CPUT Libraries recently received a book donation from General Louis Botha’s family which they dedicated to Maritime students.

The book, A Name Among Seafaring Men, records the evolution of maritime education from the sea establishment of the SA Training Ship General Botha to its successor shore establishments at Red Hill in Simon’s Town, Gordon’s Bay and, eventually, Granger Bay, where its legacy continues in the CPUT Maritime Studies Department.

Botha was the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, the precursor of the modern republic.

In 1919, the Cape Town Naval Cadet Corps lost their home base and an emergency committee set about searching for a training ship to be stationed in Table Bay. TB Davis offered the committee ‘a ship for a home’ as a full-time institution for sea training.

Davis bought and fitted out the HMS Thames, a retired Royal Navy River Class battle cruiser, which he donated in memory of his son Howard Davis (who was killed at the Battle of the Somme) and it was renamed the SA Training Ship General Botha, in memory of General Louis Botha, after the ship’s arrival on 26 March 1921. 

Exactly 100 years since the birth of maritime education and training in South Africa, the niece of philanthropist TB Davis, Evelyn Stevens, recently donated a signed copy of the book to the CPUT Department of Maritime Studies.

The donation was received on behalf of the Library by Regina Sikhosana, Library Faculty Manager: Engineering and Theresa Willams, Acting HOD: Maritime Studies & Survival Centre.

Sikhosana said the Library is honoured to receive this special donation and was considering opening a special collection dedicated to the General Botha family to continue the family’s legacy in the history of CPUT Libraries for more generations to come.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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Reduce, reuse, recycle and re-think was the main message as CPUT cleaning staff celebrated World Environment Day this week.

Event organiser Regina Sikhosana says the information session was tailored to the cleaning staff because they are at the forefront of most environmental challenges facing the institution.

Guest speaker Graham Kallis from the Maintenance Department explained how the simple act of using the wrong tissue paper can have devastating effects.

“Every three months we have to spend thousands to clean blocked drains because people use hand towels instead of toilet paper,” he says.

“This is a lot of money being wasted and demonstrates the importance of the supply of toilet paper.”

He also encouraged the cleaners to ensure they used adequate protection gear while working.

“It is not an easy task being a cleaner. You have to work with dust and germs and these things can harm you so protect yourself,” he says.

Malcolm Smith from Waste Man Holdings encouraged the cleaners to introduce recycling initiatives in their homes and work.

He also explained the recycling process of a number of products like tin, glass and paper.

The afternoon ended with a Q and A session where the cleaners could get information on a number of problems like where to dump hazardous products and electrical goods.

Each guest was given a goodie bag filled with health-conscious snacks to thank them for their attendance.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

Written by CPUT News
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Mandela Day not only honours the former stateman’s life and achievements but also inspires individuals and communities globally to devote their time and efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

As the heavy rain and gusty winds continued to batter the Western Cape on this day, the staff and students were excited to engage in a meaningful act of kindness that brought joy to children in low-resourced local schools such as Balvenie Primary School, Astra Special Education School, as well as The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children.

Led by the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Unit, the Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) project group, known as The Community Connectors, groups of staff members and students visited the classrooms at these venues and read stories to the learners. The teams also delivered an entertaining programme that included the performance of a children’s story, a quiz and other interactive activities.

SLCE Manager, Jacqui Scheepers emphasised the importance of institutional projects that express the Ubuntu philosophy through action within the communities around CPUT. “The support, teamwork, good spirits, and camaraderie displayed by staff and students from across the institution and various campuses was evidence of what could be achieved in communities when there is unity and purpose,” said Scheepers.

She also quoted Tata Madiba who said: “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.” Scheepers said this was displayed by the CPUT community who visited three community sites to engage in activities with school learners to celebrate the legacy of Tata Madiba and express the spirit of Ubuntu as part of CPUT’s Vision 2030.

CPUT Libraries has coordinated the drop-off sites of reading materials at all campus libraries which were donated by staff and students. Scheepers said the donation of new/pre-owned books and reading materials of all genres children’s books, CDs, magazines and many more) “contributes to the educational development of our communities”, adding that reusing pre-owned reading materials is also environmentally responsible as it reduces waste.

