Toward the end of the third semester, the Clothing and Textile Technology (CTT) Department hosted its annual Open Day as part of going the extra mile to bring the classroom experience to prospective students.

Led by Dr Elspa Hovgaard, the department falls under the Engineering Faculty and offers Certificate, National Diploma and BTech qualifications in Clothing Management. The courses aim to equip students to conduct basic research, analyse and implement systems and policies, and combine a wide range of clothing-related technological knowledge, skills and experience with a specialised area of clothing technology.

Around 300 Grade 12 learners from schools across the Peninsula experienced firsthand what CTT has to offer and toured the facilities. Lecturers and students chaperoned the inquisitive learners through the sewing, pattern and scanning rooms and assisted them with fun activities during an introductory lesson about the course.

Worcester High’s Grade 12 teacher, Gizela Noble, said this event not only serves as an educational excursion, but also as an eye-opener for the school’s learners.

“Our school has been attending the CTT open day for the past three years and every year we jump at the opportunity to be apart of it. Teenage pregnancy, unemployment and drug abuse is on the rise in so many communities, so visiting higher education institutions such as CPUT, enables them to be exposed to more opportunities in life other than what they experience and see on a daily basis. The learners always leave feeling inspired to achieve their goals,” Noble said.

Grade 12 learner Lwandile Mputuma from Manzomthombo Secondary School in Mfuleni was one of the many learners who enjoyed practical aspect of the course and said the Open Day motivated him to pursue a career in textile design.

“Although we have done some of the work in class, it was interesting to see the different machines and how it all comes together. After this visit I am really looking forward to my future,” he said.

Department Secretary and Open Day planning co-ordinator, Charlene Parenzee, said the 70 schools who attended came from as far as George, Worcester and Saldanha.

“The schools which attended were particularly invited because of the subjects related to the course, such as consumer studies which they offer at their schools. [I believe] the Open Day was a huge success and the learners showed a lot of enthusiasm; we are extremely pleased with the positive response” said Parenzee.

Edited by: Thando J. Moiloa
Photos by: Sonia Koopman

Written by CPUT News
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The Department of Clothing and Textile Technology will host its annual Open Day this week.

Set to take place on Thursday at the Bellville campus, this popular event gives learners an insight into the exciting world of Clothing and Textile Technology.

The course is the only one of its kind offered in the Western Cape and each year graduates are snapped up by some of South Africa’s top clothing companies.

Event Organiser Charlene Parenzee says this year learners and other visitors to the Open Day can expect an informative and interactive event.

“Learners will participate in a dyeing project in our textile laboratory and will also take part in a draping project in our pattern rooms,” she says.

Learners will also get to see a clothing production line in operation and enjoy a tour of the department’s state-of-the-art facilities.

All schools and private persons are invited to attend the Open Day. To book please contact Parenzee at 021 959 6466 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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A stack of playing cards and poker chips are coming in very handy during lessons at the Clothing and Textile Technology Department.

At CPUT, teaching is all about thinking out of the box and introducing pioneering ways to help students reach their full potential.

So, when Extended Curriculum Programme students in the Clothing and Textile Technology Department were battling with mathematics, lecturer Bernadette Millar introduced some new teaching methods in her class.

Each week, students are divided into groups of two and play a variety of card games, where they are required to use the numbers on their cards to multiple, subtract or do divisions. They also use poker chips and dice to brush up on fractions.

And Millar has proof that her methods are working. During the past few months, students’ marks have increased, while others who were failing are now passing their numeracy test.

Student Noncedo Buso who was battling with multiplication says the card games have helped improve her skills.

“I like using the cards. I find it helps me to do multiplication,” she says.

Student Awonke Kani describes Millar’s classes as fun and interactive. Awonke says he now has a much better understanding of numeracy.

Millar says the key to the games is to move students away from calculators and show them how to use their minds.

“The students are getting better all the time,” she says.

But Millar’s efforts don’t just stop there. She is also making sure students brush up on their language and public speaking skills. Students are required to do free writing in class, where they write uninterrupted for several minutes on a topic.

They also participate in a book club and each week students present on their novels.

By Candes Keating

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After a jam-packed week of exciting Orientation activities, thousands of first-year students are expected to report for class this week.

First-year Clothing and Textile Technology students, who ended their Orientation Week on a high note, said they are looking forward to attending their first official lecture.

Twenty-year-old Mica Lee, who is passionate about fashion, said: “I am really looking forward to my first year of studies.”

Lee said Orientation helped ease her into her new life as a CPUT student. Sessions with their lecturers and other student support departments gave them insight into what can be expected of first-year students.

Her classmate Mansoor Galant, is also looking forward to the 2012 academic year. The 18-year-old, who matriculated from Alexander Sinton High in Athlone, said he is positive that he will enjoy the course as it was something he always wanted to pursue. 

But it is not only first-year students who are looking forward to class.

Lecturer Bernie Miller said: “I’m very excited about the year because the students have the right attitude towards their studies. They are expectant of the course.”

