The CPUT Staff football team has expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the executive management for their support in helping the team participate and secure victory at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Staff Tournament.

The tournament was held at the University of Limpopo last week and the win brought the team their maiden trophy.

“We wish to pass our heartfelt gratitude to the executive management of CPUT for their support in helping us travel to Limpopo and fly the CPUT flag higher. We also wish to extend our message of appreciation to the following departments for their support: Sports, Arts and Culture, Advancement, and Human Capital. To all the colleagues who kept checking on us while we were away, thanks for the support and we appreciate you for showing us love,” said the team captain, Mvelo Siyaya.

The coach and Secretary General, Arthur Xolani, also extended his words of gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor [VC], Prof Chris Nhlapo, “for all the support he has given to us”. “From the moment we knocked on the door of the VC’s Office, we were welcomed with open arms and kindness and assisted with moral and financial support. I would also like to thank the Advancement Department, Sport, Arts, and Culture, as well as Human Capital for their kind support and contributions. And I will also thank the Marketing and Communication Department, Finance Department, Health, and Safety, and Campus Protection Services for their support and contributions,” said Xolani.

The proud coach said this victory was just the beginning, and “We should aim even higher because the sky is the limit”. He added that football is a team sport that thrives on unity and team spirit, and “we have truly excelled in that regard”. “The team really showed the spirit of oneness. I am deeply proud of all of you. We have made our mark in the history of USSA and CPUT. We will continue to develop other sporting codes and partnerships to ensure that CPUT remains at the top of the university sport.”

In welcoming the team and during the handover of the trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Nhlapo said: “Whenever we present CPUT we must represent to the best of our ability… I am really impressed by this group of winners. We have to support this winning team… Thank you very much for representing for representing us well. I know that this is just the beginning, there are other sporting codes that are actually coming. But for me, health and wellness come first. It’s very important that all of us we must be sure that we live well, we exercise, we walk, and we actually destress, one of the best ways of destressing is to ensure that we play sport.”

The captain admitted that it was a difficult tournament to participate in, especially considering that it was the team’s first participation in the Staff USSA Tournament, “but our unwavering bond and determination propelled us to success”. “Other universities had great individual players, but we had a great CPUT staff soccer team. Our victory serves as a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and a shared vision of unity.”

To prepare for the tournament they played in the Institution’s Res League and participated in tournaments that were organised for students by the Central Student Representative Council. Such tournaments helped the team to gain fitness and to identify areas of improvement within the team. They also played several friendly matches with the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town, and Stellenbosch University to prepare for this tournament.

“I feel extremely happy to captain this team of winners and the excitement is the same for everyone within the team. This victory is a symbol that together we can achieve greater things. The team holds a larger vision - one of promoting unity and collaboration among staff members through the power of sport. Our goal extends far beyond the confines of the football pitch. We aim to foster a sense of belonging and oneness among colleagues from all corners of the university,” Siyaya enthused.

Any member of the CPUT community who wants to join this exciting team may contact Mzingisi Muluse at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Anele Tyhulu at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo has added yet another feather to his cap after being nominated to a prime leadership position with Universities South Africa (USAf).

Nhlapo has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Finance and Investment Committee of USAf, and will now play a pivotal role in ensuring the organisations financial stability and investment strategy.

USAf is an umbrella body of the 26 public universities in the country and plays a critical role in advocating for the Higher Education sector to a range of national and international stakeholders.

The VC also holds another prestigious chairmanship, he is the current Chairman of the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (Thensa). Thensa is a formation of all technology focused universities in South Africa.

As the Vice Chancellor of one of the largest universities in South Africa, Nhlapo is no stranger to managing the financial obligations of a large organisation and adhering to all regulatory obligations. Thanks to his firm and decisive leadership Nhlapo has ensured that CPUT has always been given unqualified audits and continues to impress with its strict financial prudence.

Nhlapo welcomed his appointment and assured USAf and its members that he would work in its best interests to ensure the organisation remained in good financial stead.

“Thank you for the trust that has been shown in me and my abilities to lead the Finance and Investment Committee of USAf. Under my stewardship I will ensure that the organisation maintains and strengthens its financial footing and to always work towards the betterment of all 26 member universities,” he said.

