Students from the IT, Accounting, Internal Auditing, and Marketing Departments have received a major boost following a generous million-Rand donation by the BANKSETA.

The CPUT/ BANKSETA Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Initiative aims to bolster the university’s commitment to give students the hands-on, practical skills needed to thrive in the working world.

The donation will be channelled through the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, who are tasked with creating and sustaining experiential learning opportunities for students in the workplace.

The funds will incentivise businesses to give students on-the-job training and mentorship and the all-important exposure to the working world that sets our graduates apart. Co-operative Education manager, Fundiswa Nofemela, says she’s delighted at this collaboration between the university and the BANKSETA.“Work experience is often the determining factor in whether or not new graduates find employment.  Now many more students will have access to such experience, which is an invaluable asset in today’s tough job markets. “The initiative is yet another successful project created and driven by the Advancement Department.Director Milcho Damianov believes the unique partnership has enormous potential to shorten the painful journey of graduates to the workplace.But, he says, the benefits extend to employers as well, as they have increased access to high-calibre, skilled graduates to meet their recruitment needs.“It’s definitely a win-win situation – and we believe this is just the start. We have now created a formidable platform for exploring partnerships with different industries, helping both the marketplace and our students. “

Written by Janyce Weintrob

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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) donated bed linen to Western Cape’s fire victims in January.

The two loads of linen were handed over to Red Cross South Africa to distribute accordingly to those in need.

The linen, which includes 160 cushions, 136 blankets, 62 bedspreads, 294 flat sheets, and 130 pillowcases was availed by the institution after new linen was purchased for use by students at its various residences.

Mr. Sizwe Nduku, Head of Asset Control at the Cape Town campus, said, “In light of the recent shack fires that have ravaged many parts of Cape Town and surrounding areas, we as an institution saw it fit to contribute in whatever way we could in helping out those fire victims, hence the donation of these blankets, pillows, sheets etc. These were donated to SA Red Cross who in turn will distribute them to the affected areas.”

“This is in line with the objectives of the institution’s social responsibility programme, whose main aim is to help out the underprivileged and the poor,” he said.

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First-year Office Management and Technology students overdid themselves this year by donating R55 600 to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital Trust (RCCHT).

This is the most money CPUT students have ever donated to the RCCHT. Last year’s efforts saw them raise R54 000. 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: First-year Office Management and Technology students sold various types of foods during this year’s Market Day on Cape Town and Wellington campuses to raise funds for the children’s hospital

For the past six years, first-year students in the Department of Office Management and Technology have been working together with the Trust, in a bid to make a positive impact on the lives of many children in South Africa.

Annually the students divide into groups, compile a business plan and set up stalls at the department’s Market Day.

The student groups on Cape Town and Wellington campuses were extremely innovative with their fundraising initiatives. 

The products they sold were both tantalizing and delicious.  A variety of products were on offer, from fruit salad for the health-conscious, to fast foods and decadent cakes and candy for those with a sweet tooth.

Not only did the RCCHT benefit from the Market Day, the products and ingredients which remained were donated to the Haven Night Shelter in Woodstock. 

The overall winner was the Cape Town campus group Food-4-Thought, which raised the highest profit of R10 000.

By Kwanele Butana

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A group of first-year Industrial Design students reached out to those less fortunate recently when they took part in the Santa Shoebox Project.

The project is a community initiative that oversees the donation, collection and distribution of Christmas gifts to underprivileged children in South Africa and Namibia. Contributors to the project select children from the Santa Shoebox website to send personalised shoeboxes to.

Inspired by the cause, the group of Industrial Design students made several boxes, the contents of which included educational supplies, a toy, clothing, sweets, toothbrush and toothpaste, facecloth and soap.

Aiming to put a smile on as many faces as possible, the project hopes to deliver 100 000 gift boxes to children in Cape Town this Christmas, and many more to children across the country.

For more information about Santa’s Shoebox visit www.santashoebox.co.za

By: Nurahn Ryklief

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Thanks to a donation from the Technology Innovation Agency, CPUT now boast the latest 3D design technology software for clothing product development.

This cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing clothing production, by helping the industry to cut down on prototype cost.

The software, which is housed at the Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles, allows a designer to develop a pattern on a CAD system and then develop a 3D simulation of a garment that can be shown on a virtual mannequin. 

