The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town campus recently hosted the Learner-Meet Scientist @Work Programme. The programme provides role models for prospective CPUT students. Learners get the experience of visiting science laboratories and an opportunity to talk to postgraduate ‘scientists’ personally.

The programme started two years ago and is facilitated by Dr Shaheed Hartley, acting Dean of Contract Research in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The programme aims to provide prospective students with insight in the science field at large.

“It’s important for our learners to get exposure to venues of study and career possibilities,” said Dr Hartley. He said the programme helps learners to make informed decisions about their future. The programme benefits learners, especially those in grade twelve. It also helps in marketing the courses the CPUT has on offer.

The Learner-Meet Scientist@Work Project began after an awareness campaign was held to promote Science and Technology in 1996. This was in response to a call to build a human resource for science and technology base of South Africa.

“CPUT thus embarked on this project to expose learners to some of the areas of study and research in science and technology. The project aims to promote Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) as a study field to meet the demand for scientific human capital in the country,” reports Dr Hartley.

The programme aims to inform learners from previously disadvantaged schools that Science, Engineering and Technology careers are achievable, socially relevant, rewarding and fun. It also aims to improve the image of science and technology as a career. It aims to provide information about SET and careers, expose learners to hands-on experience offered in these fields. It finally aims to impact on the learners’ attitudes and aspirations, to help them make informed decisions about their future.

Learners who attended the session were grade eleven and twelve learners from Cathkin, Harry Gwala, Florida and Spine Road high schools. Learners with Physical Science, Biology and Mathematics learning areas were chosen to participate in the programme.

*by Liziwe Ndalana

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Science Centre practitioners from around the country were hosted by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology for a two-day Science and Technology workshop conducted by Dr Shaheed Hartley, Director of Contract Research in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Interim Dean of Research.

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) asked Dr Hartley to develop this workshop for science centre practitioners to build capacity in science centres. This need becomes more pertinent in light of the fact that the Department of Science and Technology are planning to build more science centres around the country.

The workshop acted as a forum for science centre practitioners to share information and ideas about dealing with members of schools and the public who visit their respective science centres, as well as how to build science clubs.

Dr Hartley says, “We don’t have the numbers of people to do science shows at science centres and through this programme we hope to build critical mass of science centre practitioners.” The training is meant to help science centre practitioners with their presentation skills in physics, chemistry, technology and mathematics.

He says, “We need to get youth enthusiastic and interested in science and we can achieve this through the way we present the topics to them. We need to know our audience and be skilled in how to adapt our message and style of presentation to the people to whom we are presenting. This workshop helped participants adopt these skills.”

As part of the workshop, Dr Hartley explained how to go about organising science shows, what engages the audience, how to ensure the attention of the audience is captured, and how to organise the logistics.

In addition, the skills will enable participants to take the skills and apply it in their own environments. Dr Hartley says, “First we demonstrated different shows and thereafter the participants presented their own hands-on activities to the rest of the group. Participants moved between the lab, where they conducted their experiments, and the classroom where they demonstrated their experiments to the rest of the group.”

There are plans to continue teaching science centre professionals. Dr Hartley said, “This is the start of a series of workshops. I’ve also been asked to do mentorship in the Eastern Cape, and to assist in training in this regard.”

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The Institute of Material Science and Technology (IMST) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and African Explosives Limited (AEL) recently signed their third threeyear research contract, which will, with associated academic activities, bring in more than R5million for the University as third-stream income.

Prof Paul Slatter, head of the Flow Process Research Centre said, “the main thrust of this project revolves around the science, engineering and technology of explosive emulsions. Besides the postgraduate students who qualified on the project, the first six years have shown that this emulsion system is scientifically and technologically unique”.

This is said to have enabled the project leader, Prof Irina Masalova, to present a number of papers internationally, as well as being invited to present lectures at top universities in Europe.

Prof Slatter said Prof Masalova’s work has led AEL to institute a number of production and delivery modifications to their emulsion explosives manufacturing processes, which has added considerably to their national and international competitive edge and profitability.

“In time, this will mean a safer and more accurate blasting practice for the South African mining industry – impacting positively on one of our major foreign exchange earning industries. Looking at the bigger picture, this industrial contract will form the nucleus of a major academic programme, which will draw in a multi-disciplinary team within the IMST, as well as establish long-term collaborations in Europe and North America,” said Prof Slatter.

