The lives of five CPUT students were made easier when they were awarded full bursaries to cover their tuition, accommodation, books, travel expenses, as well as a living stipend.

On 22 May 2009, the Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI) Foundation through Golden Arrow Bus Services handed over bursaries to the value of R98 000 to students they identified as academically deserving.

The bursary programme is part of a new partnership between CPUT and Golden Arrow, which will see more students awarded full bursaries, internships and possible employment on satisfactory completion of their studies.

Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, Golden Arrow Director for Human Resources Meko Magida, said the partnership was one of the means through which the company was addressing the skills shortage in the country.

He said as the programme continues to grow, more students could benefit.

“If you do well, we would like you to join the company”, said Magida.

Dr Mandla Tshabalala of the HCI Foundation said the students had shown talent and should continue to take their studies seriously.

“Grab this opportunity with both hands and run with it,” he said.

Advancement Director Dr Garth van Gensen said the opportunity afforded to the five students was phenomenal and should not be taken lightly. He said the students were not the only beneficiaries of the programme but the entire CPUT community.

Dr van Gensen said the university was excited at the partnership and grateful for the generous contribution.

The students, Keenan Brandt (second-year Mechanical Engineering), Zimbini Makunga (first-year Mechanical Engineering), Qaqamba Qauka (second year Human Resource Management) and Lonwabo Mganisa (1st-year Mechanical Engineering) said they were thrilled and relieved by receiving the bursary.

They said it would be easier for them to focus on their studies without worrying about payment of their fees.

The students said with internship and employment placement taken care of, they had one less thing to worry about when they finished their studies. Christian Roberts, a Mechanical Engineering student, who was unable to attend the handover, was also awarded a bursary.

By Noloyiso Mchunu

Written by CPUT News
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Two CPUT students have been featured in a ‘Movers and Shakers’ segment for youth reality television show, Hectic nine-9.

Ntsikelelo Magwaca and Luxolo Ganca were selected for their inspirational story of working against the odds to get Ntsikelelo registered and admitted for the Graphic Design Course earlier this year. 

Their story started more than six months ago when Luxolo met Ntsikelelo at the Waterfront and complimented him on the realistic self-portrait he was sketching.

The conversation between the strangers led to a promise from Luxolo that he would assist his new friend in attempting to register for Graphic Design at CPUT.

They met a day later and despite being over six months late Ntsikelelo’s portfolio blew lecturers away and he was accepted for a place in the Extra Curriculum Programme from Graphic Design.

Together the 20-year-old’s overcame a number of smaller hurdles along the way like getting the registration money paid and getting a starter stationery kit for Ntsikelelo to complete assignments.

The positive story reached Vice-Chancellor Prins Nevhutalu who shared it with the CPUT Council during a meeting.

Council member Meko Magida who works for Golden Arrow Bus services pledged support and Ntsikelelo will soon be awarded a full bursary for the duration of his studies.

Nevhutalu says both Luxolo and Ntsikelelo are examples of the socially responsible student that he wants CPUT to produce.

“I want a CPUT student to be different from other graduates because they care. That spirit will infuse everything we do here at the university and seep out into the rest of the country. I would be very satisfied if I had a university full of Luxolo’s and Ntsikelelo’s,” he says.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.