The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) announced a new partnership with Nurture Brands, which aims to elevate the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals while fostering student wellness in meaningful ways.

This is part of the "One Residence, One Garden" initiative at CPUT, a project by the DSA in partnership with the Faculty of Applied Sciences, which aims to promote sustainability and community engagement through student-managed gardens within university residences. 

Dr Melanie Swanson, the Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit within DSA, shared that this collaboration goes beyond just donations; it offers valuable support for good health and well-being, as well as internship opportunities for CPUT students. During a heartfelt ceremony, the staff and students planted the donated seedlings at Catsville Residence, and the Division can’t wait to witness the growth and harvest in the coming months. “We are excited to see the produce that will eventually be harvested in a few months. We are also thankful for the dedication of students and staff at Catsville to support this initiative,” the thrilled Swanson enthused.

“I'm really excited to also because it's about sustainability and it's about development and it's about food security”

In her welcoming address, the Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, acknowledged the support of Ziyanda Watani, a CPUT alumna and staff member of Nurture Brands, for her efforts in giving back to the community. Tyolwana also recognized the crucial roles played by the students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences, the Green Campus Initiative (GCI), and the CPUT Convocation. “I'm quite excited colleagues the issue of student hunger or food security is a critical issue,” she remarked.”

During his speech on sustainable development and food security, Prof Joseph Kioko, the Dean of Applied Sciences, emphasised the strong connection between food and science. He also highlighted that his faculty possesses technologies that help teach students how to enhance food products sourced from the garden. “They make biscuits and other items that can be stored and consumed, which means we are teaching some of our nutritional science students to utilise and benefit from the garden's produce.”

He continued: “My gratitude to Nurture Brands is really big because you help us, [you] really make a difference I thought I just mentioned that the issue of food insecurity is not unique to us, it's very widespread among universities in the country, so we're not sort of an island we are part of a bigger hole.” 

During the event, the Nurture Brands handed over the following items:

Seedlings:

• Spinach X200
• Cabbage X200
• Beetroot X200
• Onion X200
• Green Pepper X200

They also provided personal protective equipment for students working in the vegetable garden, which included 30 pairs of safety boots and 30 overalls.

Swanson took a moment to reflect on the event, expressing heartfelt thoughts: “It was a huge success. With an existing garden that is already well maintained by students including those studying horticulture, the additional seedlings and PPE gave students an additional drive to promote sustainable development and food security.”

Watani also recognised the incredible effort and dedication that everyone has put forth: “Thank you so much to everyone for the hospitality and reception we received at CPUT. It was indeed a successful day. The business is equally excited and looks forward to working with the institution. When I returned to work on the day of the handover, the chief executive officer and managing director were already talking about the event. My executive couldn’t contain her excitement and had sent out the pictures to senior management.”

Besides the seedlings donation other support and benefits for CPUT students are in Good Health and Well-being (UN SDG 3):

• Student audiometric testing at Nautilus Pharma.
• Random donations of vitamins to the campus clinic.
• Participation in CPUT wellness days.

Quality Education (UN SDG 4).

• Internship programmes and Apprentices.

Swanson added that the partnership Nurture will assist in the placement of CPUT-qualifying students at Nautilus Pharma and Vital Health Foods. “Their generous donation not only reflects a commitment to our cause for sustainable development and food security but also inspires others to contribute and get involved.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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CPUT staff and students will be commemorating World Aids Day on our Cape Town Campus today.

The event is the culmination of a year which saw CPUT being heralded as a front-runner amongst tertiary institutions in the fight against the disease.

The cornerstones of CPUT’S HIV/Aids unit are the peer educators, who work tirelessly on campus spreading prevention methods and giving support.

Last month, peer educators from all three campuses were acknowledged for their contribution at a glitzy event.

Director of the Higher Education Aids Department (HEAids), Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, says CPUT is doing very well compared to the 23 other institutions his organisation monitors.

“Peer education is the way forward and I believe in it,” he says.

“CPUT is doing very well and I appreciate your efforts.”

HIV/Aids unit HOD Dr Ashraf Mohammed personally congratulated each educator and awarded them with a certificate.

Join the HIV/Aids unit between 1 and 2pm in Seminar Room two of the Administration Building on Cape Town campus.

