The CPUT community has shown its compassion and commitment to supporting students in need by donating generously to the Division of Student Affairs’ Food and Sanitary Drive.

Head of Department for Student Counselling, Leanie Brits, said staff, students and other institutional stakeholders donated non-perishable and sanitary items which were collected throughout July.

“The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) would like to thank the CPUT community for their caring spirit, and their willingness to make a difference. Each and every item donated will benefit a student in need.

“A special thank you to Libraries for their willingness to receive donations throughout July, DSA student peer leaders and DSA staff for their enthusiasm and support in mobilising all their networks, the Marketing and Communication Department (MCD) for the initiative to collect donations as part of the Shero Fun Run, and last but not least the staff and students from Consumer Sciences.”

She said the Biotechnology and Consumer Sciences Department collaborated with DSA to host a soup drive on District Six Campus on 18 July.

“This initiative was driven by the commitment from the Consumer Science students.”

Excluding the donations from the Fun Run, Student Affairs and CPUT volunteers packed 141 food packs and could include sanitary items in all packs.

“We have received over 400 sanitary pads collectively, of which MCD and the General Education & Training Department from Mowbray campus made bulk donations.”

Brits said the drive was continuing and invited staff and students to continue donating.

“People can still donate as student hunger remain a challenge for many unfunded students. All donations can be dropped off at Department Student Counselling, or any Student Affairs office on their respective campus. As the Dean of Students, Mrs Nonkosi Tyolwana noted during the welcoming at the Mandela Day, the Food and Sanitary Dignity drive should be a 365-day initiative, and we will brainstorm how we can continue the momentum of this collective drive.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) has launched a food and sanitary collection drive to raise awareness about food insecurity and encourage staff and students to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries.

Louisa Brits, Head of Student Counselling, expressed that this initiative aims to promote the spirit of Ubuntu and inspire a united response to a vital national challenge that affects CPUT students. Brits highlighted that the DSA recognises that CPUT students are integral to a larger community, embodying the resilience needed to address the psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges faced by many South Africans.

 “These trends and challenges are thereby also affecting the development and success of the student at CPUT. It is through the work of DSA that we seek to address various challenges through different interventions that may impede the health, wellness, and success of the student at CPUT. One such challenge is food insecurity,” she remarks.

Some of the objectives are as follows:

• To raise awareness and sensitise the CPUT community about food insecurity and period poverty.
• To mobilise various internal and external stakeholders to contribute food, toiletries, and sanitary products to support students in need.
• To strengthen the institution's commitment and establish a unified approach toward promoting student wellness and success.

“We encourage all staff and students to form a unified stance and demonstrate the values of Ubuntu and come out to support our 2025 Mandela Day drive as a call to action under the theme: 'It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”

Donations of various non-perishable food items and sanitary products can be made at multiple locations across all campuses. The designated donation points include:

• Student Counselling Offices
• Campus Health Clinics
• HIV Unit Offices
• Disability Unit Offices
• Library Circulation Desks
• Student Centres (District Six and Bellville) and the Student Housing Reception
• All Residence coordinators’ offices at their respective student residences

In addition, faculties, departments, and units can bring their donations on July 18 and July 31 at the following locations, Bellville Campus: Sports Hall and Student Centre from 10 am to 2 PM.

Brits said the students are facing significant challenges related to food security and sanitary needs, which affect their academic and personal success. While there are several food security initiatives in place at CPUT, there is a continued need for supplies and resources to empower service departments to assist students discreetly with various health and psychosocial issues. These departments require non-perishable items to maintain ongoing support for our CPUT students.

“We therefore call to action the CPUT student and staff community to join DSA in a joint food and sanitary drive to contribute to and promote student wellbeing and success, by donating towards our Mandela Month drive.

“We challenge all faculties, departments, units, and residences to participate in the donation drive and compete to “Out-donate, out-give, outshine!” on 18 July, during which we will have 67 minutes for the Mandela Day event to receive donations, and together pack and sort donations. The drive will conclude on the 30th of July with a final donation sorting and packing initiative.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Believe in what you can do, and you will overcome any obstacles in life.

This is the message the new Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, wants to convey to students as she starts her new role.

Tyolwana, joined CPUT in 2018, and previously held the position of Director: Institutional Transformation, Social Cohesion and Diversity.

She continues her message to students as follows:

“Being successful is easy if you choose to do it. It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes. Making mistakes is a great way to learn since you will remember every single one of them and won’t repeat them. Don’t you ever doubt your ability to succeed. You will be the person you want to be and achieve your dreams as long as you work hard for them. Mistakes are inevitable. Always learn from them, and they will help you improve every time.”

Her main priorities as Dean will include the following key issues:

Ensuring the implementation of Division of Student Affairs (DSA) strategy that is aligned to Focus Area 7: Student engagement and experiences: Vision 2030 strategy.

Ensuring the implementation of and monitoring of key departmental student-centric strategic goals to ensure “Oneness and smartness” as a DSA family.

Ensuring the professionalisation of student affairs staff in line with DHET requirements.

Enhancing holistic and transformative development and wellness of our students to enhance access, success and retention.

Ensuring the implementation of Student Parliament to ensure the accountability of the SRC to CPUT community.

Facilitating the Student Leadership Incubation to enhance CPUT’s graduate attributes and prepare them for the life beyond student life.

Eliminating all forms of abuse, harassment, GBV and other forms of discrimination, xenophobia, sexism and other “isms” phobia

In line with this, her favourite quote is by late President Nelson Mandela.

“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.”

Outside of work Tyolwana volunteers to do transformative community work and also enjoys reading.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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