Another lecturer, Nommiselo Tyalana, who will teach first-years, said all is in place to ensure a smooth start to classes this week.

Tyalana said the department, which falls under the Engineering Faculty, registered 75 first-year students, of which some will follow the Extended Curriculum Programme.

The course is the only of its kind in the Western Cape and attracts a large number of students each year.

CPUT’s Clothing and Textile Technology graduates are also highly sought after in the industry for their specialist skills.

By: Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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A visit to the Clothing and Textile Technology Open Day on 7 August 2014 is a must for all those interested in pursuing an exciting career in the clothing and textile industry.

From developing new textiles to setting the latest fashion trends, a qualification in Clothing Management will allow graduates to be part of the dynamic and exciting clothing and fashion industry.

On 7 August 2014, the Clothing and Textile Technology Department will showcase this three-year course, which is offered at the CPUT Bellville Campus.

Currently, CPUT is the only institution in the Western Cape offering the Clothing Management programme.

The programme is internationally recognized and each year its graduates are snapped up by some of South Africa’s top clothing and textile companies.

Visitors to this year’s Open Day can expect to get first-hand information on this exciting course from students and staff.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the various pattern rooms, textile laboratories and will get to see a clothing production line in operation. A number of interactive activities are also planned for the day.

The Open Day will take place on the Bellville Campus, in the Arts and Design Building from 9am till 4pm.

Please note that bookings are essential. Contact Charlene Parenzee on 021 959 6466 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Department of Clothing and Textile Technology Lecturer and Curriculum Officer, Dr Sweta Patnaik, and Manager - Technology Station Clothing and Textiles, Shamil Isaacs, have won an international e-learning Excellence Award at the ECEL 2022 21st European Conference on e-Learning.

The awards ceremony was conducted at the University of Brighton, United Kingdom, where they we were presented with their certificate.

The award is to showcase innovative examples of e-Learning use. These examples are presented through case histories which can be written by academics, teachers, business professionals or students. The pair have created an integrated project around sustainability in clothing and textiles and entrepreneurship for exit level third-year students. The students worked around the project throughout the semester and there were multiple activities they had to achieve and meet their learning outcomes, e.g. surveys, market research, polls, creating an artefact, multilingual digital storytelling videos, final report and presentation which was assessed by the community. They were expected to create sustainable consumer preferred products out of waste i.e., clothing offcuts and fabric swatches which were freely handed down by retailers… “For this award category we created a google sites page from scratch where all the information shared within is of low-tech data for anyone to access and learn. This is the link to the website with embedded YouTube videos,” Patnaik remarks.

She continues: “We had to create all this and go through three stages to be finally invited as a finalist and then there at the conference through two rigorous processes to be shortlisted, therefore this winning came as a big surprise, and we enjoyed every moment of it along with our students. We had 12 strong competitors from all over the world, Microsoft USA being one of them who have been shortlisted as finalists for two consecutive years. Overall, the project has augmented learning in various forms:

• Self-directed learning
• Peer to peer learning
• Collaborative and constructive learning
• Creating a community of practice
• Building in entrepreneurial knowledge.”

Reflecting on this feat, Patnaik says: “Milestones are accomplished over time from achievement after achievement. I feel very accomplished to have achieved this milestone in my life. It took a lot of work, but I am grateful that we not only achieved this but also touched on a very important aspect which speaks to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) goals such as sustainability. Not only this, but it has also helped in putting our department, faculty, and institution on the global arena all over again.”

Patnaik, who’s the first recipient within CPUT to win the DAAD UNILEAD Germany leadership course for the year 2021 and NMU rising star for the year 2020 adds that her students are the reason for her success “so all credit goes to them”. “If you ask me about my attributes to success then that must be the following: passion, optimism, persistence, creativity, self-discipline, a desire to Improve and a commitment to Learning.”

Issacs says they are using an e-learning platform and mode of delivery to teach students about Entrepreneurship within the framework of environmental sustainability, “in this case, adding value to waste material”.  “At the same time transferring this knowledge to disadvantaged communities as a means for them to generate an income,” Isaacs continues.

“Hopefully through these, students are spurred on to entrepreneurial endeavours and at the same time have an awareness of sustainability both from an environmental perspective and social /community perspective.  This award gives recognition to the role universities can play in transforming society.”  

Patnaik says the award gives her recognition and a platform globally to take the work to another level. “To the department of Clothing and Textile Technology as well as to the Technology Station, Clothing and Textiles it showcases the kind of work that we do and how it adds and enhances student exposure and knowledge. We are contributing towards CPUT’s Vision, its seven focus areas and its emphasis on SGDs, which we portray through our work.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The hard work has paid off for Odette Fourie, National Diploma: Maritime Studies graduate, as she was rewarded with the Dean’s Merit Certificate for her outstanding academic performance over the three years of study.

