A variety of loan and bursary options are available to deserving students who have been accepted into their first year at CPUT.

The most popular choice is the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which is a government body that allocates a set amount of money toward a student’s individual tertiary education needs.

The repayable loan has already assisted thousands of students nationwide to gain access to higher education. It also incentivizes students to perform well academically by offering to wipe 40% of the amount owed if they continuously score well.

NSFAS loans are repayable once a student starts earning a salary.

Students who have been accepted to CPUT as first time, first-year students for 2014 can apply for financial aid up to the last working day of February. All applications are managed and processed by the Financial Aid office at CPUT.

CPUT also offers merit bursaries to students who scored an A-aggregate in their matric exams

Applicants must be South African citizens, have a very good academic record, should be assessed as financially needy and have to make a family contribution towards their studies. The size of awards varies according to individual needs.

Additionally most commercial banks, including Eduloan - similar to a bank loan, have affordable student loan options available.

Finally a number of external companies, clubs, churches etc offer financial assistance to needy students.

Check https://www.cput.ac.za/study/funding/undergraduate for more information on financial aid and funding.

Written by Lauren Kansley

Tel: +27 21 953 8646
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

In a historic collaboration between CPUT and PetroSA, fifteen academically deserving students with a range of disabilities have been offered full bursaries and guaranteed work contracts on the successful completion of their studies.

Darrin Arendse, Vice President of Human Capital at the national oil and gas company, is confident that this will promote a more diverse and inclusive university. Speaking at the launch of the Bursary Partnership last week, Arendse dubbed the initiative “a landmark agreement” which would help build an institution, workplace and country where everyone has a place in the sun.

His sentiments were echoed by Vice Chancellor Mazwi-Tanga, who emphasized that the partnership gives true meaning to equal opportunity. “No potential should be left undeveloped, and the fact that students from the engineering, IT and other scarce skills disciplines were selected makes this doubly important. “

The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged Dr Nina du Toit’s role, not only in this partnership but for her ground-breaking work in leading CPUT’s fledgling Disability Unit.

“I suspect we are the envy of our partner universities. Through the unit’s sterling work, we can boast that we truly strive to give our students, both able-bodied and disabled, real access to education”

Dr du Toit’s seminal role and influence was further acknowledged by the students’ themselves. Calling du Toit “a mother, mentor and angel all in one”, they also agree that the unit is like a second home to many of them. Students with a range of disabilities – from dyslexia, stuttering, epilepsy , visual and hearing impairment, to impaired mobility, quad and paraplegics are all catered for here.

In conjunction with these critical services offered by the unit, Arendse reiterated PetroSA’s commitment to the Bursary Partnership.

“In our fast-paced society characterised by the pursuit of convenience, it’s easy to ignore the challenges and difficulties faced by disabled people. But our own mindsets can be the biggest disability, by closing ourselves off to the possibilities that a diverse world offers. This collaboration is another example of how we are proudly shattering that tired paradigm, and making real inroads to a more inclusive society for all.”

By: Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
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The lives of five CPUT students were made easier when they were awarded full bursaries to cover their tuition, accommodation, books, travel expenses, as well as a living stipend.

On 22 May 2009, the Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI) Foundation through Golden Arrow Bus Services handed over bursaries to the value of R98 000 to students they identified as academically deserving.

The bursary programme is part of a new partnership between CPUT and Golden Arrow, which will see more students awarded full bursaries, internships and possible employment on satisfactory completion of their studies.

Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, Golden Arrow Director for Human Resources Meko Magida, said the partnership was one of the means through which the company was addressing the skills shortage in the country.

He said as the programme continues to grow, more students could benefit.

“If you do well, we would like you to join the company”, said Magida.

Dr Mandla Tshabalala of the HCI Foundation said the students had shown talent and should continue to take their studies seriously.

“Grab this opportunity with both hands and run with it,” he said.

Advancement Director Dr Garth van Gensen said the opportunity afforded to the five students was phenomenal and should not be taken lightly. He said the students were not the only beneficiaries of the programme but the entire CPUT community.

Dr van Gensen said the university was excited at the partnership and grateful for the generous contribution.

The students, Keenan Brandt (second-year Mechanical Engineering), Zimbini Makunga (first-year Mechanical Engineering), Qaqamba Qauka (second year Human Resource Management) and Lonwabo Mganisa (1st-year Mechanical Engineering) said they were thrilled and relieved by receiving the bursary.

They said it would be easier for them to focus on their studies without worrying about payment of their fees.

The students said with internship and employment placement taken care of, they had one less thing to worry about when they finished their studies. Christian Roberts, a Mechanical Engineering student, who was unable to attend the handover, was also awarded a bursary.

