CPUT libraries recently hosted a book donation ceremony at the Cape Town campus, where they donated books to several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Estelle Kruger, Senior Library Assistant responsible for public relations matters at the Cape Town campus library, said: “This event is part of the libraries’ portfolio. It’s part of our strategic plan, where we reach out to at least three NGOs. All the CPUT library branches contributed by donating books.”

The two NGOs that benefitted from this outreach initiative were Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), represented by Christy White and Nicro, represented by Beverley Du Plooy and Gerhard Jansen Van Vuuren.

PSFA’s White was open about what his organisation would do with their portion of the books.

“We need to feed our kids, so we are probably going to sell these books at a fair price, to buy food items which will be handed out at various schools” she said.

White also mentioned that they are one of five school-feeding organisations in the province; however theirs is the only non-profit organisation.

“During his time in office, former State President Nelson Mandela formed a primary school feeding fund, which provided food only to a certain percentage of schools. That’s where PSFA fits in; we try to the best of our ability to cater to those who do not gain from this past initiative”, said White.

Du Plooy and Van Vuuren mentioned that Nicro discovered a shortage of libraries in townships.

“The books will be used at our offices in Khayelitsha and Langa, as there is a high illiteracy rate throughout the disadvantaged areas”, said Van Vuuren.

Currently, Nicro has a number of sponsors that help to sustain their 53 branches nationwide. These sponsors include the Provincial Department of Social Development and the National Lottery.

The books were handed over by the Library’s two Public Relations interns, Nadia Majiet and Nelisa Ntsokota, who have become extensively involved in organising such events as part of experiential learning.

Also present at the book hand-over were Deputy Director of the Cape Town Campus Library Michiel Moll and Branch Manager Sulaiman Majal.

Referring to the representatives of the NGO’s, Moll said: “This gesture is a token of appreciation for what you do for the community of South Africa”.

According to Estelle Kruger, this outreach gesture was the first of many charity events the Libraries plan to do and the book donations will happen annually.

By Mariette Adams

Photo: Library staff members and representatives from the organisations who received the donations.

Written by CPUT News
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The Student Affairs Division and Services (DSA) will run the #WiseUp Healthy Living campaign from 19 July to 5 August.

Head of Department: Student Counselling, Leanie Brits, says the mandate of DSA is to educate and support students’ adjustment, development and wellness outside of the classroom through its various service portfolios.  “We strive to create opportunities for engagement and education to empower our students to grow. The prolonged lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic brought with it an increase in psychosocial challenges for students.

“The pandemic challenged people’s resilience and placed great strain on people’s general coping strategies,” says Brits.

The #WiseUp Healthy Living campaign emanated from the need to empower the CPUT community with information, tools, and resources to maintain the fundamental principles of a healthy body and mind.  “It also seeks to promote wellness, mental health, and amongst others, focus on depression and suicide awareness, substance use and abuse and gender-based violence (GBV) awareness,” emphasises Brits.

She adds that the campaign is supported by CPUT’s external partners, the Department of Social Development, the National Institute of Community Development and Management, and the Department of Health, exhibiting on campus on the 19th and 20th of July. The Department of Student Counselling and Campus Health clinic will also show these days.

Students are encouraged to attend the exhibitions’ stalls and the various activities that will run during the campaign. The organisers anticipate that more than 500 students will participate in the on-campus events that will run during this period. The campaign has to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, and therefore, certain activities will be limited per number of attendees to comply with venue capacity restrictions. The drama performance and exhibitions are open air/outside events, these activities will be regulated but limited.

The target audience is all CPUT students, especially students who seek to empower themselves with knowledge and those who want to learn how to live and maintain a healthy life. “This campaign allows students to learn the facts about general strategies to maintain wellness and mental health, substance use and abuse, depression and suicide, and GBV,” summarises Brits.

She also states that wellness and mental health should be a daily priority and that without proper self-care, one might find it challenging to focus on one’s academics and may even notice social and emotional problems such as depression, low motivation, isolation, high levels of stress and inability to deal with pressure.

“Students may end up engaging in unhealthy coping strategies such as increased alcohol use, unhealthy eating and sleeping habits, etc. We are holistic beings; wellness and mental health cannot be separated from our work and academics. We encourage the CPUT community to #BeWise and equip themselves with the knowledge to live healthily,” adds Brits.

To view the line-up, click this link:

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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