THROUGH sheer hard work and dedication CPUT students have managed to raise almost R60 000 for charitable causes.

Office Management and Technology students hosted an annual fundraising day at both Cape Town and Wellington campuses this month.

And in a separate event, post-grad students who stay on residence in Bellville washed cars and hosted sports days to raise cash for a needy Philippi school.

First-year Business Administration students managed to hand over an impressive R54 000 to the Children’s Hospital Trust - almost R10 000 more than what they raised in 2010.

Office Management & Technology Programme Co ordinator Mandie Richards says students selected the Red Cross after a presentation from the Children's Trust Marketing department.

“A representative explained how the funds raised by the students often save lives and provide necessary healthcare for children,” she says.

“All those who support this cause can be assured that every cent raised will go towards the care for the children.”

Meanwhile, Bellville’s post-grad students have committed to a three-year relationship with the Naluxolo Primary School in Samora Machel.

NEEDY: Postgraduate students have a three-year relationship with Naluxolo Primary School in Samora Machel.

Last year students donated R5000 which helped start a much-needed library and this year they handed over a cheque for R4450.

House Committee Chairman Walter Ngobeni says their donation of cash, old clothes and books may not be huge but made a big difference to the primary school learners.

“For example the shack where one of the learners lived burned down so the clothes we donated will go to his family,” he says.

“Next year will be our final year helping Naluxolo Primary and then we will move on to another school.”

WORTHY CAUSE: Staff and students from Naluxolo Primary school with CPUT Post Graduates.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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First-year students in the Department of Office Management and Technology donated almost R250 000 to the Children’s Hospital Trust over the past five years.

As part of their Business Administration 1 syllabus, students embark on an entrepreneurship project in which they are required to raise funds for the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

Having raised almost R250 000 for the hospital, CPUT now has plaques on the hospital’s donor walls.

“I think this is a major achievement not only for the students but for the Faculty of Business and the Institution as a whole,” says lecturer Belinda Berman.

Berman says what motivates the department to keep donating to the hospital is that all monies raised by the students and donated to the Trust are directly used on the projects selected and no part of the funds go to staff salaries or administrative costs.

It takes the students two and a half terms to put the project together, which culminates on a Market Day where each group sells its products such as food, snacks and sweets on campus. However, in line with the hospital’s values, no alcoholic or tobacco products can be sold.

Besides equipping the students with holistic skills which are essential, the department promotes social responsibility as the donation to the hospital responds to a social need in not just the country, but the continent as a whole, says senior lecturer Mandie Richards.

From the project, the students acquire various skills including diversity management, business and administrative skills, teamwork, creativity, conflict resolution as well as managing finances.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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