Researchers at CPUT are planning to take innovation to another level with the development of the institution’s first satellite.

During the next two years, postgraduate students, specialising in Satellite Systems Engineering, will build a nano satellite.

This venture into space science and technology is being backed by the National Research Foundation, who recently approved funding of R21 million for the Satellite Systems Engineering Programme.

The rollout of the programme comes just months after former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe signed the SouthAfrican National SpaceAgency Bill that will drive space-related activities.

Prof Robert van Zyl, who will drive CPUT’s space activities, said with the Bill in place, the institution saw an opportunity to develop students for the South African Space Industry.

“The new Space Policy opens up opportunities for our students. This will be a viable industry in the future,” he said.

The programme is based in the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), a specialised unit at CPUT that focuses on Electronic Engineering.

The students will work alongside Prof van Zyl, F’SATI staff members and several external specialists, developing the satellite. A network of collaborators, including the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory, the Space Applications Centre, EADS ( France ), and ClydeSpace ( Scotland ) are some notable partners in this venture.

“This is a very ambitious project, but we will succeed,” he said.

Prof van Zyl said they will develop a CubeSat, which will measure 30 by 10 by 10 cm and will weigh three kg.

If all goes as planned, the satellite will be completed in 2011.

It will then be showcased at the International Astronomical Federation Conference, which will be held in Cape Town in October 2011.

“We already have commitment from the European Space Agency to facilitate the launch of the satellite,” said Prof Van Zyl.

The programme has also received backing from the Department of Science and Technology ( DST ), which has listed space science and technology as one of its grand challenges.

According to a 10 year plan drafted by the DST , South Africa must grow the local satellite industry and increase research, development and innovation in space science.

Dr Thandi Mgwebi, director of the NRF Human Capacity Programme, said to ensure this industry thrives in South Africa , higher education institutions must develop human capacity in the space arena .

She said F’SATI, which has a strong focus on innovation, can contribute to developing skills in this area.

Dr Chris Nhlapo, CPUT deputy vice-chancellor for Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, said CPUT wants to be at the forefront in contributing to the implementation and success of South Africa ’s National Space Strategy.

By Candes Keating
Photograph: Prof Robert van Zyl, who will drive CPUT’s space activities with students enrolled in programmes offered at the French South African Institute of Technology.
Written by CPUT News
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Associate Professor Irina Masalova, who is leading research in the field of Rheology in South Africa, has recently been promoted to Full Professor.

Of the several applications received by Senate for ad hominem promotions, hers was the only one to be granted a full Professorship.

Her promotion at CPUT comes five years after she was promoted to Associate Professor.

Based in the Civil Engineering Department, Prof Masalova, who has 20 years experience in teaching and research, said she is grateful that her research activities have been recognised.

“I am grateful that my work was evaluated and that the institution is satisfied with it. I am also grateful for everyone at CPUT who played a role in helping in my development,” she said.

Prof Masalova, who joined CPUT in 2000, established the first Rheology Centre in South Africa, which is based at the Cape Town campus.

The world class centre focuses on the study of material structure, a field that looks at the flow properties of various complex materials such as plastics, emulsions and suspensions.

The centre is the only one of its kind in South Africa. It is staffed with top researchers, all who are equipped with the skills to provide expertise in rheology to local industries.

The researchers have played a vital role in South African industry by resolving issues relating to new product development, processing problems and quality control.

Prof Masalova said during the past nine years the centre has established strong partnerships with leading companies,

They have worked closely with top South African companies such as Explosives Limited, Denel Explosives, LAKE International and Tenside Chemicals.

Holding a doctorate in Chemical Engineering from CPUT, Prof Masalova is no stranger to the South African industry.

She honed her skills while working as a Researcher at the Military Research Institute of Control Systems before joining academia.

Prof Masalova said together with researchers under the Material Science and Technology Niche Area, they are well positioned not only to make an impact on industry, but to play a role in increasing human capacity in rheology and material science.

“We want to attract more students and researchers,” she said.

To date the centre has supervised a number of local and international postgraduate students and secured funding for research of over R7 million.

Prof Masalova said specialised research centres are vital for higher education institutions.

She said while they are tasked with increasing human capacity and research in specific fields, specialised research centres can elevate the status of higher education institutions.