He said the projected life-span of this much bigger and far reaching emulsion development programme is in the region of ten to twenty years, contributing significantly to the collective vision as a new university of technology.

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The Mechanical Engineering Department at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) recently signed a revolutionary five-year contract with the French aerospace company, Airbus.

This partnership agreement signed between Airbus, the country’s National Aerospace Centre of Excellence (NACoE), CPUT and the University of Stellenbosch, highlights the country’s need for aerospace research and technology development.

The partnership is endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry and will focus mainly on human resources development, including skills training and academic research. The partnership will also seek to support the government’s strategy to transform the country’s aerospace industry into a global competitor of niche services and technologies. Dr Oscar Philander, lecturer and smart materials researcher in the Mechanical Engineering is very enthusiastic and excited about the agreement. Airbus visited all the tertiary institutions last year.

Dr Philander presented them with a demonstration of the smart materials research they were doing at the time and was awarded the opportunity to be part of this very unconventional project.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is in the process of doing research in the field of aero-morphing. This includes the use of smart materials to create more lightweight aircrafts and save natural resources and the environment in the process.

“The research we are busy with is anything but conventional. This is the future of aerospace travel and we are very proud to be part of it,” he said.

Dr Philander explained their research is concentrating on a tool that will enable the wings of an aircraft to move in accordance with the pressure from other air forces whilst at flight. He also reiterated the difference between the respective research projects the CPUT and the University of Stellenbosch are involved in.

“The research done at the University of Stellenbosch involves a more advanced version of the autonomous flight systems currently mounted in aircrafts,” he said.

Autonomous flight systems are what enable pilots to walk around within the aircraft while in flight.

“The research done at the two institutions are of utmost importance to the realisation of the aerospace goals set, but the two institutions work independently as the research they are doing is so different,” he said.

Airbus and NACoE also pledged to assist 30 post-graduate students to work on aerospace related topics.

According to Dr Philander two Masters students and one Doctoral student from each institution will be part of this initiative over the next five years.

“We are very excited to have our students taking part in such an excellent project. It will expose them to a world beyond what they have been used to so far,” he said.

By Revona Kees

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Jarryd Newman and Anton Pope, two talented Graphic Design students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (VPUT) will be flown to Pretoria in August by the South African Bank Note Society (SABNS) to present their bank note designs to the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Tito Mboweni.

This presentation will be the culmination of a national competition initiated by the South African Bank Note Society. Five finalists, three of whom will fly to Pretoria, were announced at the public viewing of the designs, coinciding with a collector’s fair that took place in the Old Mutual hall at Kirstenbosch Gardens during March.

In a briefing session in early 2007 conducted by Dr Heinz Wirz, President of the South African Bank Note Society, students were asked to design a series of five bank notes that would symbolically act as a passport for South Africa. Students were also required to design two banknotes that would be functional across the thirteen SADC countries as well as a commemorative 2010 South African bank note.

The challenge for the students was to create designs that were well researched, incorporating all the technical and security elements, while being aesthetically appealing, classic, functional and politically correct. The banknote designs, according to the objectives of the competition, should be of a calibre that would afford them the opportunity to be used as a reference when official notes are designed, if required.

Mr Lionel Franciscus, a final year Graphic Design lecturer said, “There was a good standard of work although some were better than others. It’s amazing how intricate the process is of designing money, with all the security features and technical specifications.”

Jarryd described the theme of his designs as the symbolic meaning behind the elements of the coat of arms. He said, “The meaning of each element has been translated into a South African landscape, its features and landmarks.”

Anton chose as his motifs, the main freedom fighters and Nobel Peace prize winners of our country including Nelson Mandela, FW De Klerk, Desmond Tutu, Joe Slovo, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Albert Luthuli.

The competition according to Dr Wirz aims to pre-empt research required to take action in designing new bank notes for South Africa. He also says, “Through this competition, the South African Bank Note Society hopes to raise awareness among Graphic Design students about the many facets involved in creating banknotes, as well as teaching the students about becoming good ambassadors for their designs.

*The South African Bank Note Society is involved in teaching and promotion of the hobby of collecting bank notes and the fostering of the study thereof.