By Noloyiso Mchunu

Written by CPUT News
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Thanks to the generosity of German aircraft equipment manufacturing company, KUNZ, two academically-deserving students have been given a potentially life-changing opportunity.

Litheko Nkabiti, an Electrical Engineering student and Dineo Malaka from the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering have been selected to be the inaugural recipients of full bursaries from KUNZ.

The bursaries cover the entire course of study, from first year all the way through to their BTech year, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

KUNZ GmbH aircraft equipment is a leading supplier of aircraft recovery equipment and aircraft wheel and brake servicing equipment. The company counts among its clients airports across the globe from Athens to Warsaw, airlines such as Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France and SAA, as well as the official air forces of Italy, Japan, Singapore, Finland and the US Air Force and Navy, amongst others.

With such a world of opportunity open to Litheko and Dineo, it’s no wonder they are so thrilled. They’ve both expressed their deepest thanks to the company, and more specifically to Managing Director Gerhard Kunz, who initiated the bursary through CPUT’s Advancement Department.

Advancement Officer Niven Maree is confident that partnerships with internationally renowned and cutting-edge companies such as KUNZ can only go from strength to strength.  

“Advancement plays a vital role in cultivating long-term mutually beneficial relationships,” says Maree.

“We prefer to pursue alliances in a strategic manner, with a longer-term nurturing mentality, as opposed to a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ philosophy. In doing so, our goals of meeting financial targets, focusing on stewardship and friend-raising result in a win-win situation – for the university, our students and the companies we partner with.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
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29 of CPUT’s academically deserving students studying Civil Engineering, Building Surveying and Architectural Technology are the latest recipients of bursaries, each valued at R60 000.

The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), who support training, education and skills development in the construction industry is the donor of the funds, which total a whopping R1.74 million.

This is the latest agreement between CPUT and the various Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) brokered by the Advancement Department. Major donations in the form of bursaries, research and Work Integrated Learning opportunities have also been received from BANKSETA, (Banking and Micro-Finance SETA) AgriSETA, (Agricultural SETA), CATHSSETA, (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports SETA), CHIETA (Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority) and the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&R SETA).

CETA may fund the students until they finish their courses, but are committing for one year at this stage. A continuation of donor funds will depend on the students’ performance and the availability of resources within CETA.

Female-focussed: A minimum of 40% of the CETA bursary recipients are women.

Coby Greef, Provincial Coordinator of CETA says he’s delighted to see so many female faces amongst the bursary recipients. The CETA has stipulated that a minimum of 40% of beneficiaries of the bursaries must be women.

“CETA is committed to providing a conducive environment for learning and artisan development, with a special focus on youth, women and our military veterans,” says Greef. ‘We’re working closely with institutions of higher learning to ensure quality learning to equip professionals and artisans with the necessary skills needed to build our nation.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
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My School is celebrating their 17th birthday at the end of September, and for the 17 days leading up to their big day, from 14 - 30 September 2014, for every new card issued with CPUT as the beneficiary, they'll give the university’s Bursary Fund R17 cash.

That means if we sign up 10 new users in the next ten days until the end of the month, we'll receive R170, 100 new cardholders translates into R1 700 and should we sign up 1000 new cardholders, our Bursary Fund will receive a whopping R17 000.

Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu has led the campaign to get as many CPUT staff, students and supporters as possible to buy-in to the My School Card Campaign.

It is one of South Africa's biggest community support programmes which raises funds to improve education and social development.

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

“It’s a simple and effective way to ensure that many more bright and deserving students denied an education due to financial constraints are given the opportunity to shine.”

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 CPUT as your beneficiary. To do this log onto www.myschool.co.za/supporter/update/

When one swipes one’s card at any participating retailer, 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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The Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Seta (CATHSSETA) paid a visit to 25 of CPUT’s most promising Tourism and Hospitality Management students.

They were here to monitor and evaluate the students who are spread across various years of study and are the recipients of over R1 million in bursaries from the SETA.

The CATHSETA funds are being used to pay the students’ tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meals and other course related costs.

Fundraising Officer, Khumo Sebola, of CPUT’s Advancement Office, says the partnership between CPUT and the CATHSSETA has made a tangible difference to these student’s lives.

“These students now have the luxury of concentrating solely on their academic coursework, instead of stressing about textbook costs, or where their next meal will come from,” says Sebola.

“It is a sad reality that many of our most academically-deserving students are unable to complete their diplomas and degrees due to unbearable financial pressure. We’re therefore delighted to have hosted the CATHSETA on this evaluation visit, so they can see with their own eyes how beneficiaries are blossoming – all thanks to their generous funding.”