The theme is “Getting to Zero” and the team have an uplifting and informative programme planned.

By: Lauren Kansley

Written by CPUT News

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A CPUT Industrial Engineering student is demonstrating his leadership qualities and strong commitment to community upliftment by raising donations for an orphanage for abandoned and HIV-infected children.

Simamkele Mpahla, who is also a member of the Activate! Leadership and Public Innovation programme, is leading a team of four students to raise funds or donations of baby’s nappies, clothes, formula milk and non-perishable foods for Masigcine Children’s Home in Mfuleni.

Masigcine (which means "let us cherish") is a registered Children’s Home that houses about 17 children between the ages of three months and nine years. Masigcine launched in 1989 with the help of the Kuilsriver-based Dutch Reformed Church.

“We have approached some business owners in and around Mfuleni and now we are making a call for donations to members of the public,” says a tenacious Simamkele. “We hope to hand the donation over to Masigcine on the 27^th of April.”

Simamkele identified the home as his Voluntary Day project that forms part of his membership with the Activate! Leadership and Public Innovation programme. The programme aims to ignite public innovation by establishing a network of young leaders throughout South Africa.

After applying to become a member of the programme, he was selected for his proven commitment to public good.

To make a donation you can contact Masigcine’s Sydene Cloete on 021 909 1397. To find out more about the children’s home visit www.masigcine.org.za.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News

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The HIV/Aids Unit observed World Aids Day with a health screening campaign at the Bellville Campus.

Worlds Aids Day is observed around the world on December 1, and this year’s theme was Communities make the difference.

“It is also a time where we remember those living with HIV and, most of all, send out a message of hope and say it is possible to be infected with HIV and live a completely healthy and productive life,” said Melanie Marais, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit.

According to the UNAIDS, 37, 9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2018. A total of 24, 5 million people were accessing anti-retroviral treatment by the end of June 2019.  

“It is important to know that, although HIV infection cannot be cured, it is manageable, treatable and can be controlled through antiretroviral therapy.”

The health screening campaign included free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, TB and HIV.

“These services are available throughout the year across all our campuses.  HIV infection is highly preventable and we encourage our colleagues and students to know their HIV statuses, and have measures in place to protect themselves from HIV infection,” added Marais.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The HIV/AIDS Unit will hold the first 2009 Voluntary Counselling and Testing Drive from 9 to 13 March on Bellville Campus and 16 to 24 March on Cape Town Campus.

The initiative, which is rolled out in collaboration with the CPUT Health Clinic, facilitates voluntary HIV testing. Staff and students who participate in the drive get to learn their HIV status and are counselled accordingly.

Bellville Campus

09 March: Freedom Square Residence (16:00 - 21:00)
10 and 11 March: Auditorium (09:00 - 16:00)
12 March: Tygerberg Hospital Dental Technology Dept (09:00 - 16:00)

Cape Town Campus

16 March: Catsville Residence (16:00 - 21:00)
17 and 18 March: Student Center (09:00 - 16:00)
19 March: Granger Bay Campus (09:00 - 16:00)
23 March: Down Town Lodge (DTL) (16:00 - 21:00)
24 March: Elizabeth Womens Residence (EWR) (16:00 - 21:00)

Written by CPUT News
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The HIV/AIDS Unit recently hosted a two-day educational and awareness workshop. The workshop, titled “Beyond HIV/AIDS/STIs and TB” took place from 24 to 25 March 2009 at the Cape Town Campus.

It was attended by Student Development Officers, Assistant Student Development Officers, several students and individuals from the private sector.

On day one, Jacqueline Bacela, HIV/AIDS Unit Curriculum Officer, introduced the group to some of the positive and negative myths of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

She also facilitated various interactive exercises to gain a deeper insight into the prevention, transmission and control of HIV/AIDS.

During the course of the day, participants also heard a testimony from a person living with HIV/Aids.

Other real-life topics that were discussed included, workplace tolerance, sexuality, HIV disclosure, confidentiality, safer sex negotiation with partner, advice for friendships/ relationships around HIV awareness, religious and cultural practices, opportunistic infections and anti-retrovirals (ARVs).