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THE Cape Peninsula University of Technology again showed its devotion to education at The Aggrey Klaaste Math, Science and Technology Educator of the Year Awards held in March at Gallagher Estate in Gauteng.

Ms Melanie Sadeck, a senior chemistry lecturer in the Education department was honoured with an invitation to be part of the national judging panel at this year’s awards for the second year in a row.

The awards are the highest accolade a teacher can receive in the country and its core objectives are to identify teachers who have managed to motivate, inspire and produce good results in Maths and Science. It also serves as a reward for retired teachers in recognition of their efforts to dispel the myths linked to these subjects.

Ms Sadeck is involved in the training of future educators as well as curriculum development within the faculty. At the awards she joined the general education and training (GET) judging panel comprising of grade R to 9 teachers.

“It is an honour to have been asked to be part of the judging panel. The challenges most teachers face on a daily basis are extraordinary, especially because they still manage to deliver good results despite their respective obstacles,” she said.

“Most of the winners teach in utter poverty but manage to produce quality education to the learners. This is inspirational and deserves to be recognized. The work of an educator is challenging. When a teacher makes a difference in a child’s life by being an excellent teacher, it makes it all worthwhile,” she said.

The award also serves as a platform to meet mathematicians, scientists and other teachers who share her love for the profession. “Many of the provincial winners who automatically made it to the national awards may be coming to the department to talk and inspire the education students.” She said with the shortage of quality math and science teachers and practitioners in the country at present, the award also serves to inspire learners to pursue a career in these fields.

“We need to equip students with the necessary skills that will make them more than just an average teacher so that they can make a difference where ever they may go,” she added.

According to Ms Sadeck there is room for improvement within the awards. “I’m sure there are other teachers who deserve to be nominated and to win the award. We’ll have to look at the way teachers are being nominated by the learners, their colleagues and broader community. Since we are at the national judging level, it’s very difficult to have an input in the nominations and provincial judging levels,” she said.

* by Revona Kees

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A Centre for Innovation focusing on Craft and Design in association with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) was officially opened by Minister Tasneem Essop, Western Cape’s MEC for Environment, Planning & Economic Development.

The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI) was created to promote and grow craft as an economic sector in the Western Cape. The CCDI is a joint initiative of the Western Cape Provincial Government, the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) of the Department of Science and Technology and the CPUT.

It is a centre for innovation that provides a state of the art resourced venue aimed at encouraging design, product development and process technologies for crafters and designers in the Western Cape. This will significantly boost local product competitiveness in global target markets.

The CCDI incorporates a Fabrication Laboratory (Fab-lab) which is sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This laboratory is a high tech facility with open-source design software linked to digital desktop manufacturing technology.

The laboratory provides a platform for skilled crafters and designers in promoting technical excellence, skills upgrading, knowledge transfer and access to technology and resources that so many crafters and designers are not accustomed to.

The Fab-Lab will enable designers and crafters to create prototypes of products, catch errors before they become more expensive to correct in production and test samples of products on the market before manufacturing millions. There is no cost in using the Fab-Lab and it is open to anyone who wants help in designing and in developing fresh ideas.

“This is absolutely fabulous. I have just witnessed how crafting and technology work together synergistically by enhancing the lives of local crafters. It is stunning, honestly,” said Minister Essop.

For the thousands of poor people in the Western Cape, craft is a gateway into the mainstream economy. Crafters do not have the knowledge to market their goods or improve their skills and products. With the CCDI open to those less fortunate the impossible is now possible.

The CCDI is situated on the second floor, 75 Harrington Road Cape Town.

Bookings for a two hour guided tour that will assist designers and crafters in understanding the dynamics of the lab can be done by phoning (021) 460 3981.

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A 21-year-old teaching student, based at the Wellington Campus has been chosen to represent the Cape Peninsula University of Technology during a three week leadership trip to the United Kingdom.

Maria Louw is one of 17 South African students, who has been awarded the prestigious Abe Bailey Travel Bursary.

The bursary was established in terms of the will of the late Abe Bailey, who was a mining magnate and politician in South Africa. The aim of the bursary is to broaden the views of South African students by exposing them to different cultures.

