Cape Peninsula University of Technology

BTech Public Relations (PR) students have managed to secure a large donation as well as thousands of rands in goods for a local non-profit organisation.

Deidre Porthen, senior lecturer and head of the PR programme, said the students exceeded expectations by raising more than R60 000 and garnering valuable publicity for the Carel Du Toit Centre.

The Parow-based-centre is primarily for children suffering from bilateral hearing loss or who are considered deaf.

As part of their curriculum, the students were tasked with an assignment to secure funds for the centre as well as raise awareness.

Their campaign efforts included a Comedy Market Day where comedians including, Yaseen Baker, Ambrose Uren, and Arlene Petersen availed their services for free.

The students also organised a collection drive for three weeks at Checkers, Canal Walk. During the drive, the students approached shoppers to donate items on the Centre’s wish list of non-perishables and successfully secured over 500 wish list items.

The students’ call for donations managed to reach the Office of the Mayor and they managed to secure a R50 000 donation for the charity.

All the proceeds that were raised will positively impact young learners from the centre who suffer hearing loss.

Student Jill Baaitjies said the experience was “incredibly rewarding”.

“In the beginning, we were focused on marks but eventually it was all about the cause.”

With a mammoth task to breed golf appetite institutionally through the increased participation of students in golf, the Sport Department hosted Student Golf Day at Rondebosch Golf Course recently.

Cancer survivors, caregivers, students and staff members from CPUT, Varsity College and False Bay College participated in the first-ever CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

CPUT partnered with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to host the all-night event at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville campus on Friday.

The theme was Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.

CANSA Relay for Life is a global event that unites communities in the fight against cancer and about 6 000 such events are held worldwide annually.

The crowd were welcomed by comedian Stuart Taylor before cancer survivor Kauthar Roomaney shared her inspirational story.

“People often say you only live once but I like to say you only die once and live every day.”

The relay kicked off with a few laps around the hall by cancer survivors to loud cheers from the crowd.

This was followed by a caregivers lap.CANSA’s Leillani Geduld said they were extremely pleased with the first CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

“The atmosphere has been terrific. We thank everyone who participated, all our speakers, sponsors and MCs and CPUT for co-hosting with us. We look forward to more such events in future.”

CPUT Events Manager Cathy Cloete said the institution was proud to co-host the event.

In order for student partnerships to be successful, South African universities have to embark on listening campaigns, opening up dialogue with students on curriculum reform to reflect linguistic diversity.

CPUT is partnering with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to host the Western Cape’s first-ever CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

Students celebrated their cultures by showcasing their traditional attire as well as performed an assortment of music and traditional dances during a heritage month event.