The following academics have been promoted to Associate Professor:

• Dr James Odendaal: Environmental and Occupational Studies
• Dr Marshall Sheldon: Chemical Engineering
• Dr Charles Allen-Ile: Human Resources
• Dr Kamilla Swart: Centre for Tourism Research in Africa
• Dr Jeanine Marnewick: Biomedical Sciences
• Dr Marina Clarke: Nursing

By Candes Keating Photograph: Prof Irina Massolova is the founder of South Africa’s first Rheology Centre.

Written by CPUT News
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A third year Film and Video Technology student has made CPUT proud after her movie Vuyiswa and the Magic Fish was screened at the recent Durban International Film Festival.

Thantaswa Fiki, 21, submitted her entry for the film festival after it was selected among the best three movie ideas in her class by a panel of lecturers.

The film was screened in five different venues in Durban during the Durban International Film Festival between 22 July and 2 August 2009.

The idea came about last year after Fiki and the rest of the class were given a project, which required them to put together a story idea for a film.

They later pitched their ideas to a panel and three unique and feasible story ideas were selected, whereafter the shooting began.

The film is about the character Vuyiswa, who loses her mother in a sudden death. After her mother’s death, she is distraught and alone and meets the magic fish that brings her food each day.

The plot centres around the character’s struggle with her ‘evil step-sister’ that kills the fish to make Vuyiswa’s life even more miserable. But in the end love saves the day.

According to Fiki, after the film idea was selected; the ‘real job’ began.

Fiki said: “We started immediately on pre-production, and had to find the cast for the movie and relevant location as we needed a rural place.”

Even though Fiki admitted that it was difficult to find a suitable location, they (the film crew) managed to secure Clarra Anna Fontein, a private game lodge in Durbanville.

The production of the film also gave upcoming actors a chance to showcase their talents.

Learners from Harry Gwala High School in Khayelitsha and a group of women musicians called Oomama Bonginqwa from Langa Township, who usually perform at the Waterfront, were part of the cast.

Fiki said: “Even though most of the cast was made up of unknown actors, they were good and did not give us hard time.

“We were honoured to have among us an experienced actor Zolile ‘Zorro’ Sodloyi, who played a part in the film, Intonga”, added Fiki.

After the movie was done, it was screened at the GrandWest Casino to a warm response.

Before being screened at the Durban International Film Festival, the movie was also screened on Cape Town TV, a community television station and at Ithuba Arts Festival.

Fiki heard about the film festival in Durban and decided to take her chances.

After it was agreed that her movie would be screened in the festival, she then approached the Cape Film Commission for funding.

The Cape Film Commission sponsored Fiki’s trip, including flights, accommodation and transportation to and around Durban.

Fiki’s film was based on a book written by Nick Greaves called The Magic Fish Bones.

“I had to add my own flavour in the whole story and I also added more events like witchcraft and polygamy. I wanted it to have an African perspective,” said Fiki. “The response to my recent movie has given me much strength. I have been getting a lot of compliments from high-profiled people in the industry who said they have never seen such as young person doing something in her own language,” she concluded.

By Andiswa Dantile

Photograph: (left) Students film Vuyiswa and the Magic Fish (right) Young director Thantaswa Fiki meets well-known local actor Akin Omatoso at the Durban International Film Festival

Written by CPUT News
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Two third year Mechatronics students will be representing South Africa in the international WorldSkills 2009 competition to be held in Canada during the first week of September.

WorldSkills, previously known as the "Skill Olympics”, sees hundreds of tertiary students compete against one another in the skills of their various trades.

Karl Drögemöller and Kyle Janse van Rensburg, who are both enrolled in the Mechatronics Programme, are the first CPUT students to compete in this event. They secured a place in the competition after coming out tops in the Mechatronics division at the national WorldSkills competition held earlier this year.

At the event, the students, who will participate as a team, will have to complete a number of tasks which will showcase their skills in design, assembly and programming of automated production processes.

Janse van Rensburg said he is looking forward to putting his skills to test at the competition.

“We didn’t think we would make it to the finals. I think it is going to be fun,” he said.

