CPUT’s Department of Somatology got the Hollywood treatment – so to speak – when two staff members and two students appeared on SABC2’s popular teen programme, Hectic Nine-9.

An episode billed as #WellnessWednesday which was broadcast live this week, saw Diana Ambrosio and Marnel Germishuys, both Somatology lecturers, and BTech students (soon to be graduates) Ezintle Ngebe and Thembani Buka dishing out skincare and beauty advice to Hectic Nine-9’s presenters and its many viewers.

“We were thrilled when the producers, Okuhle Media, approached the department to appear on the show,” says Somatology HOD Nicole Brooks. “Television is such a powerful medium, so it was a no-brainer for me. I am confident that many more teenagers were made aware that CPUT offers something like Somatology through this television programme with its wide reach,” she adds.

Somatologists are so much more than mere beauticians. Students studying Somatology are trained in advanced skincare therapies, which comprise various medical aesthetics and non-invasive skincare procedures collectively known as epidermal therapies. Skin concerns are addressed at a more advanced, scientific level creating dynamic results for clients. Students gain experience on state-of-the-art equipment and are exposed to the latest technology used to combat skin imperfections, sun damage and premature aging.

Another advantage of this course is that it is a lot more affordable than beauty and healthcare courses offered by private institutes.

Learn more about Somatology here.

View the photos of our Somatologists’ appearance on Hectic Nine-9 on our Facebook page.

Written by Abigail Calata

There are lots of reasons to consider studying Somatology at CPUT.

Somatology is the study of health and skincare and CPUT graduates are eagerly sought after by industry because of their intensive training in all aspects of health and wellness.

CPUT’s Somatology offering is considered one of the best spa training facilities in the country with the course constantly adapting to meet the latest international wellness treatment offerings.

Far from being simply beauty therapists, experienced Somatology graduates can go on to work alongside dermatologists and plastic surgeons in health and skincare clinics around the world.

Head of Department Dr Nicole Brooks says a Somatology student is 100% guaranteed to find a job after graduation.

“We are the only institution in the Western Cape offering a B-Tech degree which is internationally recognised,” she says.

Students are trained in a state-of-the-art spa facility and spend a significant portion of their second and third year doing Work Integrated Learning.

Some of the intensive courses on offer include anatomy and physiology, nutrition and business practice.

The course is on offer at our Cape Town campus and during term time a wellness clinic is offered twice a week where the public can experience luxurious treatments at a drastically reduced price.

Applications for Somatology close at the end of September.

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

Somatology students recently gave residents and staff members of St Anne’s Homes in Woodstock a special treat as part of a community service event centred on Women’s Day. 

St Anne’s provides shelter and support for pregnant, abused and homeless women with young children.

Dr Nicole Brooks, head of the Department of Wellness Sciences, said the students spent a day at St Anne’s earlier this month and spoiled the women with a range of treatments.

“The students gave the residents head, neck and shoulder massages as well as manicures. Our community service events are an important opportunity for our students to learn to give back and this time we chose St Anne’s Homes as August is Women’s Month.”

Residents enjoyed the treatments and expressed their gratitude to the students.

“I felt really good getting treated by the women of CPUT. They made me feel that I don’t need anyone to tell me that I am beautiful,” said one St Anne’s resident.

“Doing our nails and massaging us really relaxed me and made me feel good. I am truly grateful. Thank you,” said another.

About 100 women with their young children benefit from St Anne’s services every year.

It was established in 1904 by the Anglican Church.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Various departments in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences have been working in unison to assist schools with a Life Sciences revision programme and plan to continue the good work this year.

The collaborating departments are Emergency Medical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Somatology, Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, Ophthalmic Sciences and Dental Technology, and the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, Service Learning division.

Dr Kareemah Najaar, senior lecturer in the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences, said the pandemic has further disadvantaged many underprivileged matric Life Sciences learners because they cannot access Wi-Fi or smartphones. Thus online remote learning was not an option for them.

She said the development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) remains a focus area for the country's economic growth.