Scheepers stated that the Balvenie Primary School Library is a long-term project site for SLCE interdisciplinary projects in conjunction with Architectural Technology, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, and Graphic Design departments. Industry and service-learning partner, Nadeson Consulting staff members joined CPUT at Balvenie Primary and handed over books, a laptop, and a printer to the library. They also raised R5,000.00 through crowdfunding for the library.

The school principal, Farieda Wakefield expressed her gratitude to CPUT and Nadeson Consulting for their kind donations and for engaging with their learners.

Wakefield said: “It's such a joy to see people come on board to invest in our community. One of our mottos at our school is always: This can be Elsie's River, but we don’t need to be like Elsie's River … One of our challenges is getting people on board to come and invest in our school… So the fact that CPUT and Nadeson Consulting came on board to have a library, I must say thank you very much to CPUT and other role players who after so many years want to see this project through…Thank you very much for whatever you're giving to the school, small or big it doesn’t matter what it is, we are just happy that at the end of the day, we will have a library to at least see what we can do to enhance the academic performance of our learners.” She added that the school needed more interventions to improve the dire situation at the school.

Regina Sikhosana, Branch Manager, Bellville Campus, brightened the room when she mentioned the available assistance from the library and said: “So we are going to adopt you until you graduate”.

In The Saartjie Centre for Women and Children's new therapeutic library, the Community Connectors and library staff sorted out the books, packed the bookshelves, and then engaged with the learners. Miriam Fredericks said: “Your support is instrumental in our ability to continue to provide essential, life-changing services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.”

The SLCE unit have undertaken to conduct a life skills programme with the hostel learners at Astra Special Education School in the future.

Scheepers also conveyed “a special thank you” to all the stakeholders, staff and students for their participation.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce and CPUT News
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CPUT Libraries, in collaboration with the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), recently joined the global celebration of World Book and Copyright Day under the theme "Read Your Way”.

This annual event is observed worldwide, and it serves as a tribute to the invaluable contributions of books and authors, while also highlighting the importance of copyright protection in fostering creativity and innovation. The World Book and Copyright Day holds profound significance, tracing its roots back to UNESCO's decision in 1995 to commemorate April 23rd as a day of literary celebration. This date was chosen to honour the birth and death anniversaries of renowned authors, including William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, underscoring the universal appeal of literature and its timeless impact on human culture.

At the heart of CPUT's celebration were esteemed guest speakers, dedicated staff, and enthusiastic students, all gathered to partake in a series of enlightening discussions and presentations. Yunus Omar, Library Manager of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, set the tone for the event, emphasising the importance of reading as a transformative force that enriches the mind and broadens the horizon. Njabulo Maphumulo, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, emphasised the importance of cultivating a culture of writing and storytelling, stressing that it is crucial to create avenues where individuals can share their narratives and contribute to the rich tapestry of literature. Maphumulo also highlighted the critical role of access to books in empowering individuals to chart their intellectual journey. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts, such as this event, to bridge the gap and make educational resources more accessible to students.

There were also insightful presentations by guest speakers, Ntombozuko Bota- CPUT alumna and author of a book: A Seed Grown Into Flower and motivational speaker and Musa Tshabangu- first-year student and author, who captivated the audience with their inspiring journeys and invaluable insights into the writing, publishing process, and importance of copyright. With firsthand experience and expertise, they shared practical tips and financial considerations essential for aspiring authors, shedding light on the intricate path from conception to publication. Musa has authored two books, Decision Making and Koke ngaphasi komthunzi welanga kune skhathi sakho.

Under the adept direction of Regina Sikhosana, Library Manager, Faculty of the Engineering and Built Environment, the programme unfolded seamlessly, providing a platform for dialogue, learning, and inspiration. Janine Lockhart, Scholarly Communication and Digitisation Services, extended heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their contributions and commitment to promoting information literacy as a skill taught in libraries to support learning and teaching, and protection of authors’ copyright and intellectual property following the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Ntombekhaya Gwaqa , Marketing Librarian, said the celebration of World Book and Copyright Day was a testament to the institution's unwavering dedication to fostering social cohesion, a culture of reading, learning, and creativity. “Through collaborative endeavours and insightful discourse, it reaffirms the enduring significance of books as vessels of knowledge and the indispensable role of copyright in safeguarding the fruits of human imagination. As we reflect on this commemorative day, let us renew our commitment to cherishing literature, nurturing talent, and upholding the principles of intellectual integrity and cultural diversity.”

Written by CPUT News
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