Drögemöller said he is excited to compete against students from across the globe. Of the 52 countries who will be represented at the competition, 40 will be competing in the Mechatronics division. Although students are aware of the nature of the tasks, specific briefs are only given on the day.

However, Drögemöller and Janse van Rensburg are positive that they are ready for the challenge.

Francois Hoffman, Co-ordinator of the Mechatronics Programme at CPUT, said: “The competition is going to be tough.”

Hoffman will accompany the students to WorldSkills, where he will represent South Africa as an expert in the Mechatronics skills evaluation.

At each WorldSkills event, a panel of experts representing the competing countries in the respective skills evaluates the competitors according to predetermined criteria. The competitors who achieve the most points are awarded a gold medal with the runners-up being awarded silver and bronze.

Meanwhile, Festo (Pty.) Ltd., a founding global partner of the WorldSkills competition, said it is vital for higher education institutions to participate in this event.

In a statement released by the company, Horst Weinert, Manager of Training and Consulting said: “Gaining exposure on the global stage, measuring our training quality against the best of the world and showing the capability of South Africa in nurturing these high technology skills, is vital to the development and positioning of South Africa as an economically powerful manufacturer and exporter.”

By Candes Keating

Photograph: Kyle Janse van Rensburg and Karl Drögemöller, who will compete in the WorldSkills 2009 competition to be held in Canada, are pictured with Francois Hoffman(middle), Co-ordinator of the Mechatronics Programme at CPUT.

Written by CPUT News
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Returning to the classroom as part of her retirement plan worked out in a big way for a CPUT graduate.

Karla Whiley scored the highest marks in an Occupational Health Nursing degree nationally and was awarded the Ian Webster silver medal by the South African Society of Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (SASOHN).

Whiley is the Regional Wellness Manager at Eskom and studied part-time, attending classes at night for the first year while nursing a broken left ankle and broken right foot.

While retirement is not an immediate concern for Whiley she says branching out into consultation or freelancing as an Occupational Health specialist later would require a BTech and she finally bit the bullet and enrolled.

“Occupational Health is a misunderstood and very niche area of nursing. I wanted to expand my career opportunities by studying and I’m not sorry that I did,” she says.

“The number of Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners registered with the South African Nursing Council represents approximately 2% of the total registered population so it is a very under-represented niche.”

Whiley credits her lecturers for going the extra mile during the difficult past few years for her success.

“There were times we had classes at our lecturer's home just to get through the curriculum. That shows the amount of dedication from their side,” she says.

Learn more about occupational health here. 

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

A CPUT academic has become the first person in South Africa to earn a PhD in Forensic Medicine and his work is helping to improve the forensic accountability with which emergency care providers respond to victims of gender-based violence.

A personal tragedy in 1995 inspired Dr Navindhra Naidoo, acting Head of the Emergency Medical Sciences Department, to pursue his field of research.

“My 19-year-old sister was murdered by an ex-boyfriend. I was still studying to be a paramedic at the time and realised that there was nothing in my curriculum that prepared me for that. It didn’t prepare us for screening, detecting or preventing these horrible things from happening.”

Naidoo said his key topic focused on gender-based violence, in particular, domestic violence, and sought to understand emergency care workers’ “current and potential response” to gender-based violence.

“What we found is that the current responses are deficient. It’s not that the rescuers don’t want to help. There’s a lot of ambivalence largely because there isn’t a sufficient referral system so the practitioners are not guided on where patients need to go and what kind of services might be available.”

Through a cohort design, he first looked at thousands of archived medical records and found that the detection rate of domestic violence or related kinds of gender-based violence, including cases of rape, was 5.1 patient contacts per 1000 female patients presenting to the Emergency Medical Services. A nine-fold increase in detection following the evidence-informed screening training and implementation translated to the detection of 47,9/1000 emergency care patients, with no adverse events. These rates are unprecedented for South African emergency care and support screening-policy implementation. The difference in domestic violence detection, quantifies the extent of the practice gap, with an alarming missed case detection of 42,8 per 1000 patients (females, 14 years plus).

In consultation with Stanford University, Naidoo developed a curriculum for the sensitisation of health workers and this was implemented in the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services.
The Health Professions Council of SA has since adopted the screening protocol.
“So about 70 000 practitioners are now ethically obligated by the HSPCA to routinely ask the question about the presence of violence in someone’s life and then to do a risk/safety assessment and provide the necessary support they might need,” says Naidoo. His work has also served, at the HPCSA, to position gender-based violence as a social determinant of health.