To support the STEM vision and provide socio-economically disadvantaged students with an opportunity to qualify and apply for science programmes at the tertiary level, Najaar sought to expand inter-departmental collaboration within the faculty.

She said Dr Wendy Solomon (Biomedical Sciences) and Michael Paulse (Somatology) had been integral to this project since 2019.

“We realised that for this community engagement to be more effective within the current climate, inviting our sister departments to join could only amplify and accelerate the vision.”

In August last year, Wynberg High School hosted the Grade 12 learners of Lavender Hill High School.”

Four major topics, selected by the teachers, Nabeelah Israel (Wynberg) and Monia Lewis (Lavender Hill) were revised. A maximum of 15 learners were placed with three tutors.

“121 learners attended the session with an astonishing number of faculty lecturers, postgraduates, and undergraduates available as tutors and facilitators. The tutors diligently provided a safe environment for the students, and consequently, the system's efficiency was remarkable to observe.”

The collaborating departments created an environment where the participating matric learners could still physically attend a Life Science Revision programme while conforming to COVID-19 protocols.

“The Covid-19 ‘friendly’ classroom was designed into a classical horseshoe shape, with desks spaced adequately apart. Thus, The students could engage with the tutors who positioned themselves within the centre of the horseshoe while maintaining a safe social distance.”

Before entering the classroom, a register was taken, all participants’ temperatures were recorded, and their hands were sanitised. In addition, all desks were sanitised before each session and after, and the classrooms remained well-ventilated. It was compulsory to wear a facial mask covering the mouth and nose.

 “This model proves that it is possible to conduct revision programmes for those who do not have access to basic technology such as Wi-Fi and smart devices under COVID-19 conditions. We are excited to run our revision programmes with the 2022 matric students. We are most certainly prepared for the challenges that may have previously limited us, in the past,” said Najaar.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Somatology students have once again excelled in the internationally recognised Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) exams.

CIDESCO is “the world's most prestigious spa and beauty certification authority and its headquarters is in Zurich, Switzerland.

Every year third-year Somatology students at CPUT have the option to enrol for the CIDESCO examination.

This is offered as an additional qualification to the standard Diploma in Somatology, to enhance employability among the Somatology graduates, said junior lecturer in the Department of Wellness Sciences, Rethabile Lesole.

“In 2022 we successfully coordinated CIDESCO after many discussions and notes taken from the Advisory Board as well as lecturers’ determination and tenacity towards ensuring that students are well equipped and ready for the real world of work,” said Lesole.

The theory exam was completed on 1 December 2022 and the practical assessments took place on 6 and 7 December 2022.

Twenty-seven candidates signed up for the exam.

The South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP) has provided sponsorship for two consecutive years. In 2021, 23 students were sponsored with two of the Department’s top students sponsored in 2022. The two students sponsored in 2022 were identified using a rigorous process, evaluating overall performance in practical and theory, throughout their three years of studies. Attendance and professionalism were among the key components assessed.

The two students identified, Zahrah Barlow and Precious None, had also taken up leadership roles, serving as class representatives throughout their three years of studying towards their diploma. Zahrah passed both practical and theory successfully also obtaining an award for best overall student, as well as best facial therapist for 2022.

The pass rates were as follows:

• Pass rate for 2022 overall 81% (increase of 9% from 2021)
• Pass rate for 2022 Theory 85% (increase of 8% from 2021)
• Pass rate for 2022 Practical 95% (increase of 25% from 2021)

The following students were awarded under the following categories:

• Best overall student: Zahrah Barlow
• Best Practical: Marcelle Wiener
• Best Theory: Imaan Wasserfall
• Best Facial Component: Zahrah Barlow
• Best Body Component: Jodi Smith
• Best Aesthetics Component: Thembeka Ngema.

“A special thank you to the designated international CIDESCO Examiner, Mrs Elna Hagen, as well as the internal examiners, all the Somatology lecturers for preparing our students, always inspiring, encouraging and motivating them to be the best in what they do. Thank you also to all our sponsors, Dermalogica, Environ and Thera Vine, for the gifts awarded to our students,” said Lesole.

Written by CPUT News
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