The Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) project team, called the Community Connectors, recently visited the Siyafunda community library, which is based in a garage in Lavender Hill.

The academy affords student groups the opportunity to design their own programme and activities when engaging their targeted community organisation. These projects are aligned to Vision 2030 and the building of partnerships within society.

Apart from the Siyafunda community library, John and Gail Nicholson also started a feeding scheme about 15 years ago to help address the needs of the youth in the community.

The excitement amongst the Community Connectors was evident as they prepared their activities for the engagement with the learners from the community.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units, Centre for Community Engagement and WIL said: “What impressed me was that the students made time to research and rehearse their stories, develop quizzes, and even make their own props for the enactment of their stories. I continue to be inspired by communities who remain hopeful despite their numerous socio-economic challenges.

“Investing in the development of young minds will contribute to the upliftment of our communities and brings hope and support to organisations dedicated to serving others”.

Students interacted with the Lavender Hill learners who frequent the Siyafunda community library. Activities included storytelling, drama and plays outlining the importance of literacy and expanding knowledge through reading. During the session, learners were extremely engaged and displayed an eagerness to learn. “The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit must also commend the continued support from the internal CPUT Library services department for the collection and donation of books to the community library. This is an ongoing collaboration which will expand the footprint of the university”.

David Haarhoff, who is currently assisting the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit, stated: “The concept of bend the tree whilst it is still young, stands out for me. The children within the Lavender Hill community are exposed to various forms of life challenges including poverty, gangsterism, drugs, abuse and so much more. As a University, we have an obligation from a corporate social responsibility point of view, to bring hope to these challenging situations.

“We want to inspire the children to rise above their circumstances and to believe that they can have a successful life. The circumstances that they are currently exposed to do not have to be a norm or be a way of life. Our goal is to go about our work and plant a seed wherever we go. I am very proud of our student group for the excellent execution of this project.”

Community Engagement Academy Alumni and CESA student assistant, Sydney Hlongwane, a fourth-year Advanced Diploma in Project Management student, said: “Saturday’s project was great. We performed fun skits, distributed books and spent time with awesome kids. I was impressed by their curiosity and smart questions. They were so engaged and eager to learn. It made me happy to see them smile and have fun. These kids are so smart and talented. They are going to do great things in the future”.

Scheepers concluded: “The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit will continually strive to make a positive impact in communities through the dedication and passion of CESA leaders and alumni”.

Written by CPUT News
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A transformative Ubuntu Leaders Academy (ULA) training event, conducted in collaboration with CPUT, recently concluded at the Cape Town Hotel School.

The event brought together 10 leaders comprised of CPUT staff, Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) leaders and community leaders, who were trained as trainers, to impart their newfound knowledge and skills.

The ripple effects of this training are set to extend beyond the campus, with plans to roll out similar programmes, fostering a culture of servant leadership throughout its sphere of influence.

As a unique part of their training, the trainers-in-training also mentored 20 student leaders and leadership fellows associated with the CESA at CPUT. This training was in the form of Ubuntu Week, which was hosted in Worcester. This created a dynamic environment where both seasoned and aspiring leaders could learn and grow together. The motivational speakers at the event were Pastor Clinton Luikes and Nontutuzelo Dyakala from the A2B Centre, and Guinness World Record holder and ten-times medallist for skateboarding, Jean-Marc Johannes.

Jacqui Scheepers, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Manager, shared her thoughts on the training: The impact of the Ubuntu programme on the participants was evident in the sessions, which were interactive and included moments of deep reflection, sharing and compassion for each other’s life journeys. Sessions on bridge building were especially relevant for the work of the staff and students as part of the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units. Thank you IPAV and MIET Africa for supporting the very first ULA in Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa”.

Moses Machipisa, an Ubuntu Master Trainer who led the training, expressed his enthusiasm: "Witnessing the passion and dedication of these future leaders has been truly inspiring. It fills me with hope to know they will carry the Ubuntu philosophy forward, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities and beyond."

The CESA student leaders and academy alumni shared their experiences of ULA: Atlegang Lekabe reflected: “I have learned so many things that I did not know about myself. The importance of self-knowledge, being a servant leader, and ethics of care stood out for me. I will be able to carry that out to society and be able to make an impact, not only to my immediate communities, but to the rest of the people around the country and the world and I hope we are able to grow and make an impact through small steps.”

