His early struggles as a university student desperate to source funding for his studies have inspired CPUT Chairperson of Council, Mr Mbulelo Bikwani, to establish a fund for students in need, particularly students with disabilities. He has also pledged his Council stipend for this cause. The fund, which has thus far raised well over R250 000, was launched recently in Gugulethu at a Thanksgiving and Gratitude Ceremony to mark Mr Bikwani’s appointment as Chairman of CPUT ‘s Council.

“During my student days, I literally went around to people that I knew, some of them friends, with a begging cap, asking for money to study,” said Mr Bikwani. “Begging is something that undermines and compromises your dignity, but I was desperate for an education and knew that to achieve this I would have to swallow my pride. Having experienced first-hand the struggle to finance my education, when I became Chairman of Council I knew I couldn’t accept such a prestigious role without initiating a project to make a difference in the lives of students.” The fund is named after one of Mr Bikwani’s generous supporters when he was an impoverished student, Mgcobisi Moffat Ngcebetsha.  

Among the first donors of the fund are the current Rector and Vice-Chancellor of CPUT, Prof Lineo Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, Mr Wande Madikane, Mr and Mrs Roger Smith, Mr and Mrs Xolisa Mnyanda, Mr and Mrs Mashilo Mokotong, Mr and Mrs Mike Salter, Prof and Mrs Johannes Cronje, Mr and Mrs Sisa Rafuza, Mr Abram Luruli, Mr and Mrs Mandla Maxongo, Mr Paul Boughey, Dr Patti Wickens and Mr Mlamli Magqwaka.

Dr Mlungisi Kwini, whom with his wife, Dr Miranda Kwini, pledged the incredibly generous anchor funding of R200 000 said, “When Mbu (Mbulelo) spoke to me he mentioned education – and education is everything to me. If you have education you can never be poor, and I talk here from experience not from theory. I grew up looking after someone else’s goats for a living whilst I was at school. For that reason, I’ve asked Mbu how much they’ve raised and he told me that it was R150 000, including my initial pledge of R100 000. I have decided to make this a nice round figure of a quarter of a million, bringing the kitty to R250 000”.

During the Thanksgiving service, the Reverend Dr. Baartman prayed for the University Council to, “enjoy the privilege of building an institution that will serve the nation with determination, honesty and excellence. We pray for the educators, that they will find a sense of joy and fulfillment in their vocation, spiritually, intellectually and materially”. Reverend Professor Lizo Jaftha prayed that the new bursary fund serve as a blessing to many who are in need. ”We also pray that many will help in growing this fund. May those who will serve as administrators of this fund do so faithfully, with a sense of empathy for those who are in great need,” he concluded.

By Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News
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"As a caring, student-centered university, we are continually challenged to look at the holistic development of our students – and financial support is key to this.”

These were the words of CPUT Fundraising Liason Officer Andile Blaai, speaking at a recent Bursary fundraiser. Addressing captains of industry, CPUT staff and students, Council Members and Executive Management, Blaai says the common perception of South Africa being a nation of non-givers is a myth. “In fact, if we are asked to give, we do so. Alumni, staff members, executive management, and the Council Chair himself – all do so because they were asked to.”

The Bursary Fund appeal is strongly supported by Council Chair Mbulelo Bikwani, who gives his entire annual stipend to the Bursary Fund and has first-hand experience of the struggle to raise funds for his own education.

“If we are serious we should be able to raise R20 million by the end of this year without any pain”, he says.

“The time for companies and organisations putting huge sums of money into worthy causes is coming to an end – the current world economy means money is extremely tight. So we feel very strongly that the route to go in fundraising is not to rely on ‘big’ money as anchor sponsors, but to capitalise on the internal goodwill of ‘small’ money.”

“We have about 85 thousand alumni. If half of these – some 42 thousand, were asked to contribute R100 per month, R51 million can be raised.

Contact Blaai at 021 460 3387 for further information.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
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Alumni, staff, friends and supporters of CPUT have joined forces to mark the close of 2014, raising thousands for the university’s Bursary Fund in a festive get-together at a city hotel.

The editor of the Cape Argus, alumnus Jermaine Craig, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and set the tone with his entertaining directing of the night’s events, while Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, gave a punchy presentation on CPUT’s recent achievements. These include launching the first cube-satellite in Africa, hosting the only South African Renewable Energy Training Centre, and the only Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre in Africa, amongst other accomplishments.

Amidst the wining, dining and reconnecting with old friends, a series of raffles were held with all proceeds going to the Bursary Fund. Prizes included stunning jewellery worth thousands donated by alumni Jeanine Benjamin of Jinn and Marizanne Kellerman of Zanry Jewellery Design and Manufacturing. Other prizes included a Cadac Safari Chef Gas Cooker, donated by Alumni Association chairperson, Jeff Daniels, while both the Best Western Cape Suites Hotel and the DoubleTree by Hilton Upper Eastside Hotel donated a complimentary stay for two for two nights.

Alumni Association Chair Jeff Daniels (left) donates a Cadac Safari Chef to raffle winner Jean Jackson (right)

A special raffle for regular supporters of the Bursary Fund was also held, with Nomhle Klaas from Bloemfontein winning a superfast Proline Tablet worth R3 000. Although not present at the event, Nomhle is delighted at the news.

Nomhle Klaas, winner of a Proline Tablet for her support of CPUT’s Bursary Fund

“I decided to be a regular donor as I myself was the recipient of a bursary. Had it not been for this, I would not be where I am today. Having never won anything in my life, I’m overwhelmed – thank you very much!”

Alumni Officers Val Deelman and Francois Jooste have extended grateful thanks to all who made the event such a success.

“It was an honour to spend time with some of our finest alumni, and to raise a total of R6 400 through the raffles. We hope 2015 sees many more of our alumni join us to give back using their professional resources, networks and goodwill.”

Sandi Goodwin from PPS (left) and Nancy Daniels (right) who won the set of earrings and matching pendant valued at R1 500 from Zanry Jewellers

For more information on becoming an active alumnus, please contact the Alumni Office on 021 460 3389. More photographs of the celebration can be found on CPUT’s Alumni Facebook page.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
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CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu, is leading the bid to get as many CPUT staff, students and supporters as possible to buy in to the My School Card Campaign.

My School /My Village /My Planet is South Africa's biggest community support programme which raises funds to improve education and social development.

The programme partners are South Africa’s favourite retailers, including Woolworths, Waltons, Reggies, Toys R Us, Engen, SupaQuick and Kalahari.com.

As an added bonus, cardholders get exclusive discounts and special offers such as WRewards at Woolworths. They also receive monthly statements via email showing transactions and how much has been raised for the Fund, simply by swiping the card when shopping.

“This is one of the initiatives introduced by CPUT’s Advancement Department to boost our Bursary Fund”, says Nevhutalu.

“When the Department approached me to lead this campaign, I jumped at the chance. It’s absolutely critical that our Bursary Fund strengthens and grows in the months and years to come, so that many more academically-deserving students denied an education due to financial constraints are given the opportunity to shine.”

To boost the CPUT Bursary Fund swipe your card when you shop at any partner store.

If you don’t already have a My School card;

1. Apply for a free card at www.myschool.co.za or call 0860 100 445. You can also get a card at any Woolworths store.
2. Nominate CPUT as your beneficiary
3. If you already have a My School card, please nominate the CPUT as your beneficiary. To do this log onto www.myschool.co.za/supporter/update/

The partner donates a percentage of your purchase to the CPUT Bursary Fund.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
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