CPUT continues its mission to provide one of the most state-of-the-art campus housing offerings in the country.

The university is leading the way in setting a standard of excellence in residence management, and our students are the welcome beneficiaries of the new changes.

Last year ended on a high note with the institution celebrating the completion of the Cape Suites Residence Project. This project will see 400 beds go online and will provide female students with a living and learning environment in one of the most state-of-the-art campus housing offerings in the country. Cape Suites is a few metres from the District Six campus and provides safe and comfortable accommodation to some of our most vulnerable students.

Understanding the sustainability aspects of the university’s properties, the focus in 2024 was on quality enhancement to ensure that CPUT-owned residences remain attractive to our clientele, according to Phillip Chibvuri, Residence Finance Specialist.

This focus area is key for sustenance and the institution invested in the following:

 The Residences Facelift Project

This is an on-going project which focuses on the look and feel of each residence

“We are exploring the benefits of well-designed underutilised areas in each residence and bring them alive as research has shown the interior design of places and productivity are closely linked,” said Chibvuri

Operational Equipment

The Housing team has enhanced a number of residences with brand new microwaves, fridges, smart televisions and stoves.

A new batch of 100 laundry machines is in the pipeline to ensure that malfunctioning machines do not affect utilities such as water and electricity.

All heat pump systems received the necessary attention to ensure hot water in all 26 CPUT-owned residences.

Security

All 26 residences have been set onto the SALTO system, which is fully compatible with local technologies at CPUT.

In addition, the replacement and reconfiguration of all turnstiles at all residences are underway with some already fully functional

“We now have over 200 cameras for the exterior areas installed at strategic angles, functional, and monitored. More are underway in terms of interior and special areas of control in 2025. A facial recognition system (SAMS Project) has been piloted and the results are encouraging, and Campus Protection Services and Housing are working on a sustainable roll out plan in 2025.”

Chibvuri added: “We are optimistic we are going in a particular direction which will require thrifty approaches, sustainable solutions, and forward-thinking”.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The shortage of affordable accommodation close to campuses has long been an issue for universities across South Africa and CPUT continues to seek innovative solutions to help address the need.

The institution recently met with DigsConnect, an online platform that aims to help students find safe accommodation close to their institutions.

“We’re thrilled to be working with tech start-up DigsConnect.com, South Africa’s largest student accommodation marketplace. It allows landlords and agents across the accommodation spectrum to list their student properties, and for students to then connect with the landlords directly,” says Phillip Chibvuri from CPUT’s Residence Business Unit.

“At CPUT we pride ourselves on innovation and taking practical action to solve inefficiencies in our society. Part of this commitment includes working with exciting start-ups that are changing the way that we do things. We are exploring a more vibrant relationship with DigsConnect in the year 2019 to spread our own accredited properties on their website.”

CPUT’s own Off-Campus Housing Accreditation Program (OCHAP) was launched in 2017 and allows students to search for private accommodation, which has been approved and accredited by CPUT officials.

To visit the database, go to http://www.cput.ac.za/students/life/accommodation/ochap/properties

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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An online database, launched last year to assist CPUT students in the hunt for safe off-campus accommodation, has grown to include more than 700 beds.

The Off-Campus Housing Accreditation Program (OCHAP) aims to ease the pressure on student housing.

It allows students to trawl the database for private accommodation, which has been approved and accredited by CPUT officials.

The number of available beds is expected to increase to between 800 and 1 000 this year.

“Any service provider around CPUT campuses can apply through an online application system.

Students can freely select their place of choice in the bracket they can afford,” says Phillip Chibvuri from the CPUT Residence Business & Risk Assessment Centre.

To qualify, service providers have to provide five beds or more and adhere to a range of requirements. Officials will inspect the accommodation to ensure that the accommodation is safe and suitable for students while proof of ownership and other requirements will also be checked.

Owners pay a once-off fee before being added to the online database.

Lease agreements are also vetted.

“The project has the potential to change the student accommodation market and create a system where local universities adopt a common regulatory approach when dealing with accrediting properties,” says Chibvuri.
To visit the database, go to http://www.cput.ac.za/students/life/accommodation/ochap/properties

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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