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

CPUT will be celebrating the success of more than 300 graduates during our Summer Graduation ceremony on 12 December.

A total of 25 doctorates will be conferred during the ceremony, which will be held at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment has the highest number of graduates (179), followed by Business and Management Sciences (60), Applied Sciences (36), Health and Wellness Sciences (22), Informatics and Design (17) and Education (16).

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said the university was very proud of the graduating class and their achievements.

“I hope that you continue to create value wherever you go, dream big, and do something worthwhile with your precious qualification. Your community and South Africa need you now, more than ever.”

The ceremony will be live streamed via the university’s //www.youtube.com/@cputnews/streams">YouTube channel.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSeta) has awarded more than R10 million in bursaries to hundreds of deserving students in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences.

The W&RSeta awarded bursaries to 200 students in Retail Business Management, Human Resource Management, Financial Information Systems, Management, Accounting, Marketing and Paralegal Studies. The full bursaries pay for registration, tuition, accommodation, books, meals and transport for students residing off-campus.

Officials from the W&RSeta recently visited the District Six Campus to meet the successful students. It was an exciting day for the students as they had been waiting since the beginning of the year to learn if they will receive the funding for their studies.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, told the meeting that the university was grateful to the W&RSETA for the funding and that the Seta has a very strong relationship with CPUT since it is also funding one of the university’s research leadership chair. “The [bursary] funding will improve the lives of our students especially the BTech students because they are struggling to get funding. This is a shot in the arm for our needy students,” said Nhlapo.

He added that the bursaries will ensure the students completely focus on their studies without worrying about fees. “This is making a lifetime investment into the future of the youth of this country.”

The W&RSeta was established in the year 2000 in terms of the Skills Development Act to facilitate the skills development needs of the wholesale and retail industry through the implementation of learning programmes, disbursements of grants and monitoring of education and training.

Additional reporting by Sikhululwe Ntsiko 

Written by Kwanele Butana
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achiever Award will be helping 10 academically gifted students to fund their post-graduate studies.

Valued at R1 million for the current cohort, the fund identifies students who have achieved excellent results throughout their academic studies and can make a contribution to society by completing their Masters and/or Doctoral studies.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo says the award is a way of grooming the next generation of professors and ensures that Dean and Vice-Chancellor medallists remain connected to CPUT and come back to complete their Masters and Doctorates with the institution.

In 2019 one student was selected for the honour but a year later the pool of recipients has increased to 10, with students studying a variety of course options including Food Technology, Public Relations and Mechanical Engineering.

The Mauerberger Foundation Fund, which is a key sponsor to the award, was represented at the certificate ceremony by Advocate Dianna Yach.

She complimented the institution on making a real-world difference to positively transform society through technology.

“The recipients have a real desire to solve local and African problems in emerging economies and to do so in a way which is scalable. This is where CPUT makes the difference,” she said.

Prof Nhlapo called the recipients the cream of the CPUT crop and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

“You have been chosen because you represent the best of what CPUT has to offer, you have displayed the graduate attributes of resilience, superior problem-solving abilities and most importantly ethical capabilities. You already have the recipe for success,” he said.

PR Masters student Sivenathi Jayiya, who lives in Delft, thanked the award panel for seeing the best in her and believing in her capabilities.

The award will cover her existing student debt and finance the logistical cost of completing her Masters like transport, interviews and editing.

“Thank you to the panel for listening to my story and seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself. Thank you also to the VC for giving children from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to study in peace and without worry,” she said. 

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

An outdoor gym facility has been launched on the Bellville Campus to address the fitness needs of students and staff.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said he immediately accepted the proposal for the creation of an open-air gym on the Bellville Campus.

“You can only be One Smart CPUT if you are healthy and fit,” said Nhlapo.

He added that he is delighted to notice that staff and students are using the athletic track for jogging purposes.

Nhlapo emphasised that a healthy mind should be accompanied by a healthy body and encouraged students to use the facilities to de-stress.

He said the facilities are an investment in the university’s infrastructure and that the Bellville Campus is the first phase of the project as more outdoor gym facilities will be set up on other CPUT campuses.