Marog Taylor, trustee of the fund, said bursaries are awarded each year to students from South African universities, and covers the costs of a three week educational tour of England and Scotland. Taylor said students selected for the trip are those who demonstrated leadership skills at their campuses or within their community. Students also have to excel academically, said Taylor.

Louw said she never expected to be awarded the bursary. However, her leadership roles in faith based community projects in Wellington and in several cultural programmes at the campus helped her clinch the bursary.

Louw, who is currently completing her practical teaching course at Durbanville Primary School, said her chosen career also requires of her to have leadership skills.

“When you are in class, you have to take the lead,” she said.

Louw, who is from Nieuwoudtville, a small rural town in the Northern Cape, said she is positive that the trip will be a success and is looking forward to be exposed to a different culture.

“I am very excited,” she said.

Louw, along with the other students will travel to the United Kingdom on 21 November 2008.

By Candes Keating, Marketing and Communication Department

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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) recently hosted a National Scarce Skills Forum with a focus on the Engineering Faculty to address the skills shortage in the industry.
Facilitated by the Dean of the Engineering Faculty, Dr Oswald Franks, the forum sparked interesting debate around the issue of scarce skills and skills development.

According to Dr Franks the forum acted as an information sharing session where the CPUT can receive feedback from stakeholders. It also acted as a useful tool to communicate with partners to update them about the worthy contribution the CPUT has and can make in the plight against scarce engineering skills.

Mr Gwede Mantashe, Chairperson of the Technical Task Team of the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA) was invited to render the keynote address.

JIPSA is a skills project led by a committee of key cabinet ministers, business leaders, trade unionists and education and training providers. It was developed as part of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa, created by the South African government to reduce unemployment by half by 2014.

Mr Mantashe spoke about the need to create work, develop skills and deal with pertinent issues like poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS and economic growth.

The lack of skilled artisans was one of the concerns raised in the forum by numerous members of the audience. Mr Mantashe said amongst the focus areas JIPSA has identified are artisan and technical skills, with priority to those needs for infrastructure development, engineering and planning skills for the ‘network industries’ like transport, communication and energy.

In a panel discussion, panel members, Mr Mantashe, Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Anthony Staak, Ms Shirley Levendal and Mr Brian Forbes, Heads of the Co-operative Education Department, responded to questions and issues raised by the audience which included representatives of government, industry, commerce, SETA’s, staff members and alumni.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga said the CPUT, as the only university of technology in the Western Cape and the greater Northern and Southern Cape, is well placed to rise to the challenge of addressing the skills shortage in the engineering fields and in the other areas government has identified.

CAPTION: Dr Oswald Franks (Dean of the Engineering Faculty) Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga (CPUT Vice Chancellor) and Mr Gwede Mantashe (Chairperson :Technical Task Team, Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition [JIPSA]).

Click on the link below for a full copy of Mr Mantashe's speech.

FASTRACKING JIPSA: DELIVER CRITICAL SKILLS, BY GWEDE MANTASHE

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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Bellville Drama Group performed for the first time at the Grahamstown Arts Festival. The group staged the plays “Sick”, “Ma Q”, and the “Court Case”, all written by the drama group members.

The group was formed in 2002. In 2005 the group went to the Arts Festival as audience members.

“The purpose was to give group members an overview of the Arts Festival programmes. This provided the students with an opportunity to network with other tertiary institutions,” said Mr Eugene Malan, Arts and Culture Coordinator.

“The group will also perform at the Festival in Montague and the Macufe Arts Festival in Bloemfontein this year,” said Mr Malan.

“Group members meet on Mondays and Wednesdays for meetings and workshops are held every Friday,” said Anele Rosi, chairperson of the group.

“The group regularly performs at special occasions on campus. We also go to the theatre often,” said Anele.

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The Cape Town campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was host to the opening ceremony of the annual Wellness Celebrations on 31 March 2008.

The Wellness Celebrations are organised by the Student Affairs Department in collaboration with the Student Health Department and the HIV/ AIDS Unit of the institution. The Celebrations are aimed at promoting wellness and well-being to staff and students of the institution and communicating the importance of holistic living.

According to Ms Elizabet Smith (Associate Director: Student Counseling), “CPUT defines wellness in terms of seven dimensions: Physical, Environmental, Intellectual, Spiritual, Social, Occupational and Emotional. Each dimension is interrelated and development of each dimension can promote well-being and health. By embracing a holistic approach to well-being, education can move beyond just knowledge gained from textbooks. By awakening life we can promote healthier living, happier living and a good life.”