Advancement Director Calvin Maseko echoed these sentiments and expressed his gratitude to the CATHSSETA for their ongoing involvement with the CPUT.

“A bursary is definitely the gift that keeps on giving. These donations give dignity and hope to our talented students and contribute to skills development and socio-economic upliftment in our province and country.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
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This Cape Town Hotel School student is a cut above after being awarded a generous bursary and industry body subscription.

Third-year student, Deen Hopcroft, was awarded a R20 000 bursary and a year’s subscription to the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa).

Fedhasa, the official representative of the hospitality industry of South Africa, approached hotel schools in Cape Town and encouraged third-year students to apply for the bursary opportunity. Shortlisted candidates were invited for interviews at the association’s local offices in Century City.

The money would go towards his third-year’s tuition fees.

Deen says the selection criteria included academic performance and experience in the hotel industry as Fedhasa wants to invest the money and the opportunity in someone who will shine in the industry.

He says it gives him great excitement and is a load off his shoulders to have been awarded the prestigious bursary as he can now focus on his studies and the business he started recently.

“Two months ago, I started Master Bar Events, a company which stocks bars and hire out bartenders for events of any size,” he says.

He says the Fedhasa subscription will be a great opportunity for him to network with people in the hotel industry as well as keep him updated with industry news and latest developments.

“It will provide me with training opportunities from other general managers who will share tips and skills that helped them to get to where they are,” says Deen.

He hopes to go to London soon for his six-month internship and then come back to enrol for a BTech degree next year.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Classes for the new Grade R Diploma commenced at the Mowbray Campus with 64 students this month.

CPUT is the only university in the Western Cape that offers this qualification.

Forty-three students, who are already teaching Grade R at public schools, were awarded full bursaries by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). Four other students are teaching in independent schools while the rest have yet to start teaching.

The students are doing the course part-time over four years and are taking six subjects in the first year. They are required to attend 18 weekends of lectures as well as four days during each of the short schools’ holidays.

Course coordinator Nici Rousseau says the WCED is anxious to have fully-qualified Grade R teachers.

“The diploma is going to be a minimum qualification for Grade R teachers,” says Rousseau.

She says the students are a very interactive group who bring experience to class.

Student Vuyokazi Matembisa, who has been teaching Grade R at Vuyani Primary School in Gugulethu since 2006, says she is looking forward to studying towards the diploma as the qualification will bring her recognition and the professional status that will command respect from her colleagues.

Marion Frantz, who is an assistant Grade R teacher at D Van der Ross Primary School, hopes to be a permanent teacher at the school after obtaining the diploma.

For more information on the course, contact Nici Rousseau at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +27 21 680 1547.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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It has been a bumper quarter at CPUT’s Advancement Department, who have helped raise millions in bursary funding for needy students.

Director Calvin Maseko has extended heartfelt thanks to all donors, and says their support is life-changing for so many academically deserving students who face financial challenges.

“Here at the Advancement Department, nothing makes us happier than money – the kind donated to our students in the form of bursaries. A bursary is, quite simply, the gift that keeps on giving. It is much more than a sum of money – it gives dignity and hope to talented students who struggle to afford their education and contributes to nation-building in South Africa and beyond.”

These students have a lot to smile about – they have just made history as the very first recipients of bursary funding from The Motsepe Foundation in the Western Cape. Established by one of Africa’s most successful business leaders, Patrice Motsepe, and his wife Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the Foundation have given full bursaries to these achievers. The bursaries will be renewed for each year of study if the students show proof of excellent academic results.

From left: Agriculture students Beatrice Kola, Mvuselelo Dalicuba, Agriculture HOD Dr Frances Lewu, Azuke Ntapane and Lunga Sobambela

These winemakers, fruit exporters and agricultural researchers of the future are all recipients of bursary funding from the AgriSeta. Dr Lewu says that the generosity of the Seta has made a big difference both to the Department of Agriculture and the students’ lives, allowing the Department to retain top academic achievers who would otherwise have dropped out or struggled due to financial constraints.

“These are but two of many other donors who are making such a tangible difference for our students. We trust that they will be pleased to see how much their support counts and continue funding the CPUT Bursary Fund”, says Maseko.

He has also acknowledged the generous support of the Ackerman Family Educational Trust, Collaboration Concept Design Reality, the EJ Lombardi Trust, Garden Cities, Golden Arrow Bus Services, Infiniti Legal Sense, The Mauerberger Foundation, Rane Corporation (Pty) Ltd, Revel Fox & Partners, the South African National Zakah Fund, The Isidore, Theresa & Ronald Cohen Charitable Trust, the National Youth Development Agency and most importantly, CPUT staff and alumni.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
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The Wholesale and Retail Leadership Chair (WRLC) has awarded bursaries to four undergraduate and three postgraduate students to cover their educational and living expenses.