The facilities were procured through Outdoor Gyms by Play on Art, a 10-year-old business company which sets up outdoor gyms countrywide.

The company’s owner Breann Jacobs commended Phillip Chibvuri, from the CPUT Business Unit, for coming up with the perfect location for the gym.

She said she hoped that the CPUT community will use the gym and get stronger and feel better physically. “Students should inspire their friends and consider introducing fitness competitions or other events around fitness.”

She added that outdoor gums are freely accessible to everyone and don’t require subscription fees such as indoor gyms.

CPUT Budget Controller, Thabo Molelengoane, said the freely accessible facilities would encourage the youth to be more active physically.

“It shows that CPUT cares about the wellness of its staff and students,” Molelengoane said. “We are inspiring other universities to promote a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to the management for coming up with the initiative, it’s a start of good things to come.”

Physical trainers led volunteers in certain exercises and other fitness drills as well as demonstrated the use of all the facilities in the gym.

"We are raising obese kids, so the facilities will be enriching the lives of both the staff and students,” said Zandile Jacobs, Housing Manager: Bellville Campus.

Written by Kwanele Butana
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Outstanding Masters and Doctoral students are invited to apply for the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award.

The Award was launched earlier this year to provide financial support to Masters and Doctoral students who have achieved excellent results throughout their academic studies and embody the CPUT graduate attributes.

“This award is not a replication of existing interventions. Rather it is a way of ensuring that Dean and Vice-Chancellor medallists remain connected to CPUT and come back to complete their Masters and Doctorates with us, later becoming professors,” Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said earlier this year.

Applicants must send their CV, a motivation letter and a letter from their supervisor(s) describing the progress in their research to Prof Janet Condy on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The deadline for applications is August 30.

For more information about the award click here.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Students and staff are receiving a warm online welcoming to the largest tertiary institution in the Western Cape this year.

While Covid-19 regulations prevent the institution from hosting the traditional welcoming events, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo is still delivering a message of welcome, albeit on an online platform.

“Traditionally this semester would be one of many welcome ceremonies. First Year Welcomes are (traditionally) hosted across the various campuses, and for staff we would be gathered together on the sports field of the Bellville campus to celebrate the start of the new year. These events are special because we are able to connect and put names and faces to our colleagues, SRC leadership, Management and of course our fellow classmates. Considering we are a community of just short of 40 000 staff and students, Welcome events unify us,” Nhlapo says in this year’s recorded message to students.

“While most of us are not physically on campus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work to maintain these buildings continues. We have multi-million rand building works and renovations planned for this year and we have already used the quieter period to forge ahead with these.”

Nhlapo encourages the CPUT community to find the time to do a life and career review and “plot where it is you want to be on this day in 2022.”

“The institution offers a wealth of self-improvement opportunities because we benefit from you reaching your full potential. Similarly though we also need your support to help us get CPUT to its full potential. I am certain I can count on you for that.”

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the importance of staff and student accountability in terms of COVID-19 safety precautions.

“We are grooming future leaders in our student population and it is imperative that we lead by example with the correct use of face masks, social distancing and hand sanitising. If you see someone not doing what they should be, then challenge them. A university has the potential to be a super-spreader environment and we cannot afford to relax. CPUT was previously identified as a low-risk institution for the potential for spreading the virus, let us continue to respect the protocols that earned us that mention.”

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/2pBMnjiZejc

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The CPUT men’s rugby team received their kit for the 2021 Varsity Shield tournament at a handover ceremony on Friday.

Prior to handing over the kit to the boys, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said the team represents CPUT exceptionalism. Nhlapo added that if the team kept up the standard that made them win the Shield in 2019 they would go to this year’s in Pretoria to show their opponents flames.

“I want to see you playing in the Varsity Cup next year, you possess some of the best skills, you are the best of the best.”

He assured the team that the university’s management fully supports the team and that he wants them to bring the trophy home.

Jerome Paarwater, Western Province Rugby Union’s High-Performance Manager, thanked the team for inviting him to their training sessions. Paarwater said his initial involvement with CPUT was when Sport Development Officer, Bulelani Mlakalaka, invited him to help the university with its selection of coaches.