Ms Smith continues, “Wellness Day is a colourful and festive event, a celebration of life. Not just any life, but a promotion of a life well lived and a university committed to well-being. A happy, healthy university lends itself for a happy healthy society awake, fully human, and fully alive. This important concept is promoted on an annual basis in different ways on the different CPUT campuses.”

The opening event, which was hosted by KFM DJ, Sam Roy was packed with fun-filled entertainment including comedians, trapeze artists, hip hop dancers, tap dancers Tai Chi experts, and singers.

The Dean of Students, Ms Cora Njoli-Motale, addressed the students about how they should incorporate the wellness concept in their daily lives. She stated, “It’s students who are well-rounded who will become graduates.” Ms Njoli- Motale also requested to students to take a stand and make a pledge on what they want to do to improve their wellness. Students were provided with several colours of paint (each representing one form of wellness dimensions) and were requested to put their pledge on a ‘Pledge- board’.

The Celebrations also included a Wellness Market Day with a variety of stalls and exhibitions. Stalls were filled with a large selection of food, treats and jewellery.

Wellness Celebrations continued on the Bellville campus on Wednesday, 2 April 2008 in the Student Quad. As with the opening event, the Bellville event included an address by Dean of Students Ms Cora Njoli-Motal and a concert hosted by Sam Roy. In addition, wellness brochures were handed out and holistic treatments such as massages were available to staff and students.

The Bellville activities featured a Shavathon hosted by CANSA. The aim for the Shavathan was to raise cancer awareness and to raise funds for CANSA services. It involved the shaving or colouring of hair for a donation of R20- R25.

The atmosphere of the Wellness Celebrations gave an impression that the institution was in great shape. Head of Department: Student Counselling Dr AB De Villers extends a vote of thanks to all who worked very hard to make the Celebrations a success.

By Tyrone Van Heerden and Ruth Chisesa, Marketing and Communication Department

Photograph: Mbasa Boiketlo (3rd year Consumer Science- Food and Nutrition student) and Conway Maluleke (3rd year Marketing student) make a Wellness pledge.

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The official opening ceremony of the new HIV/ AIDS Unit offices of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology took place on Monday the 17th of March, 2008 at the Cape Town campus.

The event, which commenced at the Piazza and then proceeded onto the second floor of the Administration building, was jointly hosted by Phumie Mayongo (Peer Education Officer of the Unit) and Mr Ashraf Mohammed (Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit).

The aim of the ceremony was not only to open the new offices but also to appeal to students to be more aware of the crisis. This was done by marketing the Male Indaba and Female Lekgotla scheduled to take place on Wednesday the 19th of March, 2008 on the Bellville campus.

The aim of the Indaba and Lekgotla is to further market the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Campus Drive which is scheduled for the 25th and 26th of March, 2008 on the Cape Town Campus, the 27th March on Granger Bay Campus and the 9th and 10th of April on the Bellville Campus.

The ceremony was opened by Ashraf Mohammed, the Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit The keynote speaker for the day was Ms Adriana Belafonte (daughter of the famous singer and actor Harry Belafonte). Ms. Cora Njoli-Motale, Dean of Students, addressed the students in the Piazza about incorporating HIV/AIDS into Student Leadership.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) of the institution also took a stand against the national crisis. The Central Chairperson of the SRC, Saziso Matiwane, publicly stated in his address to the students that he would be tested at the forthcoming VCT Campus Drive and would encourage that all SRC members be tested. He motivated all students and staff to do likewise.

Further events of the day included a traditional dance performance by Iqhude, a positive lifestyle talk by Zintle Mobbs and Faghmeda Milleer (who are both based in the HIV/AIDS Unit) who themselves are HIV positive and render care and support to students and staff on campus) This was followed by a request by Ashraf Mohammed for all to remain standing in a minute of silence in memory of those all infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and TB.

A traditional prayer and blessing session was conducted by the by the Imbongi Just outside the new HIV/AIDS Unit offices. This was preceded by a “Guard of Honor” of the HIV/AIDS Student Peer Educators which included nine French students, two Dutch students and several students from various countries in Africa.

