The winners of the first-ever Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards were revealed during a recent ceremony at the Bellville Campus.

The awards honoured exceptional student leaders and dedicated administrative staff.

Outlining the background to the awards, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, said: “When we recognise the hard work of staff and students, we do more than just celebrating it in a particular moment. We ignite a spark that encourages even greater efforts. And that is also what we want to achieve with this initiative. Recognition serves as a reminder that hard work does not go unnoticed and that every step toward excellence is worth celebrating”.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said it was an incredible honour and a privilege to be part of the ceremony, adding that it “has been long in the making”.

Nhlapo said the CPUT community has diligent staff and students who habitually exceed their job description and go beyond the proverbial extra mile or call of duty.

“As the Vice-Chancellor and principal of this majestic institution, the MIT of Africa, I want all of us to embrace excellence.”

The winners in the staff category were:

First place - Nomalizo Mapasa – Mapasa was described as a beloved person on the Wellington Campus, a mother to many students “who walked many extra miles”.
Second place - David Haarhoff
Third place - Isaac Paul
Fourth place - Selema Molopa and Tumiso Mfisa

The winners in the student category were:

First place - Bulela Limba - Bulela is the chairperson of the Student Christian Organisation. Bulela guides a team that hosts spiritual and community events, creating an inclusive environment for over 100 members. She's also the provincial chairperson of Make a Mark Africa in the Western Cape and directs volunteer teams and coordinates youth empowerment programmes for underprivileged communities. She's also part of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

Second place - Athenkosi Sobada – Athenkosi is a member of the Golden Key Honour Society CPUT chapter and has been a teaching assistant at CPUT, mentoring and assisting students with their studies and providing pastoral care. He has also been involved in the Bellville Campus first aid responders team.

Third place- Rorisang Makgana – Amongst other things Rorisang has established tutoring classes on campus, attended by many students. He also launched a YouTube channel, making his tutoring accessible to a broader audience of students facing learning challenges. He is also a Golden Key member.

The recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Quality Awards were also announced during the event.

Dr Siyanda Makaula, Director of the Quality Management Directorate outlined the Excellence in Quality Awards and said: “You can’t define excellence without taking into consideration quality. You can’t define quality without taking into consideration excellence.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology installed its 3rd Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo in a ceremony at its Bellville Campus on Wednesday.

Nhlapo was appointed in 2018 and previously served as its first Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) of Research Technology and Innovation and Partnerships where he guided the universities research mandate.

The event was attended by dignitaries like the Chancellor Thandi Modise and Minister of Higher Education and Training Naledi Pandor, along with staff and students. Prof Nhlapo was praised for his calming influence on the institution and his significant role in ushering in a new era for the Western Cape’s largest University.

Pandor said universities are meant for knowledge creation and intellectual enterprise and pledged her ministry’s support to Nhlapo and his colleagues to focus on these purposes and make them the core business of the university.
She urged the CPUT community to support Nhlapo as he is a special person with rare qualities and who is thoughtful but does not talk too much.

Prof Chris Nhlapo told the audience that he owes his hunger for greatness to his father who encouraged him to wake up early and be productive as this contributed health, wealth and wisdom.

He reflected on the lessons he learnt while growing up in the rural Free State’s Paul Roux and how they contributed in shaping him to become the doctoral graduate in chemistry he is. “Ladies and gentlemen, history defines us, but it does not determine our future.”

He added that at the centre of true African revolution and unity is education and that therefore as a developmental state, South Africa must stand on peace and stability in the education sector.
He discussed the value of education and made the call for the university to embrace smartness.

The CPUT Institutional Forum (IF) congratulated Nhlapo on his installation. “Thank you for taking on the mission of advancing CPUT into changing and often uncertain times particularly for higher education. We hear the passion in which you present the ‘One Smart CPUT’ vision, and we further welcome your enthusiasm for building a Greater CPUT legacy,” said Mandisa Silo, IF Chairperson.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT celebrated the recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards during a recent ceremony held at the Bellville Campus.

The purpose of the awards is to provide financial support to CPUT students on their journey to completing their Master’s or Doctoral studies. It is aimed at student who have achieved excellent results throughout their academic studies and who show a potential to contribute to society.

The 2023 recipients each received a certificate during the ceremony and were given the opportunity to present their research topics. Graduates of the programme were also given an opportunity to share their stories.

They 2023 recipients are:

Oritonda Muribwathoho (Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering) - Research title: Development of metal matrix composites suitable for hulls and ship decks

Murendeni Nethengwe (Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences) - Research title: 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 (Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering) - Research title: Recovery of valuable compounds from agricultural food using green technologies: Process design and Techno-economic analysis

Bongisiwe Zozo (Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry) - Research title: Purification and characterisation of the native black soldier fly larva Protein

Mzoxolo Ntabeni (Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering) - Research title: The influence of academic and industry-specific project management qualifications on the effectiveness of project managers in the construction industry

Nontle Mbana (Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering) - Research title: Development of an optimal fabrication procedure for producing aluminium based surface composites

Sindisiwe Ntsondwa (Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering) - Research title: Development of catalysts for enhancement of H2 sorption kinetics for intermetallic hydride storage application

Mfundo Radebe (Master of PR & Communication Management) - Research title - An Assessment of the integration of social media in news production in selected community radio stations in Gqeberha

The awardees all thanked the donors and the committee for the investment in their education.

Murendeni said not only had the award helped her to focus on her studies without worrying about finances but it has also boosted her confidence.  

She said she would continue to strive to make a difference in her community.

Prof Joseph Kioko, chairperson of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards Committee, said that since the programme started in 2018, a total of 21 students have been awarded and of these, 13 have completed their degrees, with 10 having graduated.