“I was involved with UWC (University of the Western Cape) and helped them to win the Varsity Shield and they moved to the Varsity Cup,” he said.

He added that now he works with young talent and that he was instrumental in grooming most of the Stormers players.

“There are lot of opportunities for you if you do well in this tournament,” Paarwater said.

He encouraged the boys to have respect and be accountable for their actions. Paarwater also warned the players that the tournament will be tough but that they should not disappoint CPUT and their parents.

The team’s captain, Butsha Mputa said he joined the team in 2016 and started as a benchwarmer but when he made the starting 15 in June of that year, he made the number six jersey his own.

Butsha added that he plays with pride and that he has won the University Sports South Africa tournament as well as the Varsity Shield with the team. “I want to make history again,” he enthused.

The team’s coach, Alastair Theys said there was panic when the team started the training ten weeks ago but after the technical team presented its plan to the players their confidence started rising.

“The boys are ready for the tournament,” Theys assured the university. He urged the boys to make decisions that will make CPUT proud and thanked the university for creating the platform for the boys. “Well done for the hard work you put in training,” he congratulated the boys.     

This year’s tournament will be played in a bio-bubble in Tshwane from 12 April to 9 May and FNB CPUT will face off with FNB UFH (University of Fort Hare) today at Loftus Versfeld Stadium at 19H00. The match will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 211.

Written by Kwanele Butana
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

First-years starting off their studies at the Bellville campus this year can be proud of the state-of-the-art facilities, including leading research centres.

The campus is the administrative hub of the institution and its face brick façade, designed by architect Revel Fox, is well-known.

Some of the cutting-edge buildings on the campus include the new Chemical Engineering Building and the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering building.

Bellville campus is also home to the CPUT Sports Stadium, a swimming pool and, to boost staff and student fitness, an outdoor gym was opened in 2019.

Some of the university’s outstanding innovators, who have invented a range of products, also call the Bellville campus home.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo recently announced that this year students and staff based at the Bellville campus can expect a complete overhaul of the bulk water system, which will be taking place in a staggered format throughout the year.

“By replacing the old system, we are laying the foundation for future building works which may take place in the coming decades. Bellville campus, along with all other CPUT campuses, will also receive a security upgrade and installation of CCTV cameras in an ongoing endeavour to make all our campuses safer. This is expected to cost roughly R24 million.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Academic excellence and determination were at the centre of the recent Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards ceremony where the new cohort of recipients were celebrated.

The ceremony, held at the Cape Town Hotel School on the Granger Bay campus, also celebrated the success of four awardees who have graduated.

The awards programme was started in 2018 and is bestowed annually on deserving Master’s and Doctoral students who have shown academic excellence and an embodiment of the CPUT graduate attributes.

The 2022 awardees are:

• Oritonda Muribwathoho (completing a Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering. Her research title is: Development of metal matrix composites suitable for hulls and ship decks.
• Murendeni Nethengwe (completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences) Her research title is: Evaluation of antioxidant potential and mechanism of action of phenolic compounds from South African indigenous plants used in the management of diabetes-related male infertility.
• Shaun Mgoma (completing a Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering). His research title is: Recovery of valuable compounds from agricultural food using green technologies: Process design and Techno-economic analysis.
• Bongisiwe Zozo (completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry). Her research title is: Purification and characterisation of the native black soldier fly larva Protein.
• Mzoxolo Ntabeni (Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering. His research title: The influence of academic and industry-specific project management qualifications on the effectiveness of project managers in the construction industry.

The four recipients who have graduated are:

• Dr Yvonne Maphosa (Doctor of Food Science and Technology)
• Dr Imisioluseyi Akinyede (Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering)
• Sivenathi Jayiya (Master of Public Relations Management)
• Sihle Ngxabi (Master of Horticultural Science)

Chairperson of the Awards Committee, Prof Joseph Kioko, said the recipients have the potential to achieve great things.

Kioko said that too often, such excellent potential is extinguished by a lack of funds or resources, resulting in many brilliant, possibly life-changing dreams being deferred, often forever.

