Empowering young women is at the heart of an exciting initiative recently launched at CPUT.

Attendees at the inspiring EmpowHerSA-CPUT launch event, presented by the Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change and the Division of Student Affairs, were invited to join the programme as mentors or mentees with the aim of empowering undergraduate students to reach their full potential.

Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, said she was excited about the event and told the students that they could not have been at a better place than at the event, surrounded by inspiring women being part of the EmpowHer project.

She said it was sad that the playing fields were still not equal and added: “We will get there”. “What I see across the country and at CPUT is that women are taking up their legitimate space in various platforms.”

The Faculty of Applied Sciences’ Prof Beatrice Opeolu said the EmpowHer idea was conceptualised last year during her sabbatical at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

She said women globally have limitations to their career progression for many reasons, including the roles that traditions and cultures have placed on them, and this impacts on their productivity.

“We know there are opportunities mostly for postgraduate students but not for undergraduate students and that is the gap. I thought if I had opportunities as an undergraduate student that I had much later, maybe my career trajectory may be different from what it is and maybe it would be more productive.”

With two colleagues in Nigeria, Emi Alawode and Prof Ganiyat Olatunde, along with Nonkosi Tyolwana, Director of Institutional Transformation, Social Cohesion CPUT, the idea was conceptualised.

“We were able to deliver on two workshops that will empower two cohorts of students at the Federal University of Agriculture and the Olabisi Onabanjo University. For me what was interesting about those two cohorts, when we started most of them didn’t know that they could actually put a CV together.”

She said many of participants in the Nigerian cohorts now had profiles on LinkedIn and the two cohorts were vibrant and growing.

“They have been able to tap into some opportunities since we started the programme.”

Tyolwana encouraged attendees to be part of the first cohort of EmpowHer-CPUT and said there would be an induction of the mentees and mentors.

Other speakers included Central SRC secretary-general, Nonele Ganyile and Wendy Kondlo, chairperson of the District Six Local SRC while attendees were awarded the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences.

Several inspiring young women who have excelled in several areas, including sport and academics were recognised during the event.

They will be profiled during an upcoming campaign.

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

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) in partnership with the Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change (CDISC) and the Convocation recently hosted a successful workshop to conceptualise a holistic and transformative student leadership Incubation programme.

The theme of the workshop was: Preparing and Influencing the next generation Student Leaders: Incubating Change.

The organising team, which included CDISC Transformation Coordinator, Tumiso Mfisasa and Melanii-Ann Hara, Student Development Officer, acknowledged that the university has the mandate to contribute to the development of students to become global citizens who can take the country forward by making valuable inputs economically and socially. However, this can only be achieved in an enabling environment for them.

Acting Dean of Students, Nonkosi Tyolwana, presented the purpose of the symposium in which she talked about transformation and decolonisation across the academic and social architecture of universities.

The workshop was an opportune moment to shape the direction of the incubation programme to respond to this mandate. The Student Leadership Incubation programme also acknowledged that student leaders:

      
• Come from different areas of leadership such as political, academic, economic, spiritual, psychological and professional spheres and there is a need for a holistic approach that enhances graduate attributes across faculties
      
• Are members of society as they reflect their respective communities, and they need to be involved in strategic policies or opportunities available for post-university life to participate as South African, African, and global young citizens amongst others.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho said: “If we are to develop the capable state envisaged by Nelson Mandela and his Rivonia Trial Immortals, the focused development of student leadership is non-negotiable. The fact that we are specifically looking at students’ leaders is also significant. These are students who out of their own volition are actively involved in university political structures and still advance and do well in their studies will make their development as envisaged by this Workshop a worthwhile investment for any institution and indeed society.”

Reflecting on the workshop, Mfisa said: “The workshop was a huge success as it was able to host 150 participants as well as to launch and consult on the key deliverables in preparing for the next generation of student leaders.” Through the workshop the facilitators and participants developed students as future leaders and provided them with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their sphere of leadership interest be it social, academic, cultural, political, psychological, spiritual, economic and entrepreneurship through the five commissions they had.

During the workshop a platform to mentor and develop the upcoming student leaders on campus and prepare them for the world beyond university life was also witnessed. “And through the feedback the participants had provided during engagements proved to be a success as we received support from participants and where we may expand the leadership programme,” Mfisa observed.

“In that way we were able to strengthen the role of student leadership and deepen the principle of participatory democracy while teaching servant leadership values. Whereas we managed to recruit, develop, and nurture senior and aspiring student leaders who display exceptional commitment and passion in various leadership skills which proved a success for the participants.” Mfisa and Hara’s role were to facilitate and oversee all preparations of the workshop, which included liaising with all guests and arranging all workshop needs to make it a success with additional support coming from colleagues and interns within the respective offices.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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

The inaugural Food Security Colloquium served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, signalling CPUT's commitment to addressing food insecurity and fostering a supportive environment for all students.

The event was hosted by the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) and the Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change (CDISC) and the theme was: Adopting and Institutional approach to food security.

Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, emphasised the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle the issue of hunger, adding that studies that had been conducted on the topic had few solutions in terms of mitigating the problem.

She said that according to a HEMIS study, more than 60 percent of CPUT students come from indigent families.

There were currently 976 requests from students for food.