Head of the station, Shamil Isaacs says the new software will allow them to provide innovative support to SMMEs.

And to ensure staff has the know-how, Prof Michael Ernst of the University of Niederrhein in Germany recently spent a week showing the station’s staff along with their colleagues from the Fashion and Clothing and Textile Technology Departments how to operate the software.

Prof Ernst, who holds the chair in Textile Product Development at his university, says the software is being used across the word and is proving to be a success.

He says the possibilities are endless, allowing users to do various adjustments on the virtual mannequin before producing a product. Users can change styles, sizes and even the type of materials.

Prof Ernst says the software will make a huge impact on teaching and learning at CPUT.

By Candes Keating

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The Faculty of Business donated ten boxes of food and clothing to The Haven Night Shelter for homeless adults.  

The shelter is located in close proximity to the university’s Cape Town campus and houses close to 100 homeless adults.

Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business Ivan van der Heever says the donations were received from the faculty’s staff members as part of the Mandela Day Project.

 “We decided to start with the community that’s closest to the campus,” he says.

Sheila Jacobs, manager at the shelter, welcomed CPUT’s donation.

She says part of their mission is to find permanent homes for homeless individuals, whether with their relatives or any other parties.  

The shelter has a social worker who assesses new clients’ needs as well as a skills trainer who provides training in various fields.

Jacobs says they also have several fieldworkers who patrol suburban areas and rescue homeless individuals who are taken in by the haven. Individuals can stay at the shelter for up to nine months.

To carry out its mandate, the shelter relies on donations from the community and funding from the Department of Social Development.

The faculty is currently looking at further collaborations with the shelter. 

By Kwanele Butana

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The Biocatalysis and Technical Biology (BTB) research group has set up a state-of-the-art regional research facility.

Thanks to a substantial donation from the National Research Foundation and CPUT, the BTB research group has purchased and set up a Liquid Chromatograph - Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) machine at their Bellville-based unit.

This specialised machine is used to identify and analyse small organic compounds that are found in a number of substances, ranging from water to packaging material.

The machine is highly sought after in industry, with only a few universities in South Africa housing such facilities.

Head of the BTB research group, Dr Marilize Le Roes-Hill, says the machine along with other research equipment, has been set up as a regional research facility, providing researchers from across South Africa access to this specialised equipment.

“A decade ago this machine was very scarce. Researchers had to send their samples overseas. This was an expensive exercise and took a very long time. As a result, research in many areas was limited,” she says.

Researchers have the option to come to the facility and learn how to operate the machine and conduct their own tests. Alternatively, they can send their samples to the facility, where CPUT researchers will conduct the necessary tests and analyses.

Dr Le Roes-Hill says this facility will open up doors for new research collaborations and will also allow CPUT researchers to broaden their scope of research.

The unit has already met with representatives from several universities, who are looking at possible collaborations with CPUT researchers.

For further information on this facility and charge rates contact Dr Tukayi Kudanga at 021 953 8497.

By Candes Keating

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In a bid to make a difference in poor communities in the Western Cape, the Department of Students Affairs supplied shoes to more than 600 needy children.

With the help of Crocs shoe manufacturers, the department was able to supply 690 pairs of Crocs to learners at Kalksteenfontein Primary and two local charity organisations. The donation from the shoe manufacturer totaled R207 000. Principal at the school, Jeff Arendse, said the learners were “over the moon” with the donation.“Our learners were so excited when I called them out to take receipt of their Crocs.

They were really happy to get it because they seldom receive anything,” he said. Arendse said many do not have shoes and will now be able to wear the Crocs to school. The Department of Student Affairs has been working closely with Kalksteenfontein for the last eight years. Arendse said they treasure the relationship with CPUT and its staff members who have contributed to the school.“Thanks to all of them who have given so much of themselves to make a difference here at our school,” he said.

Student Development Officer, Annette Grobler, said the department has assisted the school with obtaining a container that is currently used as a library.The department also ran a soup kitchen, organised hikes for females learners, sponsored books, completed maintenance work at the school and hosted a women’s day event for mothers in the Kalksteenfontein community

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A R100 000 donation by humanitarian organisation, the Iqraa Trust, is set to boost an innovative programme designed to give food security to the communities surrounding CPUT’s Wellington campus.