On the second day, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit Dr Mohammed shared some important information around the epidemiology (medical statistics on the incidence and distribution) and the subsequent economic impact of HIV/AIDS on the Southern African Development Community region.

Dr Mohammed also presented case studies around opportunistic and HIV/AIDS-related infections, such as tuberculosis, severe diarrhea and pneumonia.

Dr Mohammed said by the end of the two-day workshop, participants were not only encouraged by the information received but were motivated to know their HIV status and practice the lessons learnt from the sessions.

But more importantly participants felt the need to become more proactive in terms of HIV/AIDS/STI and TB campaigns within their workplace and communities, said Dr Mohammed.

One participant, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I realised that I still had much to do to get rid of the negative myths I had regarding this pandemic. We’re all vulnerable, but at least its spread is preventable”.

The HIV/AIDS Unit regularly conducts HIV/AIDS/STI and TB workshops for students and staff as well as credit bearing modules which are incorporated into existing courses.

For more information on the HIV/Aids unit, contact their offices at 021 460 4253, visit them at the Cape Town office or view their web pages at http://www.cput.ac.za/students/saas/hivaidsunit.

By Thando J. Moiloa

Photo: Head of the HIV/Aids Unit Dr Ashraf Mohammed addresses the group during the two-day awareness and training session.

Written by CPUT News
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Charging forward with its commitment to an HIV free generation, the CPUT HIV/Aids unit recently held a welcoming ceremony for all its peer educators at Mowbray Campus.

The purpose of this event was to inform new peer educators about the Peer Education program as well as their roles in the HIV/AIDS unit. The event was also for existing peer educators to meet, socialise and share best practices with new ones.

Peer Educators are senior students who are equipped to render a support service to the community on and off-campus. They mobilise students during HIV/Aids awareness campaigns to get tested, and distribute condoms across CPUT campuses.

To kick start the year, the HIV/AIDS unit will be launching an abstinence campaign in conjunction with the Sexually Transmitted Infections Condom Week campaign which commences on Monday (4 February). Peer Educators will be going around campus encouraging abstinence and safer sex practices to all students.

“We want to encourage students to make use of the HIV/AIDS unit and the services that are available to them,” says Alex Semba, acting HOD of the HIV/Aids Unit.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News

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“At CPUT, we are creating futures - but most importantly we want to create healthy futures.” These were the words of Dean of Student Affairs Cora Njoli-Motale, at the launch of CPUT’s Mobile Wellness Unit on the Bellville Campus on World Aids Day. The state-of-the-art vehicle is testament to the hard work and vision of CPUT’s HIV Institutional Coordinating Committee (HICC) within the HIV/AIDS Unit, and is a fitting symbol of one of the themes of this year’s World Aids Day - universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support.

Dean of Student Affairs Cora Njoli-Motale, gets a good look at CPUT’s Mobile Wellness Unit as the state-of-the-art vehicle is launched on the Bellville Campus on World Aids Day.

The spacious and well-equipped mobile unit aims to encompass all the health services offered by the HIV/AIDS Unit, Student Health, Student Counseling and the Disability Unit, and will give CPUT the muscle to reach all its service sites, internally and externally. Broad coverage of all of CPUT’s satellite campuses, as well as the surrounding communities is envisaged. This will allow the unit to provide a platform for a holistic wellness strategy for screening, appropriate referrals and health promotion, enhancing the well-being of students, staff and the broader community.Funded by the European Union (EU) through the Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme, (HEAIDS) some of the tests that will be conducted in the unit include voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, blood pressure and cholesterol analysis, screening for tuberculosis, testing for pregnancy, emergency contraception and condom distribution. Alex Semba, Projects Coordinator at the HIV/AIDS Unit says the mobile unit will have a registered nurse and a counselor available everyday and will start operating from early 2011.
He adds, “This is an exciting day for the entire CPUT. The HIV/AIDS unit would like to thank the EU for the funding and our Executive Management for the encouragement and support.”Joining in the celebrations at the launch, Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga reiterated that CPUT has a responsibility to engage with and give back to the broader community. “By not supporting people who are living with HIV/AIDS, we’ll be sentencing South Africa to a guillotine. We hope that not only CPUT will benefit from this initiative, but also the entire Western Cape community.”A little further afield, World Aids Day was also marked on 1st December in a moving and joyous ceremony on CPUT’s Wellington Campus. In a joint initiative with the Hawequa Correctional Centre, CPUT donated funds generated from the HIV/AIDS Road Race held in September to two local orphanages that care for children affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Wellington Student Affairs Sports Development Officer, Tyrone Africa, is certain the annual Boland Athletics-accredited race will grow into one of the premier races in the region, attracting the top athletes in the Boland, and thereby generating more funds for worthy organisations who tackle HIV/AIDS head-on.This year, the caregivers from “House of Hope” and “Let the Children Come” orphanages in Mbekweni in Paarl were the delighted recipients of the cash donation, and a brand-new Wendy house to replace the dilapidated structure that had previously housed children at one of the care facilities.