“Fortunately, humanity has in itself the ability to provide the spark or the fuel that would keep those lights shining all the way to a brighter future. For a fitting example of what we can all do, one needs to look no further than people and entities like the Mauerberger Foundation Fund and its chairperson, Advocate Diana Yach. The foundation has been generously supporting these awards and has ensured that the spark in many bright minds at CPUT has been kept alive. On behalf of the committee, I’d like to express our deep gratitude to Advocate Yach.”

Recipient Oritonda Muribwathoho said she was immensely thankful for the award, adding that it would mean “less stress” and allow her to focus on her studies.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo saluted the recipients and said he hoped that some of the recipients would become professors and vice-chancellors at the institution.

Yach said she was pleased to announce that the amount allocated to CPUT was being increased this year.

She said the awardees had fulfilled the dreams set out when the awards programme was first established.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo has commended outgoing Council members for assisting in stabilizing the institution and ensuring that CPUT is strengthened for future generations.

Outgoing Council members were inducted in 2018 and saw CPUT through challenging periods like Fees Must Fall and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nhlapo says one of the key success markers, was Council assisting with the selection of individuals in Executive Management positions. The placement of these competent people saw an immediate turnaround in portfolios like Finance, Infrastructure and the Academic offering.

“We learned our lesson from Vision 2020 when we didn’t put people at the centre of what we do, because no unity means no victory,” says Nhlapo.

“That is why I was clear that the two issues we were going to push is Oneness and Smartness. At the end of the day we speak the same language as Council which is ethics, morality and fairness.”

Chair of Council Advocate Zuko Mapoma says he is leaving his position confidently because CPUT is better today than when he joined.

“I am happy to say that at CPUT the systems were there. We had a duty to give the Executive the space to fulfill their duties, because the last thing you want is a Chair who is in competition with the VC,” he says.

“CPUT is a well-oiled machine, and a respected institution, because you have management who are ethical and creative.”

Registrar Sello Mokoena said the 26 outgoing Council members were at the forefront of heralding a new era for CPUT and left a legacy.

“That is the integral question we should be asking ourselves as we embark on this journey- it is what kind of a legacy do I want to leave.”

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fairies, unicorns and even a minion were among the participants of this year’s CPUT Women’s Day Fun Run.

The rain couldn’t deter scores of CPUT women and a few men from participating in the event, which started at the stadium on the Bellville campus.

The participants joined in a warm-up session before Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, officially started the race.

Dr Nicole Brooks, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, was the winning runner while Francis Koordom from Cleaning Services was the first walker to cross the finish line.

The winner in the Craziest Outfit category was Deidre de Jongh from the Department Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering who made quite an impression with her Christmas-themed outfit.

The winners and all participants who dressed up in costumes for the event received prizes.

The event was made possible through the co-operation of the following departments: Marketing and Communication, Human Capital, Infrastructure Development and Facilities Management, The Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Health and Safety, Somatology and the Cape Town Hotel School.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The dedication and loyal service of 178 staff members, who have 3150 years of service to CPUT and its heritage institutions between them, were celebrated during the recent Virtual Long Service Awards ceremony.

“In an age when job-hopping is fashionable, the continual search for better opportunities and new experiences means that staff seldom stay longer than a few years at any company. A Future Workplace survey conducted a few years ago found that the average person born between 1977 and 1997 could expect to have 15 to 20 jobs for their working lives,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo.

“So, in a sense, this group represent a rare breed of employee. During your service, you may have considered other attractive job offers but decided to remain at CPUT. I believe that is a reflection on the level of job satisfaction you must have felt.”

The recipient with the longest period of service was Hilda Haupt who will soon be retiring after 45 years of service.

“She has diligently worked alongside six vice-chancellors, including myself, and I certainly couldn’t do my job without her unwavering support. Hilda Haupt, you are appreciated; 45 years of service is certainly something worth celebrating."

Nhlapo said the recipients’ institutional knowledge was irreplaceable and added to the unique culture of CPUT.

“We salute you for being loyal employees of CPUT. Congratulations again on this career milestone and I look forward to meeting you again at your next long service awards ceremony in a few years’ time.”