The bursaries were awarded to academically gifted students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. The bursaries were awarded to six Retail Business Management students and one Business Administration student. The bursary winners were: Sbabatso Emihle Sofute (1st Year), Likhona Lukholo Mtiya (2nd Year), Caylin Amber Louw (4th Year), Ziyanda Qwase (5th Year), Innocent Tumelo Ntuli (Master of Retail Business Management), Anushka Benjamin (Master of Retail Business Management) Bongani Bango (Master of Technology – Business Administration).

The first year up to fifth year students get a total of R50 000 each student and master’s level students receive R150 000 each, paid into their student accounts.

Head of Department & Wholesale and Retail Leadership Chair at CPUT, Prof Virimai Mugobo, said the awarding of bursaries to deserving students was one of the deliverables in the partnership agreement between the W&RSETA and CPUT.  Mugobo said one of the key deliverables of the WRLC was to establish international partnerships with universities across the world that offer wholesale and retail-related qualifications. Currently the WRLC has partnerships with universities in countries such as Germany, France, and Sweden.

Caylin Amber Louw, a 4th-Year student,  said: “I am really grateful to W&RSETA for selecting me, the bursary helped me financially  because I was a lot pressure[financially] because my single mother is unemployed and could not afford to pay the fees.”

“We congratulate the bursary recipients and sincerely hope that the bursaries will go a long way in assisting them to complete the 2022 academic year without any financial challenges, thus enabling them to concentrate on their studies,” said Mugobo.

The WRLC has also fully financed two students and one staff member who will be visiting Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), Ravensburg, Germany as part of the international exchange programme. The students will be in Germany for about three months whilst the staff member will spend two weeks in that country.  The students are Moemtaaz Manual and Aviwe Tapuko who are both third-year Retail Business Management students. The lecturer is Eric van Zyl.

“The purpose of the international exchange programme is to expose our students to international wholesale and retail trends. The programme affords them the opportunity to observe and learn how wholesale and retail businesses operate in the specific country they will be visiting. Upon their return, they [will]share their experience and knowledge with fellow students and staff in the department,” Mugobo continued.

“We wish them well during their stay in Germany and we hope that they will be take the opportunity to learn not only about how wholesaling and retailing are conducted but also learn more about the Germany culture.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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CPUT students continue to benefit from the provincial government’s Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme which aims to address the skills shortage in the fields of transport, engineering and the built environment. 

Last year the programme paid for tuition fees and accommodation expenses as well as meals, travelling costs, books and stationery allowances on behalf of 101 CPUT students. This year 21 new bursaries have been added to the programme.

The bursary recipients also get an opportunity to work for the Department of Transport and Public Works or its collaborative partners in industry as part of their Work-Integrated Learning placements.

The bursaries are offered on a work-back basis meaning the beneficiaries will have to work for the public service for every year they received the bursary.

Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant, told the audience during the recent bursary award ceremony that the flagship programme focuses on facilitating the development and availability of skills identified nationally as scarce and critical, in order to meet the operational needs of his department and the country.

“The underpinning concept of the bursary programme is to empower financially disadvantaged youth through access to tertiary education. The programme also boasts support services, tutoring, employment placement and partnerships with the private sector. These features serve to distinguish the programme from many other similar programmes and opportunities for young people.”

Financial Aid Office’s Curtis Pietersen said CPUT is grateful for the financial allocations made by the department since the programme started in 2006: “We are thankful to the Department of Public Works Western Cape for this support and we look forward to our continued partnership well into the future.”

Only South African students who are enrolled or would be studying at Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town and CPUT in the fields of transport, engineering and the built environment are eligible to apply.

For more information regarding which diplomas and degrees are funded by the programme contact Lee Maggott on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 021 483 9545.

 The closing date for 2019 applications is 30 September 2018 and forms can be downloaded at https://www.westerncape.gov.za

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The Transport Education and Training Authority has tripled its bursary allocation to CPUT students in a bid to produce more graduates.

While TETA funded 14 top performing CPUT students last year, 2018 saw the number increase to 55 students. Each student will receive R71 000, which will cover tuition fees as well as expenses such as accommodation, meals and books.

The successful students are in the Faculties of Engineering, Applied Sciences as well as Business and Management Sciences. 

TETA aims to ease the lives of South African young people by funding them to complete their studies. 

The SETA’s personnel prides themselves on assisting students to fulfil their goals. TETA wants to help more South Africans gain skills and find their way into the workplace.

“We are very grateful for this support. This funding will amount to over R9 million, a much-needed boost in addressing the plight of our financially needy students,” says CPUT’s Advancement Director Calvin Maseko.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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