During the Dean’s Excellence Awards ceremony yesterday at Saretec on the Bellville campus, the Second Navigating Officer was awarded the Dean's Medal in absentia. Reflecting on her success and studies at CPUT, Odette said: “What attributed to my success was that I worked hard… Ms Leonie Louw, Mr Francios Conradie, Ms Samantha Montes, Ms Natasha Fowkes were amazing lecturers.”

She was born in Pretoria and attended high school at Mount Edmund Christian Brothers College, matriculating in 2009. Odette then completed her BCom degree in Business Management at the University of Pretoria in 2013. She later completed her BCom Honours degree in Business Management at the University of South Africa in 2015.

In 2017, she enrolled for the National Diploma in Maritime Studies at CPUT to fulfil her passion for going to sea.  After completing her first year, she spent two years at sea onboard cargo vessels. She returned to complete the remainder of her qualification before the phase-out of the National Diploma. 

 She obtained an average of 87.7%, obtaining distinctions in all 29 subjects. She is sailing as a Second Navigating Officer and aims to get her Master Mariner Unlimited License.

In her welcoming speech, Professor Marshall Sheldon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, said the Dean’s Excellence Awards is a celebration and acknowledgement of “your academic performance” and is awarded to the top performing National Diploma and BTech/Advanced Diploma qualifications in each department. “The fact that you are celebrated here today as the performing student in your qualification means that despite the challenges experienced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021, you persevered and succeeded.”

Sheldon added: “Your hard work and dedication will present wonderful and unexpected opportunities…That as you go out into the world, you remember the communities from which you come [from].” The faculty also rewarded the top students from each department.

Among those who received departmental awards was Clothing and Textile Technology student Basheerah Schroeder, who said: “I feel honoured to be surrounded by fellow students who have strived for excellence. After the struggles of studying during COVID-19, this is very rewarding.”

Another Clothing and Textile Technology student, Micha Williams, said: “The awards ceremony was very emotional for me as it showed that my hard work over the past three years has paid off. The speakers also encouraged me to study further.”

Ayesha Williams received the Dean’s Top Student Award, a national diploma/diploma and a BTech/advanced diploma combined.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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The Department of Clothing and Textile Technology, in partnership with the Cape Town Society for the Blind (CTSB), produced 100 graduation gowns for the non-profit organisation (NPO). 

The Salt River-based NPO offers various training courses throughout the year and, in the past, hired gowns for their graduation ceremonies, which was not financially viable.  Their mission is to develop the abilities and skills of blind and visually impaired people by offering training, career development and small business skills, with courses ranging from six to 18 months. The graduation ceremonies take place on an annual basis.  

“As the goal of the project was to produce  100 graduation gowns, the project’s main purpose was to simulate the actual product development and manufacturing processes as applied in the clothing industry,” explained Nina Drotskie,  a lecturer and Cooperative Education Coordinator in the Department of Clothing and Textile Technology.  CTSB Occupational Therapist Shaakirah Karjieker added that the project derived from CTSB’s search for patterns to create their own graduation gowns.

“We usually hire gowns, but that is quite costly. We approached CPUT and were made aware that due to COVID-19, many students in the Clothing and Textiles Technology department were struggling to find internships/placements. This is when the project was initiated.”

The project involved CPUT 4th-year students creating 100 graduation gowns for CTSB.

“We thought it was a wonderful idea to assist CPUT as they needed a special project to assist their 4th-year students in completing the practical component of their studies. We also created a space for two CPUT students to be placed in our weaving department for three months to complete their practical.”

This was separate from the graduation gown project.

“It was a wonderful collaboration that benefited many students. We look forward to future placement and projects with the University,” Karjieker added. 

Drotskie stated that the students were divided into teams and were required to develop and generate all technical information required to produce the product.  Students were supplied with actual garments and needed to create a size chart, technical drawings, and garment breakdown and provide recommendations on manufacturability.  “Using their initial research, they drew up the allocation of work tasks and established times and rates of work to produce the product within the required time. The patterns were generated and graded by the Technology Station’s patternmaker, Leon Coetzee, and cut work completed by Fezile Gqotile within the department’s sewing labs,” she said.

CTSB took the first delivery of the garments in December 2021, and the balance was handed over at a recent ceremony at the Centre. “Students were fully supported by staff at CTSB and completed projects related to alternative materials to cane for the final year project. Being placed in an environment that supports differently abled individuals inspired the students, and they were happy to contribute to the project,” Drotskie enthused.

“We are extremely grateful for the contribution and assistance from the staff at Cape Town Society for the Blind, who were part of the product development from the start.  Special thanks to Shaakirah Karjieker, Marisa Teles and Sandra Dreyer for driving the project from their side.” 

Reflecting on the project, Karjieker said: “I would like to thank CPUT and Nina Drotskie for their hard work and effort. I can easily say that CPUT, especially the Clothing and Textiles Technology Department, truly cares about its students and their future. The standard of service is amazing, and it would be a pleasure to work alongside the university again.” 

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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