The Marketing and Communication Department’s Cathy Cloete said each recipient was surprised at their home with a special and personalised snack pack which they could enjoy with their families while watching the ceremony online.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It was a proud moment yesterday when CPUT’s new vaccination centre went into operation and started administering lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines.

“It is important that we play our role in saving lives. There’s no other way. That is the mission, everything else is secondary because this scourge is affecting all of us,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, during a visit to the centre which is based at the Richard Sacco Building on the Bellville campus.

Nhlapo, who joined other Executive Management members on a tour of the facility, said he was particularly impressed with the CPUT staff members working at the centre.

He was also among the CPUT staff members who received their first jabs yesterday.

Prof Mellet Moll, Compliance and Risk Officer, Business Continuity and Covid-19, said there had been a good outcome on the first day, with a mix of staff members over 60 years and health students being vaccinated.

“We are very excited because this is a lot of work that came together.”

He said the centre has been accredited by the Western Cape Department of Health and was expected to do 60 vaccinations a day this week.

At full capacity, the centre would be able to administer 500 vaccines a day.

Staff members from the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Campus Health Clinics and the HIV/Aids Unit have been trained to administer the vaccines.

The following individuals are currently eligible and can be vaccinated at the centre:  

• Staff members and students who are 60 years old or older (ID document required as proof).
• Staff members who are healthcare workers - clinical and non-clinical, irrespective of age (proof required from line manager and or registration with a health statutory body)
• Students who are registered for healthcare-related programmes (proof of registration required).

 Those who are eligible can register for an appointment by clicking the following link:  http://bit.ly/CPUT_VaccinationRegistration_60YearsandOlderAndHCW

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has lauded CPUT for setting up the first vaccination centre at a Post-School Education centre in South Africa.

“I’m very happy to say CPUT has led the way,” said Nzimande during a visit to the Bellville campus yesterday where he visited the vaccination centre and addressed a briefing where the results of the Higher Health Covid-19 impact study on students in the post-school education system were released.

“I must admit I’m really bowled over by what CPUT is doing, which indeed confirms that this is one of our premier universities of technology,” Nzimande added.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said the institution has for a number of years now had a guiding principle of “One Smart CPUT” and this ethos has never been more evident than in the past year as CPUT navigated the pandemic.

“We have been One Smart CPUT from the very beginning when we realised the gravity of the pandemic unfolding and quickly set up a COVID-19 Response Unit that infiltrated every unit, department and faculty at this university. From the Vice-Chancellor’s office to security we have been meeting every second day to strategise and, with agility, react to the challenges presented.”

He added that the institution never lost sight of another element “which makes us uniquely CPUT, which is our heart”.

“While needing to make tough decisions about the academic project and other institutional processes, we have been careful to never lose sight of the 40 000 individuals who make up our community.”

Nhlapo said this caring attitude is also evident in the vaccination centre, which will not only be vaccinating CPUT staff and students but the broader community as well.

“Staffed by our own CPUT colleagues, the vaccination centre has the capacity to vaccinate in the region of 500 individuals per day and we hope to help as many people as possible.”

The release of the results of the impact study on students in the post-school education system formed part of commemorations for Youth Month.

Other speakers during the webinar included the CEO of Higher Health, Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, Chief Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Prof Sibusiso Sifunda, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Prof Tandi Matsha and Prof Mellet Moll, Compliance and Risk Officer, Business Continuity and Covid-19.

The study was undertaken by Higher Health and the HSRC, through the support of the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Department of Science and Innovation and the United Nations Population Fund.

“From the results we know that 53% thought they were at low risk of contracting COVID-19 and 15% perceived themselves as high risk. This reinforces that it is important for students to understand that they are in fact carriers of the virus and whilst they may be asymptomatic, they are at risk of transmitting to their parents and elderly grandparents,” said Nzimande.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Being the first female deputy referee in Africa to officiate at the Olympics Games for table tennis is a heavy responsibility for Intermediate Phase Education Lecturer, Genevieve Lentz, who is 'entirely prepared for'. 