She added that the Institutional Transformation Forum, led by Prof Paul Green, had done “pioneer work” and developed the food security concept (immediate and short-term focus).

Mancom approved the concept in 2020 and requested the DSA to lead and coordinate it in collaboration with a number of internal partners.

The Vice-Chancellor constituted the Institutional Food Security Committee, chaired by Prof Joseph Kioko, to ensure that a longer and sustainable approach to address student hunger is institutionalised.

Tyolwana outlined the purpose of the event, which included, among others, gathering information from the CPUT community on solutions to the immediate challenge of food insecurity with immediate, short and long-term solutions; to discuss interventions aimed at reducing food insecurity and to discuss holistic approaches to integrating food security across the university to enhance impact.

Keynote addresses by Green and Kioko highlighted the gravity of food insecurity, not just at CPUT but nationwide. Green highlighted commendable past initiatives such as food gardens and departmental food drives and stressed the need for a formalised approach. He proposed a few strategies for discussion including food banks, voucher programmes and nutritional workshops.

Kioko echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of food security in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He outlined efforts to address food insecurity, including the acquisition of land near the Wellington Campus as well as a tractor and other implements.

“The aim of buying this was to use it for training agriculture students and whatever is produced by those students can go into feeding themselves and other students.”

The event featured panel discussions on students' experiences with food insecurity and current initiatives to alleviate hunger, as well as a plenary discussion focusing on sustainable solutions.

Key takeaways included the need for project streamlining, including a database of initiatives and a need for a forum to provide structure.

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

The Faculty of Business and Management Sciences in collaboration with the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Division of Student Affairs and Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change recently hosted a Youth Month Commemoration event at Bellville Campus.

The event, themed, “Inspire Hope in the Student of 2024”. drew inspiration from the 1976 youth, who stood up in the hope of creating the tomorrow they envisaged. Manager: Strategic Initiatives and Projects, Andiswa Mrasi, said: “Today, our students are navigating various issues ranging from GBV, youth unemployment, and AI to mention a few. Therefore, this event seeks to encourage the students of 2024 to take up space and turn fear into hope as we work hard to build a better South Africa, Africa, and ultimately, the world we want.”

The event, which was also attended by the Dean of Students, Nonkosi Tyolwana, included a panel discussion, a live performance by a well-known international musician Cairo CPT, poetry, a public lecture on the role of the late great, Archbishop Desmond Tutu during the 1976 student uprising. On behalf of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Charlene Houston said: “The Arch always said to young people: ‘Go on dreaming that we are going to have a different world to the one we live in’”.

She said the quality of education was always an important matter for Archbishop Tutu. Houston said his father was an educator, and he became a teacher. “Both he and Mrs Tutu were teachers until they understood the implications of the newly introduced Bantu Education system. They resigned in protest.” She said young leaders needed to look at what platform they have, what influence they have, and “how you can use that to make a difference”.

Houston added that Tutu always urged the “oldies” to listen to young people and he encouraged youth to use their voices and to take action. “Dream you must, but you also need to take collective action.”

She also reminded the young people that they have “a wonderful heritage, you stand on the shoulders of brave courageous, and righteous people such as the Arch, Mbuyisa Makhubu, and the youth of 1976”. “Hopefully, you participated in the recent national elections. It doesn’t stop there. Learn about the ways to stay involved…. there are many channels to do so formally or informally. As the Arch said, ‘Don’t be infected by the cynicism of oldies who believe this world can become better for all’, The baton is yours to pick up!”

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

The Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change (CDISC) in collaboration with the Institutional Gender-Based Violence Committee (IGBVC) Pillar 6: Research and Information Management Systems recently held their 1st 2024 Crucial Conversation under the theme: Voices and Spaces, Creating Inclusive Spaces” # RecognitionOfVoices.

The event which was held at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre was attended by organisations such as Triangle Project, Gender Dynamix, Commission for Gender Equality, NSP GBVF Localisation, Transgender Advocate, Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, CPUT Queer Unicorns, CPUT Student Representative Council, CPUT staff and students.

The purpose of the 1st 2024 Crucial Conversation was to provide platforms and opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to share their stories, perspectives, and experiences and to:

• Encourage open and respectful communication between diverse groups to promote understanding, empathy, and acceptance.
• Ensure that physical and digital spaces are accessible to people of all abilities, including those with disabilities, to create an inclusive environment.
• Identify and address systemic barriers that prevent certain voices from being heard or inhibiting full participation in society.
• Facilitate collaborative efforts between different stakeholders to design and develop inclusive spaces that meet the needs of all.
• Promote diversity, inclusion and foster a sense of belonging for all CPUT staff, students, and those we interact with.

Stream Coordinator: Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity, Tumiso Mfisa, said the conversation allowed open engagement showing that “CPUT should hold itself accountable for creating and maintaining inclusive spaces, with clear strategies for measuring progress and enforcing policies”.

“What stood out for CDISC is that the conversation fostered a holistic view from a local and international perspective around Diversity, Inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all in Higher Education Institutions.”

Mfisa stated that the attendees must continue the conversation in their respective spaces, as this was the start of a series of crucial conversations. “CDISC extends gratitude to the CPUT community, international visitors, organisations, NGOs, members of society and other academic institutions that attended in person or joined via the CPUT YouTube channel.”

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