“What we are doing is using emergency workers as sentinels. No other person in the health service actually walks into someone’s bedroom, where the abuse occurs, to treat them in an emergency. The screening helps us to ask victims about the presence of violence and screen for risk, for example, whether there’s the presence of a firearm. When there is a risk, they can then advise the victim appropriately and enhance both public safety and practitioner responsivity.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT was earlier this year awarded a certificate in recognition of its role in the provision of Municipal Health Services (MHS) during the year 2017-2018 financial year by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

The Recognition Certificate was awarded to CPUT during the recent annual MHS National Summit at the OR Tambo International Airport.
The summit was attended by SALGA representatives, local government politicians such as mayors and councillors responsible for MHS as well as senior officials from various municipalities.
Various academics in the Department of Environmental Health present and chair commissions during these summits including lecturer Michael Agenbag who received the certificate on behalf of the university.

Agenbag is also a member of the Western Cape Municipal Health working group whose purpose is to promote and support sustainable and integrated management of Municipal Health Services in the province.

“I have been participating in these annual SALGA Summits since their inception in 2013, this year SALGA requested me to present a paper on the government’s ‘Back-to-Basics’ initiative intended to address basic municipal service challenges in our communities,” says Agenbag.

He adds that the achievement is a good advertisement for the university in the eyes of the industry and prospective students.
He says that the university’s partnership with SALGA has helped students with Work-Integrated Learning placements at municipalities.

Environmental Health Services were renamed MHS in the country in 2004, he adds.

SALGA in partnership with the South African Institute of Environmental Health and the International Federation of Environmental Health hosted the summit.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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Adrian Wyngaard was surprised to hear he graduates his MEng Electrical Engineering summa cum laude at this year’s autumn graduation.

The 26-year-old had never even considered working towards this kind of accolade, concentrating instead on the work that interested him.

He is one of the first two students to ever achieve this particular distinction at CPUT – it means both of his examiners for his Masters gave him more than 75% in their final assessment.

Wyngaard’s thesis was overseen by Dr Kessie Govender, a physicist in the Electrical Engineering department.

Govender started the Quantum Physics Research Group in 2014 and Wyngaard joined a year later. He says the other lecturer who also helped get him started on this particular path was Prof Christine Steenkamp from Stellenbosch University.

Growing up Wyngaard was the child who took things apart and he always knew he wanted to study computer engineering. Originally he wanted to get into designing the circuitry that makes up the computer but he soon realised he was interested in both programming and circuit design after his first year at CPUT.

He did his in-service training at the South African Astronomical Observatory and connected to the research environment, which spurred him to return to CPUT.

His Masters topic was Saturated absorption spectroscopy of rubidium and feedback control of Laster frequency for Doppler cooling, which meant investigating how to use a laser to cool atoms.

“We knew it could be done, but could we do it in our lab,” asked Wyngaard.

“Dr Kessie is an experimental physicist and has been working on quantum technologies previously at UKZN. When he joined CPUT he started a new research group in this field."

“We are one of three academic groups in South Africa doing this kind of research.”

He thinks the summa cum laude pass mark will help on his CV when applying for funding. He points out that applying for grants and attending conferences is still slow going because CPUT does not have a physics department dealing with fundamental research so they have to continually justify what the research group is doing. 

“It shows the calibre of students coming through the group. We are learning about quantum physics that is not taught on our engineering curriculum."

“It shows students can learn on their own, and yes, I know that is expected on a Masters level. But, it took two or three years to cover the work required and I did this while also working on my thesis.”

Next, he wants to work on a doctorate as the group continues and see where research and development take them.

Written by Theresa Smith
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Provides coverage for the Applied Sciences and Engineering Faculties and the Wellington Campus.

This year’s conference is themed Research, Innovation & Technology for African Development. 

