and postgraduate activities in scarce skill areas.

A portion of the funds is also earmarked for infrastructure development, which includes new academic buildings and residences.

Guest speaker at the first graduation ceremony, Dr Ivan Meyer, a senior lecturer in Public Policy and Local Government at Stellenbosch University, said CPUT is living up to its mission of being at “the heart of technology and innovation in South Africa.”

He said CPUT academics, students and graduates are making an impact in various fields in South Africa.

“CPUT is delivering on its mandate of producing a new generation of leaders,” he said.

Dr Meyer urged graduates to do their best in the working world and be ambassadors of CPUT.

Photo: Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga and Chair of the CPUT Council, Dr Rev Lionel Louw, congratulates Marketing Doctoral graduate Darlington Onojaefe.

By Candes Keating

Published online: 24/03/2009

Written by CPUT News
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