The excited PhD candidate in Education is set to participate in the 2020 Summer Olympics, branded as Tokyo 2020, scheduled to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. The 2020 Olympics and Paralympics were postponed from last year because of the outbreak of Covid-19. The Bonteheuwel-born referee says: “I hope to be an asset to the refereeing team and offer the players and officials a successful Olympics Games. This is also my ‘Neil Armstrong’ moment in history as my success is a step for women but a leap for womankind in sport. There can only be seven women in the world representing each continent that can rightfully take up the position as I am, as the first referee.

“I am privileged and honoured to be representing Africa as the first female referee.”

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo applauds Lentz on her selection as deputy referee in table tennis for the Tokyo Olympics. Nhlapo says her selection enriches an already illustrious sporting career that has taken “you around the globe”.  “As a former CPUT student and now staff member, I really take pride in your exceptional talent and the hard work it must have taken to acquire your blue badge for umpiring. I do hope you enjoy the experience and stay safe while travelling,” says Nhlapo.

Lentz, who recently obtained her Master’s in Education summa cum laude, has officiated as an umpire at three Olympics events, which include Beijing Paralympics; First Youth Olympics and London Olympics, and this time around she will officiate her fourth Olympics as Deputy Referee which is “the highlight of my career”.Her success has evolved over 20 years, having started in table tennis as a player after she was introduced to the sport at primary school and “I played it over weekends on our kitchen table”. Lentz continued playing at Arcadia Senior Secondary School before joining the Boundary Table Tennis Club for whom she played league games.

Whilst playing for Boundary, the young Lentz realised that she had a knack for umpiring and pursued qualifying herself as a professional umpire. Lentz started with the League Exam then the Provincial Exam and proceeded to the National Exam before she officiated on all levels in South Africa. In 2006, the opportunity arose to write the International Umpires Exam which “I embraced and successfully qualified as an International Umpire”.In 2011, she became the first South African female to obtain a Blue Badge Umpire status which is seen as the elite umpires eligible to officiate at the Olympics. In 2017, Lentz became the first female referee in Africa for table tennis.

The difference between an umpire and a referee is that an umpire has jurisdiction of the court, which includes the players in the match and the referee has jurisdiction of the whole tournament, which means that all players, coaches and officials fall under the referee. The very dedicated nGAP Lecturer says Hajera Kajee, Vice President of Administration for the South African Table Tennis Board, was very instrumental in the fast-tracking of her career as an official. “Her heartbeat is gender equity and she wholeheartedly supported me and motivated me throughout my journey. Furthermore, my mother has taught me and my siblings to be principled and have integrity, thus always having a strong work ethic.”Lentz is also mindful that this year’s Olympics will be like no other, taking place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I feel confident that the IOC and LOC of Japan have implemented all safety protocols and implement safety plans to keep all the participants safe. Each of us has the responsibility to keep ourselves safe by adhering to the social distancing and all other covid-19 protocols.”Lentz is optimistic about the opportunity afforded to her. “I will be an asset to the Referee Team, gain invaluable experience which I can bring back to South Africa and the African continent to share with my colleagues.”Her mission is to ensure that development takes place on the grassroots level and that more women are capacitated to become officials.

“My word of encouragement, particularly to women, is that you are good enough and have the potential to achieve anything you set your mind to. Stay focused on your goals and silence the white noise around you. You will be successful and rise above and beyond your circumstances.” 

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo has endorsed the launch of the forthcoming Institutional Audit by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

In his opening address, at an Institutional Audit Virtual Launch, Nhlapo said in 2010, five years after the merger, CPUT underwent the first Institutional Audit. He said the recommendations from the CHE were incorporated into the Institutional Quality Improvement Plan and quality improvement activities were initiated in crosscutting areas such as governance, transformation, institutional culture and communication, as well as in specific functions such as library provision, research, human resources, security and residences. Nhlapo also acknowledged the Council's support for the institutional audit with the presence of its chairperson Adv Zuko Mapoma and his deputy, Dr Laurine Platzky.

The Institutional Audit Coordinator, Dr Siyanda Makaula outlined the processes that the Institution will undergo in preparing for this audit. Makaula said the “overarching purpose of an institutional audit was to evaluate the coherence and effectiveness of the institution’s internal quality assurance system in enabling student success and improving its core academic functions”.