The U6 consortium is a collaboration of six universities: CPUT; Jaramogi Oginga University of Science and Technology (formerly Bondo University College), Kenya; Kwara State University, Nigeria; The University of The Gambia; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; and University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

The consortium was launched in 2012 at the University of Ilorin in Ilorin, Nigeria and was established to foster academic linkages and educational collaboration among the six universities.
Dean of Applied Sciences Prof Olalekan Fatoki says the consortium has actually grown to encompass eight institutions since it was launched, but the name has stayed U6 to reflect the founding universities.

The two new universities to join the consortium are University of Calabar, Nigeria and University of Eldoret, Kenya.

“There have always been bilateral relationships between the universities, like Nigeria with Ghana, or South Africa with Nigeria. We realised that in many instances they had the same collaborations and conferences and that there was more strength in a collaboration between all the universities than just two at a time,” Fatoki explained.

He is the chairman of the international organising committee of the U6 Conference and his faculty will be instrumental in organising the conference, which will be held on the District Six Campus from September 4 to 6.

The local organising committee of the U6 Conference has put out a call for the submission of abstracts in any of the following thematic areas:
Climate Change/ Environmental Issues (Oceans Economy/ Blue Economy, Water & Sanitation, Energy Efficiency & Sustainability)

• Global Health and Wellness
• Agriculture & Food Security
• ICT, Tourism, Business & Governance
• Gender, Social Issues and Education for Sustainable Development

Fatoki said they hope scientists who specialise in ICT, social science or the humanities, engineers and health practitioners all consider submitting an abstract for consideration.

“Anyone with an interest in those fields should consider applying. This will be a multidisciplinary conference,” he explained.

Abstract submission deadline is June 15. Check the conference website for the abstract submission page.

Written by Theresa Smith
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Provides coverage for the Applied Sciences and Engineering Faculties and the Wellington Campus.

Newly crowned Mrs Deaf SA Tracy Duncan plans to make “a significant difference” for the deaf in South Africa. 

Duncan, who studied Graphic Design at CPUT from 2004 to 2008, said she entered the competition to prove to herself and the deaf community that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Not only did she succeed in winning the overall title but she was also chosen as Mrs Deaf Personality 2018 and Mrs Deaf Charity 2018.

Duncan, who grew up in Athlone, said she was born profoundly deaf.
“I grew up in a close-knit family of leaders. They taught me to speak better, how to advocate for myself and to always go the extra mile in life to be on the same level as my hearing peers. They always told me to be proudly deaf and overcome any obstacles thrown my way.”

She received a cochlear implant a few years ago and this has changed her life.
“I am hearing sounds I've never heard before. It has made me a lot more confident in terms of knowing what I am actually hearing and being able to speak clearer.” Duncan wants to see the MDSA (Miss, Mr, & Mrs Deaf South Africa) brand to grow and says her responsibilities are to represent the brand, give workshops and raise funds.

“I also have my very own platform to run. It is a national fitness campaign across South Africa.”
She has the following message for deaf students: "The Deaf can do anything but hear. This is exactly how you should see yourselves. You can achieve anything in life if you put in the hard work, believe and trust in yourselves and always see the ability in your disability no matter what obstacles are thrown your way.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT’s new Staff Development Academy (SDA) offers staff a one-stop shop to grow their skills.

According to Human Capital: Learning and Development’s Shahieda Hendricks, the SDA strives to offer “ONE SMART platform where all staff development programmes, training information, relevant resources and valuable self-development programmes are available 24/7”.

It will be updated daily with new training programmes and information. The training programmes and information is a collaboration of various internal and external partners.

Staff can now access the Induction programme on the SDA which is available at all times and more than 30 training programmes on offer, ranging from courses offered by the Research Directorate, CTS, Human Capital to Risk Management and many more.

“The SDA aims to promote a learning culture for CPUT staff whilst providing the necessary support in developing skills and knowledge. We cater to the needs of staff members by making available courses which will enhance their ability to complete their day-to-day tasks. By doing so, we hope to promote job satisfaction and increase productivity amongst staff members,” said Hendricks

The SDA will soon add more interesting and valuable resources and opportunities.

The SDA may be accessed using the following methods.

• Staff members may access the SDA using the following link: https://sda.cput.ac.za/
• Those who do not have access to the link may simply browse the internet by searching up “CPUT Staff Development Academy”.
• Staff members may also access the link via the email signatures of the Learning and Development team.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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FNB CPUT began their Varsity Shield title defence with a 38-7 win against hosts FNB Rhodes.