A candle-light procession by these Peer Educators also took place. According to Ashraf Mohammed the three lit candles held by each Peer Educator at the procession symbolised the ABC strategy of HIV/AIDS Prevention namely “Abstinence,” “Be faithful,” and “ Condomise.”

Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by Ms Cora Njoli-Motale, an interfaith prayer was conducted by Ms Matiwane Nomabhucwa a Peer Educator (who is also an SRC member).

Students and staff can contact the Peer Education Officer of the HIV/ AIDS Unit, Phumie Mayongo (tel 021 460 4253, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for further information about the VCT drive and future events organized by the unit.

By Tyrone Van Heerden, Marketing and Communication Department

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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology's (CPUT) mission to be a renowned leader in technological innovation and research was put into practice on Thursday the 28th of February when the Honourable Mr Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic, and Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Deputy President of South Africa, inaugurated the French-South African Technical Institute of Electronics (F'SATIE) at CPUT's Bellville Campus.

The historic visit was the culmination of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2006 between F'SATIE, CPUT, and the French graduate school in Paris, Ecole Superieure d'Ingenieurs en Electrotechnique et Electronique (ESIEE).

Mr Sarkozy and Ms Ngcuka were accompanied by high profile delegations from both countries' ministries, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the Tshwane University of Technology.

The visit demonstrated the confidence the French government has in CPUT's ability to produce a high level of skilled graduates in the field of electrical engineering.

According to the arrangement, a dual degree, MTech in Electrical Engineering from CPUT and MSc in Electronic Engineering from ESIEE, is now offered to postgraduate students in Electrical Engineering at the Bellville Campus. In addition to an MTech thesis, students are instructed in Research Methodology, Applied Engineering Ethics, Entrepreneurship and Engineering Management, as well as an array of speciality subjects in the fields of Real-Time Control Systems or High Frequency Engineering and Radiation Studies.

Mr François Rocaries, Director of F'SATIE, said ""The ambition of F'SATIE is to build a bigger network in South Africa between industry and other universities, and extend this network by building relationships with higher education institutions and companies in France and the rest of Europe.""

Professor Anthony Staak, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic at CPUT, ""One of the strengths of F'SATIE has been the strong linkage with industry. Much of the research is in fact geared towards addressing industry related problems. Through our involvement in F'SATIE we will not only be able to grow our research but more importantly our capacity to innovate.""

Mr Vincent Baron, Attaché for Science and Technology of the French Embassy, said ""The Department of Science and Technology of the South African Government and the Service for Co-operation and Cultural Service of the French Embassy are exploring ways to extend the experience gained with F'SATIE to other areas, such as Civil Engineering, Energy, et cetera.""

To download a gallery of photographs click here .

For more information please contact Thami Nkwanyane (Media Liaison Officer) Cell: 0832068528 or Tel: (021) 460-3363

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The Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga recently announced the appointment of 15 members of the Umalusi Council. The council members will serve a term of four years.

Head of Department: Further Education and Training at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)’s Education Faculty Dr Zilungile Sosibo was selected to serve a second term as Council member.

Umalusi was established in 2002, after matriculation examinations were decentralised and run by provincial departments through a mandate from the National Department of Education.

The Council has the key role of overseeing the governance matters of Umalusi and of monitoring and improving the quality of General and Further Education and Training in South Africa.

Her first tenure on the Council began in June 2006 ending in June 2010, after only being back in the country for just over a year.

Dr Sosibo obtained her PhD qualification in Adult Continuing Education from the University of Northern Illinois in the United States of America (USA), after which she taught South African Cinema and Literature and isiZulu at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Dr Sosibo spent ten years in the USA, most of which she spent researching and teaching whilst paying special attention to Community Colleges (similar to the country’s Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges), where she also studied a series of short courses as an adult learner.

On her return, she worked at the University of the Western Cape for a year before joining the Education Faculty at CPUT in 2006.

To add to her qualifications, Dr Sosibo obtained a Post-graduate Diploma in International Research Ethics in 2008 at UCT, which qualifies her to deal with the issues of ethics in research and recently provided the Umalusi’s Senior Manager of Statistical Information & Research with information assisting the unit in compiling the ethics policy and guidelines.

Dr Sosibo was also selected to serve on the Northlink College Council for a five-year tenure, as of February 2009.