He also added that the outcomes of the Institutional Audit will provide baseline information for an institutional track record that will form the basis for the implementation of the recently published CHE Quality Assurance Framework.

The Institution will be the main unit of analysis. The CHE will apply a review methodology based on reflexive praxis and peer review as the tools in conducting institutional audits.

The institution will be evaluated in terms of its “fitness of purpose, fitness for purpose, value for money, transformation and student success as a view of quality” – At CPUT, our definition of quality would not be sufficiently extensive if it did not encompass the interface of people (oneness) and technology (smartness).

Nhlapo said: “The main focus of the Institutional Quality Improvement Plan was to encourage integration across the many faculties, units and campuses of CPUT and to concentrate on activities that enhanced the teaching and learning processes, the student experience and student success. This plan was successfully closed out by the CHE on the 5th February 2014,” he continued.

“In the words of the CHE to CPUT: The Institutional Audits Committee, a sub-committee of the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC), was impressed with the thorough way in which all of the recommendations from the audit report were addressed. The HEQC indicated that the progress report was a mature and courageous self-reflection.”

Nhlapo emphasised that the University’s vision has been revised. “We developed the goals for the University and have embedded these firmly in our qualifications and academic project. At that time, we were mindful that we had to choose our goals appropriately. We set out to develop the research framework that sets today’s foundation for our 2030 strategy embodied in “One Smart CPUT”.  He added that in the midst of the pandemic the University took part in the CHE’s Doctoral Qualification Review and now the Institution is preparing for the second HEQC’s Institutional Audit.

Reflecting on the function of the institutional audit, Nhlapo said: “In a sense, it takes a snapshot of our academic and strategic activities and through reflexive praxis and peer evaluation, evaluates our actions against the student experience and student success. It helps us to develop along a line of continuous improvement, as long as we are open and honest with declaring our strengths and weaknesses.”

The Vice-Chancellor pledged his full support to the Institutional Audit while ensuring a valid process. He requested staff and students alike to give of their expertise and experiences and provide a robust reflection that will take the University towards achieving the mission set out in Vision 2030.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT Chancellor, the Honourable Thandi Modise, has been appointed as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo expressed the university community’s pride following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 5 August.

“Your hard work as the Speaker of the National Assembly, as well as your determination, has paid off. As an institution, we are extremely proud to be associated with you”.

Modise was installed as Chancellor in 2017 and is the first woman to serve in this position at CPUT.

“Even though the job of a Chancellor is very ceremonial, I am taking up the challenge to engage and try to mediate between the students and management. For me, this is important because the only way forward is if there is stability. The challenges we are facing with a university like this one, which must push innovation, is that you must produce and produce fast to mitigate the risks. I will be taking up the challenge and am very, very honoured,” she said at the time of her installation.

She was appointed as the Speaker of the National Assembly in May 2019 and previously held the position of Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.

For more on the Minister’s achievements and qualifications, please click here.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT has upped the ante in its fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

In June the institutions’ Executive Management were trained on their responsibilities in handling GBV, now the rest of the CPUT community is in line to receive similar training.

The training roll-out puts CPUT at the forefront of the higher education sector’s response to this societal scourge.

This is because CPUT is the first university to internalise and institutionalise the fight against GBV via its dedicated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Committee, which is chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo.

The high-level institutional GBV committee is comprised of delegates from the SRC and Management and aims to ensure accountability, coordination, and leadership of the GBV Policy for Higher Education.

Nonkosi Tyolwana, Director for Institutional Transformation, Social Cohesion and Diversity, says the GBV training will be cascaded through the university committee in the coming few months.

“The training will explore how gender identities are defined in our formative years, and how this resonates in a 21st century context,” says Tyolwana.

“This becomes critical conversations to have with a higher education context when you have young people from all walks of life intermingling for the first time in their lives. We also need to remain aware of the natural power imbalances that can form within a university context. If we arm our students and staff to be conscious of this then they can avoid GBV pitfalls.”

CPUT’s GBV training and the response have been crafted in response to the Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.