Two converted tries, by No 8 Eely Pieters and right wing Christopher Andrews, gave the champions a 14-0 half-time lead.

Lock Moegamat Toffar crossed the line early in the second half for FNB CPUT, before the Stallions finally got on the board in the 54th minute, when outside centre Jano Roux scored a converted try.

FNB CPUT claimed their bonus-point try through flank Keanan Solomons and flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders’ fourth conversion made it 28-7. 

Outside centre Björkan Hendricks and replacement Duran Alexander then scored late tries to round off a convincing victory.

FNB Varsity Shield Round 1 results and scorers:

FNB UFH Blues 13 (8) – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela, Migcobo Bovu; Penalty: Keith Chiwara.

FNB TUT Vikings 3 (3) – Penalty: Mauritz Maritz
FNB Player That Rocks: Migcobo Bovu (FNB UFH Blues)

FNB WSU All Blacks 22 (22) – Tries: Sicelo Tole, Ayabulela Zono, Lwandile Mapuko. Conversions: Mapuko (2), Penalty: Mapuko

FNB UKZN Impi 23 (8) – Tries: Menzi Mabaso, Tristan Trollip, Devandré Adendorf; Conversion: Jarryd Nicholl; Penalties: Dawro Kock (2)

FNB Player That Rocks: Menzi Mabaso (FNB UKZN Impi)

FNB Rhodes 7 (0) – Try: Jano Roux; Conversion: Siyolise Mabodla.
FNB CPUT 38 (14) – Tries: Eely Pieters, Christopher Andrews, Moegamat Toffar, Keanan Solomons, Björkan Hendricks, Duran Alexander; Conversions: Feghon-Leigh Snyders (4)
FNB Player That Rocks: Feghon-Leigh Snyders (FNB CPUT)

Written by Varsity Shield

FNB CPUT fans can look forward to a bumper weekend with the team playing in two home games – the first on Friday and the second on Sunday night.

In addition, four other Varsity Shield round 5 and 6 games will also be played at the CPUT Sports Stadium in Bellville.

The defending champions will take on the FNB UFH at 17h00 on Friday in Bellville.

The game is expected to be action-packed with FNB UFH currently at the top of the log and FNB CPUT second.

On Sunday FNB CPUT will face FNB UKZN at 19h00 on at the CPUT Sports Stadium.

Both games will be broadcast live on Supersport.

The times for the other games are as follows:

FNB UKZN vs FNB Rhodes at 15h00 on 1 April

FNB WSU vs FNB DUT at 19h00 on 1 April

FNB Rhodes vs FNB WSU at 15h00 on April 3

FNB DUT vs FNB TUT at 17h00 on April 3.

All games will be broadcast live on Supersport.

Tickets are sold online at R20 per day. Click here to purchase.

Supporters T-shirts are sold at the Marketing and Communication Department offices in Bellville for R30 each.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Dr Michael Twum-Darko, BIIC project manager is over the moon after the Business Innovation and Incubation Centre won a grant of GBP 20 000 to implement a community-building programme.

The Business Innovation and Incubation Centre (BIIC) has won a grant of GBP 20 000 to implement a community-building programme called Inclusive Technopreneurship Forum/Conference (ITF). The ITF is intended to bring African universities together in 2022 to share research output, learning, teaching and assessment experiences as well as community engagement activities to develop African graduates to become technopreneurs.

This is an additional grant to the GBP 100, 000 granted to the BIIC to implement an inspiring-based pedagogy to develop graduates as technopreneurs – sustainable inclusive industry-linked graduates technopreneurship development infrastructure. This CPUT/ Faculty of Business and Management Sciences /BIIC initiated projects with Manchester Metropolitan University (as a United Kingdom partner) and Snake Nation (Ecosystem Partner) have received global recognition.

While each participating Innovation for African Universities (IAU) stakeholder will feature on the ITF programme flyer CPUT and Manchester Metropolitan University remain the convener and organiser Institutes, respectively to ensure a responsible sustainability plan in the foreseeable future. The ITF was designed using the International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics framework, and the co-partners are Durban University of Technology , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana), University of Venda , Kenyatta University (Kenya) and Industry partners from FinTech, GovTech, WineTech and Telco global players.