Leaning on her expertise, Dr Sosibo applies her research in the area of adult basic education and training (ABET) to her work with education students at CPUT.

“My first two years on Umalusi Council were a learning curve, as I came to realise that Umalusi was dealing with more than just matriculation issues”, said Dr Sosibo.

Dr Sosibo added: “I’ve also learned that as a person in Higher Education, one must always keep abreast of the developments in the school sector.

“During my tenure as Umalusi Council member and Chairperson of Adult and Vocational Education and Training Advisory Committee, I hope to continue being a positive role model to students.

“I see this as another opportunity to grow the adult education sector and contribute towards the betterment of our Education system.”

In a recent press statement, the CEO of Umalusi Dr. Mafu Rakometsi, commended the outgoing Council members for achieving challenging goals and expressed elation at the appointment of the new members, stating that they would bring “added experience, knowledge and insight in to Umalusi Council”.

Deputy Minister of Basic Education Enver Surty added that “this Council was exactly what Umalusi needed to help better serve the General and Further Education and Training sector and the people of South Africa”.

The new Council held their first meeting on 28 and 29 July 2010.

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The midyear holidays saw the Cape Town Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology open its doors to 440 dedicated school learners for the annual Association for Educational Transformation (ASSET) Winter School programme.

ASSET is an NGO which provides educational opportunities to scholars from disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape.

The Winter School, which is aimed at offering extra tuition to Grade 11 and 12 learners from fourteen different development schools in the Western Cape focuses on providing extra tuition and preparing learners for the final Matric examinations. Subjects that are offered include Mathematics, Physical Science, Economics, Accounting and Life Skills. According to George Mvalo, Marketing Liaison Officer at the Research and Development department at CPUT, the course has a strong focus on goal setting and conflict resolution.

“One week of school holidays allows children to be productively engaged in worthwhile activity whilst exposing learners to a tertiary institution, which acts as an incentive for further study,” said Mvalo. He added, “The winter School is a highlight in the lives of many of these children and provides an opportunity for them to dream about their future.”

A comment made by one of the learners who attended the school certainly backed up Mvalo’s statement about the school being a “highlight”. “I liked meeting new people and making friends. The teachers were friendly and the accommodation was incredible. I hated the going home time.”

CPUT has been actively involved with ASSET and the Winter School programme for over a decade providing a service to learners in the developing Western Cape region contributing to their growth and development.

By Tyrone Van Heerden, Marketing and Communication Department

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The Cape Town Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was host to the first leg of the seventh annual Vodacom Comedy Campus Tour on 12 May 2008.

The aim of the tour, hosted by local comic Nic Rabinowitz, is to find Cape Town’s funniest student. Also performing were Z and Ndumiso Lindi, a former CPUT student who was discovered on a previous tour at the Cape Town Campus in 2004.

Students who were confident in their stand-up comedy ability were invited to do a one-minute act on a subject of their choice. The winner for the first leg of the tour was Graphic Design student Gino Fernandez who used Nelson Mandela as his subject.

Fernandez walked away with a Nokia cellphone and may have a chance to be given a slot at the 2008 Vodacom Funny Festival like CPUT alumnus Sonwabile “Sho-Sho” Sigcau who was voted the funniest student of 2007.

The tour moves to the Bellville campus on Tuesday 13 May before going to other tertiary institutions around the Peninsula.

By Tyrone van Heerden, Marketing and Communication Department

Written by CPUT News

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The UK Minister of State for Lifelong Learning Further and Higher Education, Mr Bill Rammel visited the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in December to announce the official launch of the Tabeisa Design 4 Life Africa project for South Africa.

The Technical and Business Education Initiative in South Africa (Tabeisa) has already delivered a successful pilot project with the ‘Design4Life Ghana’ competition resulting in ‘Designs 2 Sell’. This project was funded by the UK Department for Education and Skills.

It invited designers in Ghana and the UK to produce both textile and dress designs incorporating traditional Ghanaian Batik, creating a range of dresses to be made by Ghanaian fair trade groups.

The ‘Design4Life Ghana’ competition and the winning fashion designs were showcased and winners announced as the opening item of the Ethical Fashion Show, Paris, in October 2006.The project benefited from the input of a high calibrejudging panel, including leading high street buyers.