Mrs Wendy of "House of Hope" and Mrs Miriam of "Let the Children Come", two of the orphanages in Mbekweni , Paarl, that received funds from the proceeds of the annual HIV/AIDS Road Race, jointly organised by CPUT Wellington and the Hawequa Correctional Centre.

Speaking at the handover event in Wellington, Manager for Civic Engagement at CPUT’s Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning Centre, Buntu Gwija, echoed the Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments about CPUT’s mandate to engage with communities. “As a university, we need to play a central role in guiding communities to be responsible communities. The people sitting here are united in one voice that says we care, we are concerned about HIV/AIDS.”

By Andiswa Dantile & Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT’s Bellville Clinic has been recognised for its sterling work in the field of HIV/Aids.

The clinic is one of the best HIV testing centres in the Tygerberg Region and received a Gold Award for from the City of Cape Town.

Student Health Coordinator Andries Slinger says the award is a milestone for the clinic that services thousands of students enrolled at the Bellville Campus.

“We are proud of our achievement,” he says.

The clinic, which is manned by a team of dedicated and hardworking nurses, counsellors and administrative staff members, provides free HIV testing and counselling services throughout the academic year to CPUT students.

Slinger says last year they tested a large number of students and also saw a remarkable increase in the number of male students who are signing up for HIV testing.

In addition to providing these free services, Slinger says the Clinic also runs an extensive orientation programme at the start of the year, which focuses on HIV/Aids and other health-related issues.

Counsellor Ntombi Mahlanyana, who works closely with students, says the Clinic does its best to provide quality care and services for CPUT students.

By Candes Keating
 

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT has been congratulated for being a front-runner amongst tertiary institutions in the fight against HIV/Aids. The 7th annual Peer Education Awards Ceremony was hosted by CPUT’s HIV/Aids unit recently.

The aim of the event is to acknowledge the sterling work Peer Educators do in fighting the disease amongst students.

Director of the Higher Education Aids Department (HEAids), Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, said CPUT is doing very well compared to the 23 other institutions his organisation monitors.

“Peer education is the way forward and I believe in it,” he said.

“CPUT is doing very well and I appreciate your efforts.”

The glitzy event, which was held at the Tuscany Gardens Hall in Rylands, made certain the Peer Educators were centre of attention.

Guests were treated to a song and dance performance as well as a delicious three course meal.

HIV/Aids Unit HOD, Dr Ashraf Mohammed, called the students his ‘A-Team’ and reminded them of the important work they do each day.

“It’s easier for the youth to speak to the youth and tonight is about saying thank you,” he expressed.

The HIV/Aids Unit has also benefitted from a close working relationship with the German government in recent years. The liaison for this programme, Lionel Adriaan, explained the significance of the relationship and introduced two German students currently in SA and working with the unit.

“They bring a wealth of experience here with them and we are grateful to have them,” said Adriaan.

Before the evening ended, students were awarded a certificate for the contributions. 

By: Lauren Kansley

Photo by: Clive Galant (Fundani CHED)

Written by CPUT News
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This year World Aids Day on 1 December will be commemorated with a week-long campaign across two of CPUT’s campuses – Bellville and Cape Town.

This international initiative provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the HIV pandemic, to encourage sexually active individuals to know their status and to commemorate those who have lost their lives as a result of HIV.