“Our donation of R100 000 will be used as a start-up funding for the Food Security and Agricultural Livelihoods Programme (FSALP),” says Mahmoud Youssef Baker, Chairman of the Iqraa Trust.

“This will see some 80 households being trained to feed and support themselves and other community members through the sale of their surplus veggies.”

Participating community members have already begun a series of modular, very hands-on training sessions, and will ultimately produce fresh vegetables from “back-yard” type gardens.

EMPOWER: A group of community members with students and staff of the Agriculture Department following a training session

“Iqraa Trust’s mission is to uplift the quality of life of all South Africans by helping those in need due to poverty and disease,” says Baker.

“We’re delighted to be involved in this initiative, which will see CPUT both implement and supervise the project and give its students an opportunity to engage in research and practical farming training.”

FSALP Programme Coordinator Ben Saaiman thanked Iqraa Trust for their generous donation and says Phase 1 of the training has so far reached 36 participants.

“Phase 2, which begins just after the September recess, will target the remaining identified households from Mbekweni, Newton, Van Wyksvlei and Dal Josaphat.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
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CPUT students have raised yet another donation to assist with renovations and the redesign of the Red Cross Children’s Hospital.

Hot on the heels of October’s cheque handover to the hospital by a different group of CPUT students, students in the Marketing and Entrepreneurship departments recently handed over a R30 000 cheque to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital.

Last month, Business and Information Administration (BIA) students donated a cheque of R54 300 to the hospital. This took the total donations the hospital received from BIA students in the last ten years to R430 685.

During the recent official cheque handover Marketing lecturer Tania Petersen explained that for years the university hosted annual Market Days to raise funds for worthy causes but these were disrupted by campus unrest.

Petersen added that the students in the audience were members of groups that raised the most funds for the project in their respective departments. She congratulated the students for a challenging job well done.

This was the first time students in the two departments were donating money to the hospital as in previous years they donated to other charity organisations.

The Head of the Marketing Department, Mandy Jones, said Petersen once won a teaching award as a result of her coordination of the fundraising project.

“It’s not only about the money but also about impacting learning on the students as the skills obtained from the project will remain with the students forever,” said Jones.

Dr Lawrence Tengeh, Head of the Entrepreneurship Department, said the university wants to produce entrepreneurs who are responsible. “You are showing us that once you have a lot to give you’ll give back to the community,” said Tengeh.

Pauline Solomons, a Fundraiser at the Children’s Hospital’s Trust, said the hospital’s doors are open to the students for a tour as well as to ask about anything they need to know about the hospital. She encouraged the students to continue giving donations to the hospital.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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In a show of neighbourly support, the Unit for Applied Law donated cash, toys and stationery to Holy Cross Primary School.

The school, which is situated in Zonnebloem, was recently dealt a major blow when a fire razed parts of the buildings.

Lecturers Ishrat Hoosain, Servious Hungwe and Ulrich MacKay said it took them two weeks to raise the donations. “It’s an ongoing project,” said Hoosain.

Nomthandazo Zweni, headmistress at Holy Cross Primary, said she was overwhelmed by the community’s response to the news of the fire.

“I didn’t expect all the donations from the God-sent people,” said Zweni. “We thank the Lord for the support we received, especially from the District Six community.”

She added that almost all of the school’s 518 pupils have been in attendance since the school caught alight.

Milton Emmett, the school’s maintenance foreman, said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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Over 100 disadvantaged students at CPUT will now be able to graduate free of student debt thanks to a R2.5 million donation from the FNB Fund. 

The donation will settle the outstanding fees and enable the students to receive graduation certificates which declare them eligible for work opportunities. CPUT Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo says he is encouraged by the Fund’s willingness to assist needy students.

“A donation of this magnitude makes a huge difference to the lives of the 106 students who are now able to enter the world of work armed with their qualifications. This donation bolsters our Vision 2030 ambitions which aim to advance our fundraising and brand building efforts,” says Dr Nhlapho.

Howard Arrand, Chairman of the FNB Fund says education is one of the key focus areas for the FNB Fund, from Early Childhood Development to tertiary education.  

“We believe that empowering young minds with skills is essential to creating a knowledge-based economy and shaping future leaders,” he says.

“Our motivation to play a meaningful role in our developing economy has contributed to growing the number of students that graduate from higher learning institutions in South Africa and
we are immensely proud of the achievement of these students.”

Written by Lauren Kansley
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