He thanked the programme’s donor, the Mauerberger Foundation Fund, under the leadership of Adv. Dianna Yach.

“The impact of the Foundation’s generosity and support for our students will ripple across many generations in many communities.”

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said the awards are bestowed annually to deserving students who have shown academic excellence and an embodiment of the CPUT graduate attributes.

“This afternoon, we are celebrating people who think they can, we are celebrating people who have demonstrated the power of choice.”

Yach said the awardees had already shown that nothing would deter them from reaching their dreams.

“I want to congratulate you all on your outstanding academic achievement. But I also want to stress.. it’s not so much the theories and the ideas that we gather through reading and knowledge seeking, it’s the human factor that makes the difference.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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In a vibrant celebration held at the Bellville Campus, Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo proudly cut the ribbon at the official naming ceremony of the student residence, Seriti House.

The residence, which first opened in 2011, has been known as New 200-bed Residence, but from 4 September 2024 will proudly be known by its new name.

Derived from Sesotho, Seriti means integrity and dignity. It describes the aura cast by people as they go through life – the shadow that grows through doing good and diminishes through malice.

Programme Director for the event, Phillip Chibvuri, welcomed all attendees and said the event was a proud moment for the institution.

It included music, cultural performances and poetry while attendees came dressed in African attire.

Zandile Jacobs, Head of Residences: Bellville, said the journey to the point of naming had been a long one and appealed to students who reside in the residence to take care of the building for future students.

Residence Business Manager Johnny Basson also reflected on the residence’s history and said the place where the residence was built in 2011 used to be just bush and vegetation.
“As the name we are here today to celebrate, we will cast the shadow of good ideas, good governance and plant the seed of proud legacy as we blast the institution into an unimaginable height,” said Basson.

Zukiswa Kama said she has been the residence coordinator for the past 11 years and was overwhelmed that the day had finally come, adding it was a momentous occasion for her, the students and the whole CPUT community.

Nhlapo unveiled the new plaque to commemorate the event and said it was a wonderful occasion to rename the residence Seriti House, adding that the name “speaks to a decolonial agenda”.

He said selecting the correct name was an important and systematic process and he urged the residents of Seriti House to live up to the meaning of the name.

Central SRC President Thamsanqa Zondi said Seriti House would not only be a place of residence but a house where friendships are formed, ideas are nurtured and futures are shared.

Dean of Students Nonkosi Tyolwana thanked the organising committee, the performers and all role-players who made the event a success.

Reflecting on the event, Chibvuri said: “It was a great way to plant the seed of the African legacy as we start heritage month and the naming of a building in an African language was most elevating and momentous for many. As CPUT celebrates this naming launch, the rest of Africa would have ululated with us as we advance and drive towards a promising future, yet building a rich history for our generations to come.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The loyalty, commitment and dedication of 240 staff members who have collectively served the institution for 4190 years, were celebrated during the recent CPUT Long Service Awards ceremony.

Among the recipients were ten staff members who have each served the institution for 40 years. They are:

• Darrol Abrahams
• Adenaan Abrahams
• David Bailey
• Gillian Khan
• Charmaine Nutt
• Patricia Samuels
• Sonja Swanich
• Elizabeth van Zyl
• Jessy Van Wyk
• Vidonia Viviers

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, thanked all recipients for the many years of dedication and sacrifice and said all of them had helped to “build up this institution brick by brick”.

“The fact that you are Long Service awardees means that many of you have seen and done it all during your tenure and have a wealth of institutional knowledge. Institutional memory is critical for the efficient functioning of any organisation.”

Nhlapo added: “CPUT will never forget what a marvellous job you have done, and you’ll always be one of us.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT recently hosted the 8th ‘multidisciplinary ‘U6 Plus International Conference at District Six Campus and this year’s conference was themed: Research, Innovation and Technology for African Development.

The U6 Plus consortium is a collaboration of more than seven universities: CPUT; Jaramogi Oginga University of Science and Technology, Kenya; Kwara State University, Nigeria; The University of The Gambia; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Ilorin, and University of Abuja, both in Nigeria.

The consortium was launched in 2012 at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and was established to foster academic linkages and educational collaboration among the six universities. The original name, the U6 consortium, reflected the six founding universities; the consortium has since expanded to encompass more than seven universities and is now known as the U6 Plus.

“The success story has been the establishment of the Herbal Research Centre domiciled at the University of Ilorin,” said its current Director, Prof Learnmore Kambizi. The researchers from member institutions have since published 15 scientific articles on a collaborative basis under the U6 Plus consortium. Member institutions host the U6 Plus International Conference on a rotational basis.

The conference was officially opened by the current Chairperson of the U6 Plus Consortium, Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo. High-quality papers were presented at the conference, with all the subthemes covered. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) was well prepared for a hybrid conference. However, 90% of the papers were presented in person. “There was a lot of interest in this conference from many African universities and the pace that was set by CPUT can propel the U6 Plus Consortium to another level,” said Kambizi.

The conference was a huge success as attested to by all the seven vice-chancellors who made their remarks at the closing ceremony. The active involvement of postgraduate students and emerging researchers was evident which “is a good sign for continuity of the consortium. “Just like other departments at CPUT, the Department of Horticulture was well represented with eight papers presented by postgraduate students,” Kambizi noted.

The unwavering support given to the LOC by Nhlapo and the whole CPUT Executive Management of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology “is highly appreciated”. “This kind of support enabled the successful hosting of the 8th U6 Plus Conference in style. Active involvement of LOC members across all our faculties was very conspicuous and this is commendable,” Kambizi remarks. He added that over 40 full papers were submitted to be published in the proceedings of the first U6 Plus International conference.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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