Information tables, where both staff and students can be tested not only for HIV, but also other sexually transmitted illnesses as well as TB will be the focal point of the university’s efforts to create awareness around HIV. HIV testing is voluntary and staff and students are encouraged to get tested or simply to come for general health screenings at the information tables.

On Cape Town campus the information table will be on the Piazza from 27 to 28 November, while it will be in the area between the Major Sports Hall and the Admin Building on Bellville campus from 29 November to 1 December.

The theme for this year’s World Aids Day is Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships.

According to Stats SA 12.7% of the country’s total population of 55 million people live with HIV. A further 5.6% of South Africans aged between 15 and 24 has HIV, while 18.9% of adults aged 15-49 years live with HIV. Despite this high prevalence of HIV, HIV activists still have to battle against the stigma surrounding the disease.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of getting tested and knowing your status. The latest development in antiretroviral treatment is that one no longer has to wait for your CD4 count to be below a certain threshold to start treatment. You can start treatment immediately after finding out you are HIV+,” says Unathi Bheme, a final year Education student who bravely disclosed her status in Parliament last year.

Staff and students are also urged to bring donations of sanitary towels to the information tables. By doing this they are automatically entered into a lucky draw and stand the chance to win prizes. The Donate a Pad Project (DAPP) is an initiative by the HIV unit that formally kicks off on Monday, 27 November. This initiative will extend beyond World Aids Day and continue well into 2018. Staff and students can also drop off donations of sanitary towels at the following offices:

• HIV Unit
• Campus Clinic
• Student Counseling
• Department of Student Affairs; and
• Disability Unit

Female students in need of sanitary towels can collect sanitary towels from these same offices.

Written by Abigail Calata

Four design students graduated with Magister Technologiae on 21 April 2008.

They are (front) Nicole Nel – A surface design intervention for adult inmates infected and affected with HIV/AIDS, John Vermeulen – From the grave to the cradle: exploration of hemp as an eco-design material, Katarzyna Rytel – The influence of advertising design in the print media on the self-perception of South Africa and Polish women, (back) Rael Futerman – Inclusive fitness: participatory design approaches for active ageing.

Written by CPUT News
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A three-day HIV counseling and testing campaign targeting male students and their partners is underway at the Cape Town Campus.

The “Bridge The Gap Campaign” is a collaboration between the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit and the Students Christian Organization (SCO) and is in response to the national challenge of how few men know their status.

The campaign also aims to make students curious about HIV and to dispel the myth that they already know enough about the virus.

Additionally the initiative also seeks to encourage Christians to brave the stigma of associating HIV with sleeping around and instead get tested.

The campaign features an information stall, condom distribution and demonstration of their correct use as well as the promotion of the unit’s Abstinence Club.

Nomtika Mjwana, a PR intern with the HIV unit, says that the campaign is borne out of the fact that much more female students get tested than their male counterparts.

“We are trying to stress testing on males because our statistics show that 70% of students who get tested are female and only 30% are male,” she says.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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CPUT’s HIV/AIDS Unit joined thousands across the globe on Monday, 16th May 2011 to remember those who have died of AIDS and support those who are living with the disease. On the 28th anniversary of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Acting Head of the unit, Alex Semba says, “It was an honour to have such a great show of support from the CPUT community and the learners that we invited to be a part of the memorial in showing compassion and concern for people living with HIV/AIDS.”

“We heard remarks from Derrick Fine, founder of the Openly Positive Trust, Neliswa Nkwali of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Central SRC Secretary Siyabonga Ngozi, and our own Health Promotor Marius Harmsen. We were treated to beautiful songs by the CPUT Choir and their soloist. The event was also a chance for the audience to learn about the HIV/AIDS support services offered on campus,” says Semba.

Openly Positive displayed their newly launched book in which Harmsen’s story, ‘Too lazy to die’ is featured, as part of a collection of short stories titled Whisper Not - 15 Africans speak out on life and love beyond HIV. Another author, professional nurse and mother of four Ann Ray Ray also delivered a powerful personal testimony of living positively.

The book celebrates the lives of ordinary men and women from across Africa, relating their experiences of living with HIV. They say by no longer speaking in whispers about HIV and AIDS, one can live a healthy, full and positive life.