Design4Life Africa will build on the experience and success of Design4Life Ghana and will expand the programme both within Ghana, South Africa and the UK. It will build capacity within institutions to link skilled artisans and entrepreneurs in Ghana and South Africa with design flair, marketing understanding and to create products clearly ‘Designed 2 Sell’.

There will be an emphasis on involving South African retailers in the judging panels so that the competition remains focussed on producing designs that have real commercial potential, Designs produced through the competition will be donated to and manufactured by Tabeisa supported small businesses/cooperatives, offering a route to assistance with product design, an area where grassroots businesses are often lacking.

Design4Life Africa will deliver a fashion and textiles design competition across South Africa, Ghana and the UK.

The competition will be open to both existing designers as well as students. It will be strongly promoted at the seven African and English partner institutions namely the CPUT, Tshwane University of Technology, Walter Sisulu University for Science and Technology, Durban University of Technology, Coventry University and the University of Greenwich in the UK and the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana.

Design4llife Africa will be a two-stage competition. The first stage will be two national competitions, namely Design4life Ghana and Design4life South Africa. Following the announcement of the shortlisted designs for each national competition, an international fashion show will be held bringing all the shortlisted designs and their designers together for the selection of a final overall winner.

There is the potential for winning designs to be showcased again as part of the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris.

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT researchers will showcase their work and the impact they have on society at a Research Festival in the Major Sports Hall on 11 September.

“The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is proud of its suite of Research Technology and Innovation programmes, which contribute significantly to societal well-being through activities that are aligned to regional, national and international imperatives,” says Prof Marshall Sheldon, Acting DVC for Research.

“I would like to personally invite all staff members, postgraduate students and their guest to the festival, which is a first for the university,” she adds.

The Design, Development and Research (DDR) Symposium for masters and doctoral students will take place on the same day.

The themes for the Research Festival include Space, Earth, Water, People and Industry.

The objectives of festival are to, among others:

• Attract prospective students to CPUT’s exciting technological development space;
• Provide industry with an understanding of CPUT’s research, technology and innovation capacity; and
• Enhance institutional–industry collaboration in applied research and innovation.

For more information about the Research Festival contact Ansu Colditz on email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To register for the DDR Symposium email Arnaud Nzawou at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Adele Braaf at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Abigail Calata

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is throwing its doors open on Saturday and all prospective students are invited to attend the FREE Open Day.

The event, on May 7, boasts 70 stalls where you can explore a career in anything from Journalism to Marketing or Business Studies. We are the largest university in the Western Cape with faculties in Education, Business and Management Sciences, Informatics and Design, Health and Wellness, Applied Science and Engineering.

Every year thousands of graduates find work across a wide spectrum of career options thanks to the industry relevant training they receive at any one of our campuses. Our offerings include everything from credit bearing short courses to post graduate degrees and application forms for study in 2017 will be available to take home on the day. 

Open Day is happening at the CPUT Bellville Campus (ONLY) in Symphony Way between 9 and 4pm and you are advised to get there early to give yourself plenty of time to explore the variety of options on offer. 

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.

A book which raises fundamental questions concerning issues of social justice and linguistic human rights was launched during the recent Language Indaba.

The book is grounded in key interdisciplinary issues relating to multilingual perspectives, academic literacy, language as a resource and right in education, language policy, planning and implementation, language in professional contexts as well as language practice. 

Titled African Languages and Language Practice Research in the 21st Century the book was edited by four CPUT academics Professors Monwabisi Ralarala, Ken Barris and Eunice Ivala as well as Sibawu Siyepu.
“This volume was born out of a collection of papers presented at the African Language Association of Southern Africa’s 18th International Conference hosted by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2015,” says Ralarala.

He adds that the book addresses fundamental questions such as what kind of justice is meted out where the language of the accused, or witnesses, is poorly translated into English, or even distorted by the police officers or an interpreter. Another question is how do students who are rural speakers of isiZulu or isiXhosa cope with an academic environment dominated by English?

“These questions, in one way or another, concern matters of social justice, linguistic human rights; and the answers realised between the covers of this book show whether we stand at a border that can be safely crossed, or before a barrier that simply cannot be negotiated,” says Ralarala.
Published by the Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society, the book can be ordered online on www.casac.co.za.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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