Another student, Lutendzo Moavi, expressed that: “I gained a lot of knowledge that I will use in the future, which helps me enhance a lot of lives. Attending the programme has been one of the best things that has happened in my life. I have gained more knowledge and learned a lot about myself and what I can change in the world in the spirit of Ubuntu. From today on I will advocate for Ubuntu and wish for everyone to be part of the programme.” Stephanie de Koker, a student assistant in the SLCE Units who participated in Ubuntu Week, said: “What stood out for me was being able to serve others in servant leadership, ethics of care. The progamme gave me more perspective as to how to do this, not just to think about myself or my circumstances but what others go through and how to share the knowledge to make their life a bit better, sharing love and care through ubuntu.”

The Ubuntu Leaders Academy, grounded in the Ubuntu philosophy, cultivates servant leaders. Its curriculum focuses on five key areas: self-knowledge, self-confidence, resilience, empathy, and service. The programme's impact is far-reaching, having involved young leaders from an impressive 183 countries worldwide.

Written by CPUT News
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Mandela Day not only honours the former stateman’s life and achievements but also inspires individuals and communities globally to devote their time and efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

As the heavy rain and gusty winds continued to batter the Western Cape on this day, the staff and students were excited to engage in a meaningful act of kindness that brought joy to children in low-resourced local schools such as Balvenie Primary School, Astra Special Education School, as well as The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children.

Led by the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Unit, the Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) project group, known as The Community Connectors, groups of staff members and students visited the classrooms at these venues and read stories to the learners. The teams also delivered an entertaining programme that included the performance of a children’s story, a quiz and other interactive activities.

SLCE Manager, Jacqui Scheepers emphasised the importance of institutional projects that express the Ubuntu philosophy through action within the communities around CPUT. “The support, teamwork, good spirits, and camaraderie displayed by staff and students from across the institution and various campuses was evidence of what could be achieved in communities when there is unity and purpose,” said Scheepers.

She also quoted Tata Madiba who said: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Scheepers said this was displayed by the CPUT community who visited three community sites to engage in activities with school learners to celebrate the legacy of Tata Madiba and express the spirit of Ubuntu as part of CPUT’s Vision 2030.

CPUT Libraries has coordinated the drop-off sites of reading materials at all campus libraries which were donated by staff and students. Scheepers said the donation of new/pre-owned books and reading materials of all genres children’s books, CDs, magazines and many more) “contributes to the educational development of our communities”, adding that reusing pre-owned reading materials is also environmentally responsible as it reduces waste.

Scheepers stated that the Balvenie Primary School Library is a long-term project site for SLCE interdisciplinary projects in conjunction with Architectural Technology, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, and Graphic Design departments. Industry and service-learning partner, Nadeson Consulting staff members joined CPUT at Balvenie Primary and handed over books, a laptop, and a printer to the library. They also raised R5,000.00 through crowdfunding for the library.

The school principal, Farieda Wakefield expressed her gratitude to CPUT and Nadeson Consulting for their kind donations and for engaging with their learners.

Wakefield said: “It's such a joy to see people come on board to invest in our community. One of our mottos at our school is always: This can be Elsie's River, but we don’t need to be like Elsie's River … One of our challenges is getting people on board to come and invest in our school… So the fact that CPUT and Nadeson Consulting came on board to have a library, I must say thank you very much to CPUT and other role players who after so many years want to see this project through…Thank you very much for whatever you're giving to the school, small or big it doesn’t matter what it is, we are just happy that at the end of the day, we will have a library to at least see what we can do to enhance the academic performance of our learners.” She added that the school needed more interventions to improve the dire situation at the school.

Regina Sikhosana, Branch Manager, Bellville Campus, brightened the room when she mentioned the available assistance from the library and said: “So we are going to adopt you until you graduate”.

In The Saartjie Centre for Women and Children's new therapeutic library, the Community Connectors and library staff sorted out the books, packed the bookshelves, and then engaged with the learners. Miriam Fredericks said: “Your support is instrumental in our ability to continue to provide essential, life-changing services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.”

The SLCE unit have undertaken to conduct a life skills programme with the hostel learners at Astra Special Education School in the future.

Scheepers also conveyed “a special thank you” to all the stakeholders, staff and students for their participation.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce and CPUT News
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