“Even if one couldn't attend the event yesterday, one can still be commemorate the memorial by lighting a candle in your private space in remembrance of those who have died, and in support of those who are living with HIV/AIDS”, says Semba.

More information about the Openly Positive book collection can be obtained from the HIV/AIDS Unit, located on the 2nd Floor, Cape Town campus Admin Building on Tel: 021 460 4253.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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Surface Design student, Christel Stipp along with Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS recently showcased their range of women’s accessories at an exhibition held in August on the Cape Town campus.

The exhibition was the culmination of Stipp’s Mtech practice-based research project.

Stipp is the first CPUT MTech surface design student to complete a practice-based research project, which consist of a dissertation and a practical. Students usually opt for the dissertation route.

However, Stipp said she was up for a challenge and opted for the creative route.

Her project aimed at equipping the elderly with surface design skills in order to empower them to create an accessory range.

She approached the Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS community group that is based in Khayelitsha.

Stipp started work on the project in 2006 and held various creative and skills- based workshops with the women.

Many of the women were already skilled in crochet and other handwork techniques and were able to incorporate this into Stipp’s project.

“After the workshops we went on to create the accessory range which included handbags, ponchos, scarfs and belts,” said Stipp.

“We worked with a wide variety of materials. This included wools, leather and craft-wire. The majority of materials were sourced from South Africa and Namibia,” she said.

The various accessories will be marketed and the public will be able to place orders. The accessories will be produced by the women who will benefit from the sales.

Mama Gold, one of the members of the group thanked Stipp for the positive impact that the research project had on the grandmothers’ lives. She said they gained valuable skills.

Co-ordinator of the MTech Fashion and Surface Design Programme, Alettia Chisin said: “As an educator I was deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to supervise a project of this nature, which was from the start a co-operative and reciprocal exchange of knowledge and ideas amongst all the participants.”

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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As part of its monthly seminar program, the HIV/AIDS Unit gave a group of students the opportunity to meet noted author and filmmaker Rayda Jacobs.

Ms Jacobs presented the film Confessions of a Gambler on 10 June 2008 on the Cape Town Campus. Aside from writing the bestseller on which the film was based, she is also the film’s co-director and lead actress.

The film tells the story of Abeeda, a Muslim woman who struggles with her addiction to gambling triggered by her son’s death from AIDS. Ms Jacobs, when answering questions from the students, explained that the film deals with the impact of HIV/AIDS to the uninfected or rather “affected”. The notion is that too often we focus our attention on the infected and neglect the affected. The HIV/AIDS Unit invited her not only to show her movie to students but also to motivate students to use the talents they have to achieve their dreams.

“The HIV/AIDS Unit, although very small, takes pride in educating and empowering CPUT students with regards to HIV/AIDS sometimes by exposing talented people like Rayda to the students,” said Peer Educator Phumelani Mayongo.

Loyiso Malindi from CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit says the movie has changed the way we think about our future as individuals. “The presentation has given people a whole lot of hope and it is not just about helping other people emotionally it is about helping others realise that they can help other people while they are in a process of healing themselves”, he added.

by Zininzi Ntando, Marketing and Communication Department

Written by CPUT News
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From 20 to 24 October 2008, CPUT participated in a Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) survey into the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in institutions of higher education.

With approval from CPUT’s Health Science Faculty Ethics Committee and in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Unit, a research team from Higher Education South Africa (HESA) randomly selected various departments and faculties to participate in the strictly confidential and voluntary survey.

CPUT’s involvement was part of a broader study currently being conducted by HESA at all public higher education institutions in South Africa to establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to HIV/AIDS and to measure the HIV infection levels amongst staff and students. In total, 22 universities and 25,000 students and staff will be involved.

The survey’s findings will be vital in providing a better understanding of HIV/AIDS at CPUT and in the higher education sector in the country in general. They will also serve to inform effective responses to the epidemic, including policy, funding, prevention programmes, and care and support services for staff and students. Results will be made available through the media and through HEAIDS once the entire survey is complete in 2009.

“The survey is useful to CPUT because the data will tell us more about attitudes, trends and behaviours and what sort of intervention programmes need to be implemented,” said the HOD of the HIV/AIDS Unit, Mr. Ashraf Mohammed. “More importantly, we will have a baseline not only for CPUT, but for all 22 institutions which can be used to compare and recommend best practices.”

