CPUT’s Cape Town campus piazza was packed with students and staff this week as multi-award-winning Afro-Soul artist Lira wowed the crowds at the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) Welcoming Event and Market Day.

Packed to the rafters:  The expectant crowds wait patiently for multi-award-winning songbird Lira to perform.

The annual outdoor event is project managed by Student Development Officers (SDOs) Annette Grobler and Derek Stocken with the support of their colleagues and the technical audio-visual team.

Putting in the extra effort:  Students Affairs staff members monitor proceedings and see that all runs smoothly.

“Market Day is an initiative aimed at boosting students’ morale. Seeing as the DSA wants students to develop holistically, we feel this gives them an opportunity to grow their entrepreneurial skills, amongst other things”, said Grobler. “Last year we had Freshly Ground as part of the World Cup Kick-off promotions, so we thought that this year we needed to bring an artist that can match that standard”, she added.

Hearty Culture: The Department of Horticulture’s beautiful stand sold a variety of flowers, including daisies and red roses for Valentine’s Day, proving to be one of the busiest stalls on Market Day.

A golden performance: Lira won the South African musician of the year award in 2010. The beautiful songstress set the CPUT Cape Town campus alight with an all-round singing and dancing display that will long be remembered.

Apart from enjoying the items on sale at the stalls on display, most people gathered to catch a glimpse of one of South Africa’s most-loved and praised songstresses. Lira delivered a strong vocal performance, helping the crowd forget the sweltering heat.

Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the event was campus radio station Uni FM DJ and second year Marketing student Sikhombiso Mangcu, who did a spectacular job of welcoming the students to the new academic year and sharing the services offered by the DSA. 

Dean of Students Cora Njoli-Motale reminded students to acknowledge and practice the day’s theme ‘Peace, Love and Happiness’.  “These are the best years of your young adulthood, so while you are here to learn, to be a well-rounded individual you must also remember to have a little fun, and be safe while doing it.”

In the driving seat:  Dean of Students Affairs, Ms Cora Njoli Motale, welcomes staff and students to the Cape Town campus.

A moment in time:  Lira prepares backstage as she is about to entertain CPUT students at the Piazza on the Cape Town campus.

By:  Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT mountaineers, Annette Grobler and Ntlaletseng Ramohlola recently attempted to summit Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America.

Grobler, a Student Development Officer and alumnus Ramohlola, who is employed as a Chemical Engineer on an oil rig off the coast of Nigeria, began their mountaineering ventures several years ago.

Whilst studying at CPUT, Ramohlola, with the support of Grobler, summated Mount Kilimanjaro in 2005. The following year Ramohlola returned to CPUT and invited Grobler to travel with him to Russia and summit Mount Elbrus. The alumnus covered Grobler’s expenses as a token of appreciation for the role she played in his life whilst he was studying at CPUT.

After a short break from mountaineering, the duo decided to take on Mount Aconcagua, which is situated in Argentina, during the December holidays.

The expedition, which included several other climbers and Spanish guides, was led by well known mountaineer Sean Disney.

Grobler said despite their best efforts, they were unable to summit and fly the CPUT flag on top of Mount Aconcagua.

A mere 500m from the summit, the group was forced to turn around. Due to two climbers who had developed altitude sickness, they had moved too slowly and could not reach the summit before 3pm.

“Due to the fact that the weather at 7000m can change in a second, the Spanish guides that escorted us, have strict instructions to summit with their groups before 3pm. If people are not at the top by this time, then the guides have to take them down,” said Grobler.

“The first 20 steps back to camp were the most difficult steps I had ever made. Defeat is all you think about. I was defeated by the mountain,” she said.

However, with winds speeds up to 65 km per hour in minus 23 degrees, blizzards, nausea, insomnia, acute mountain sickness, and waiting in tents for up to three days on end, Grobler said she is happy to be home.

She said there is still a possibility of flying CPUT’s flag on Mount Aconcagua as Ramohlola plans to travel back to South America and make a second attempt to summit.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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Two of the country’s top DJs welcomed CPUT students to campus life this week.

Popular 5FM celebrity DJs Fresh and Euphonik rocked the Cape Town and Bellville campuses as part of a Student Affairs welcome bash. The two jockeys joined forces and have since become one of the hottest acts in South Africa better known as F.eU.

DREAM TEAM: Fresh and Euphonik are two of the most popular DJs in the country.

Student Development Officer, Annette Grobler, says Fresh and Euphonik, whose real names are Thato Sikwane and Themba Nkosi, were a great way of grabbing students attention and informing them about all the fantastic opportunities available in the sports, culture and student development areas.

Grobler says it has become increasingly challenging to communicate with students and they now rely heavily on social media outlets.

“In Bellville, the MC encouraged people to take out their phones and join the cput students group on Facebook,” she says.

“Now they are on top of everything happening on campus.”

Grobler says the Student Affairs department aims to be a “home away from home” especially for those who live on residence.

“Our aim is to try and create a well-developed individual who has both their academic and emotional needs catered for,” she says.

“Last year rugby was an unexpected hit with students and we are hoping many more will join things like our Zumba classes.”

By: Lauren Kansley

Images by Clive Galant

Written by CPUT News
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Adventure and expeditions will act as a catalyst to promote environmental awareness amongst CPUT students.

Next month, the Department of Student Affairs along with the organisation Explore4Knowledge, will launch the Water Warriors, a student body that will advocate understanding and concern for South Africa’s water resources.

Student Development Officer Annette Grobler says the group’s activities will be adventure-based and see them work closely with the Sports Management Department, the Human Performance Laboratory and Explore4Knowledge, an organisation run by CPUT alumnus John Lucas.

Explore4knowledge promotes scientific methodology in an environmental education setting, using adventure, says Lucas.

“Our partnership is aimed at developing environmental awareness through outdoor activities and capacity building with all students. This will involve camps, research based outings and various ad hoc activities,” he says

The first adventure will take place from 13 to 16 March at the Beverlac camping site in the Southern Cedeberg area, were students will do sampling with scientists and interact with members of the community residing on the river banks.

Students that form part of the Water Warriors will also stand the chance to become one of only 23 selected students to embark on an expedition of a life-time, when they will have the opportunity to row one of South Africa’s rivers for 16 days, non-stop during their September vacation.

Any registered student from any CPUT campus can apply to form part of the Water Warrior Programme as long as they can swim, are fit and have a passion for their environment.

Interested students can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and visit www.explore4knowledge.com for more information

More information about the Water Warriors programme

Water Warriors Application form

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.