CPUT’s Cape Town campus piazza was packed with students and staff this week as multi-award-winning Afro-Soul artist Lira wowed the crowds at the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) Welcoming Event and Market Day.

Packed to the rafters:  The expectant crowds wait patiently for multi-award-winning songbird Lira to perform.

The annual outdoor event is project managed by Student Development Officers (SDOs) Annette Grobler and Derek Stocken with the support of their colleagues and the technical audio-visual team.

Putting in the extra effort:  Students Affairs staff members monitor proceedings and see that all runs smoothly.

“Market Day is an initiative aimed at boosting students’ morale. Seeing as the DSA wants students to develop holistically, we feel this gives them an opportunity to grow their entrepreneurial skills, amongst other things”, said Grobler. “Last year we had Freshly Ground as part of the World Cup Kick-off promotions, so we thought that this year we needed to bring an artist that can match that standard”, she added.

Hearty Culture: The Department of Horticulture’s beautiful stand sold a variety of flowers, including daisies and red roses for Valentine’s Day, proving to be one of the busiest stalls on Market Day.

A golden performance: Lira won the South African musician of the year award in 2010. The beautiful songstress set the CPUT Cape Town campus alight with an all-round singing and dancing display that will long be remembered.

Apart from enjoying the items on sale at the stalls on display, most people gathered to catch a glimpse of one of South Africa’s most-loved and praised songstresses. Lira delivered a strong vocal performance, helping the crowd forget the sweltering heat.

Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the event was campus radio station Uni FM DJ and second year Marketing student Sikhombiso Mangcu, who did a spectacular job of welcoming the students to the new academic year and sharing the services offered by the DSA. 

Dean of Students Cora Njoli-Motale reminded students to acknowledge and practice the day’s theme ‘Peace, Love and Happiness’.  “These are the best years of your young adulthood, so while you are here to learn, to be a well-rounded individual you must also remember to have a little fun, and be safe while doing it.”

In the driving seat:  Dean of Students Affairs, Ms Cora Njoli Motale, welcomes staff and students to the Cape Town campus.

A moment in time:  Lira prepares backstage as she is about to entertain CPUT students at the Piazza on the Cape Town campus.

By:  Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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Without it thousands of people around the world would miss seeing their classmates and loved ones graduate.

Now CPUT’s highly successful live streaming project has another feather in its cap having scooped the prestigious Gold Quill Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

The Gold Quill Awards program recognizes business communication excellence globally and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry.

CPUT’s live streaming has already been recognized locally as the leader in its field from the Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education program (MACE).

It’s not hard to see why considering the live video streaming project attracted over 15 000 viewers during the recent graduation ceremonies.

The IABC award will be presented at an Excellence Gala, to be held in June in San Francisco.

“It’s great to receive an international reward for this project especially since this type of service is still in its infancy in South Africa due to a constrained broadband environment,” says Student Affairs Student Development Officer Derek Stocken.

“The Student Affairs Student Media team handle the video transmission from the venue while the website integration and streaming server management is handled by the Web Office. A great partnership with the CTS Networks division has ensured that the streaming goes smoothly with minimal impact to the network.”

Head of the Web Office Lovemore Nalube says the award puts CPUT on par with the best in the world.

Contact Derek (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to get your CPUT event, conference, workshop or seminar streamed for free.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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The first phase of a new digital signage system has gone live across the Cape Town campus recently.

The system enables any CPUT-related message, directions, videos or graphics to be displayed on any of the 36 screens scattered across the various buildings.

It was recently successfully deployed during registration to direct first years and Student Media and Events Co-ordinator Derek Stocken says it has proven to be very effective.

“Digital signage is more dynamic compared to normal signage which requires someone to design a poster, have it printed and then another person to put up that poster,” he says.

“Its primary use is to communicate messages to students and the system is available for any staff member or student structure to use.”

The system has taken two years to implement and will eventually be rolled out across all campuses.

Messages can be customised for a particular screen and can be loaded within two minutes of the request being received.

A similar system is currently in use at Harvard and the London School of Economics.

The digital signage compliments existing student communication channels like email and social media.

For more information about loading messages contact the Student Media office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 021 460 3595.

By Tauriq Salie

Written by CPUT News
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