Launched in 2000 and involving the Department of Education, HEAIDS is South Africa’s first nationally-coordinated and large scale response to HIV/AIDS in the higher education sector. Its purpose is “to reduce the threat of the spread of HIV/AIDS in the higher education sector, to mitigate its impact through planning and capacity development and to manage the impact of the pandemic in a way that reflects the ethical, social, knowledge transmission and production responsibilities that are the mission of HEIs in society.”

Similarly, the mission of the HIV/AIDS Unit at CPUT (based on Cape Town Campus) is to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS/STI and TB on staff and students on all five CPUT campuses.

With an acute understanding that young people are particularly vulnerable to the disease, the Unit’s ten staff members provide a variety of interventions and services: workshops on campus and in the broader community; awareness and prevention campaigns; a peer education programme; Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT); care and support for people infected and affected; and innovative research.

By Sarah Burdeniuk, HIV/AIDS Unit

Written by CPUT News
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Professor Ashraf Mohammed, head of the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit was recently awarded by an independent foundation for spearheading programmes which strive towards achieving excellence in the HIV/AIDS programs.

The National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa awarded Mohammed at a gala dinner in honour of people who have excelled in the community and who have attained distinctions in their fields of expertise.

“This award is to me a validation and acknowledgment by an independent community organization of our work, and has further boosted the confidence of my staff as the achievement inspires them,” said an ecstatic Mohammed. 

Since receiving the award, two community organizations have approached the unit seeking collaboration in HIV/Aids programs in their respective communities.

“Furthermore, just recently I was invited as a guest in a community radio interview to discuss our HIV/Aids programs at CPUT and in the community,” he said.

The foundation said in a letter to Mohammed that he was selected because he is a role model in the community and the broader society.

Established in 2000 as an independent community-based and owned trust, the foundation is a charity organization which funds various community development projects.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News
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The CPUT HIV/Aids Unit has taken community engagement to another level by assembling a soccer team to play against prisoners at the Malmesbury Correctional Service.

The unit has been running successful community outreach programs at the centre since 2004. Following a request for a friendly soccer match by the inmates, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit, Prof Ashraf Mohammed, facilitated the formation of a team with the view of strengthening the connection between the prison and the Unit.

“At the same time, we innovatively used soccer as a medium to convey to the inmates the message of HIV/Aids/STI and TB,” says Mohammed.

The team comprised of students, Peer Educators as well as CPUT staff from different departments. The event was also used to recruit new Peer Educators for the 2013 academic year.

The match ended in a stalemate as the teams scored a goal apiece in the second half, with the host being the first ones to score. The HIV/Aids Unit’s team later drew level after it was awarded a penalty kick, which was converted successfully by Excy Mgaba much to the delight of the unit’s supporters.

Because of the overwhelming success of the day, Mohammed declared that it would now become an annual event at the prison.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News
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South African tertiary institutions took a giant leap forward in the fight against HIV and Aids when they recently launched a national strategic policy framework at a conference held at UCT.

Produced in collaboration with universities by the Higher Education South Africa, the Department of Higher Education and Training as well as Higher Education Aids (HEAIDS), the framework provides a useful guide to universities and FETs in developing an effective response to the HIV/Aids pandemic.

The three-day national conference of Higher Education institutional HIV/Aids programmes was recently held under the theme: Applying the Research/Researching the Applied.

Speakers who addressed the conference included the Professor Anthony Staak, CPUT Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Vice-chancellors of UWC, Stellenbosch and UCT, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana as well as speakers from the national Department of Health, UNAIDS and HEAIDS.

The main highlights of the conference were the unveiling of the new HEAIDS logo and the launch of the Policy and Strategic Framework on HIV/Aids for Higher Education.

The first day of this conference was planned to coincide with the celebration of World AIDS Day, on the eve of which the UNAIDS reported that South Africa increased its rollout of HIV treatment by 75% in the last two years, ensuring 1.7 million people had access.

The World Aids Day/Opening of the Conference was hosted by the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit and its director, Professor Ashraf Mohammed.

The report also indicated that during this period new HIV infections in South Africa had fallen by more than 50 000.

Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News
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