“We have already received enquiry from leading publishing houses in UK to publish the proceedings of ITF,” said Dr Michael Twum-Darko, BIIC project manager.

However, CPUT and Manchester Metropolitan University remain the convener and organiser institutes respectively to ensure a responsible sustainability plan in the foreseeable future.

Dean of Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Prof Paul Green, said the grant was some exciting news which is aligned to Vision 2030 of One Smart CPUT.

Industry and ecosystem partners will be invited to participate and sponsor the annual ITF . Future editions of the annual ITF will be planned at least two years in advance to mitigate any potential risks associated with it. Technical and non-technical keynote speakers wil be invited to the ITF.

A dedicated database and email updates subscription will be explored to establish the world’s first inclusive technopreneurship community of practice (ITCoP) that works collaboratively with the IAU CoP.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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In an effort to build on and explore partnerships and capacity building in the field of space, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) Space Science and Technology (SST) Chief Directorate and the Department of Defence (DoD) visited the Space facility infrastructure in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (FEBE) recently.

The two government departments were at CPUT to conceptualise and co-design space programmes that are relevant to the national imperatives and societal needs.  The delegation also included delegations from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Armscor.

In his welcoming speech,  Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said: “We acknowledged that the challenges facing the global community are getting more complex and interdependent and thus global partnership between universities, business, industry and government are essential elements for the success of any institution.  Partnership/collaboration, however, is not a given, collaborate or collapse,” Nhlapo continued.

“The facility you are visiting today owes its success to the CPUT, DSI, The French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) that was jointly developed by French and South African Governments, National Research Foundation (NRF) and SANSA.”

The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that it is a mandate of the institution to produce adaptable graduates who are solution driven and can respond to socio-economic challenges. Nhlapo further reiterated the importance of collapsing the boundaries within collaborations to strengthen strategic partnerships and initiatives. He said these can be achieved through continuous engagements with various stakeholders. “We managed to look beyond the hype and mania associated with 4IR (not to mention fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

Nhlapo said universities cannot protect jobs which are made redundant by technology – “but they do have a responsibility to their people”. “Protect people (upskilling) not jobs,” he remarked.

“If technology is killing jobs, then it is only technology [that] can save them.  It is the new equation, and we must solve it.”

Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships Assistant Dean, Prof Veruscha Fester and Dr Angus Brandt – FSATI/ASIC, provided an overview of the FEBE and Satellite Programme. Acting Chief Engineer, Nyameko Royi facilitated a tour of the space facilities.

SST Chief Director, Humbulani Mudau acknowledged the continuous partnership DSI has with CPUT. Mudau pointed out that they brought DoD, SANSA and Armscor to allow the opportunity to engage with engineering to understand CPUT requirements. Manager Research Uptake: Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Dr Nelisiwe E. Maleka, added that the key message from the engagements “was that creating access to space and building viable indigenous programme is critical for our country”. “Therefore, a need exists to create opportunities within the field of space and explore other ways of increasing SMMEs [small, micro, and medium enterprises], business development and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile SANSA acting CEO, Andiswa Mlisa, said: “More women should be encouraged to join the field of space because transformation is key.”

 It is envisaged that this is a continuing and progressive partnerships between delegates and CPUT.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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In line with the Just Energy Transition agenda, to maintain economic growth, sustainability and job creation in the surrounding areas that have been dependent to the coal fired power stations, Eskom chief executive officer, Andre de Ruyter visited the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) on the Bellville campus recently.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo welcomed De Ruyter and Eskom’s General Manager, Mandy Rambharos. Earlier this year, SARETEC, Director, Mokgadi Modise and Acting SARETEC Operations Manager, Hendrick Volschenk had conducted a site visit at the Komati Power Station on 22 April 2022 from which the Eskom team had to also conduct a similar site inspection of the SARETEC on 13 May 2022.

De Ruyter said the visit followed several engagements between Eskom, the SARETEC and the South African Wind Association (SAWEA) on renewable energy options in line with the Just Energy Transition agenda.  De Ruyter said: “Among others is to maintain economic growth, sustainability and job creation in the surrounding areas that have been dependent to the coal fired power stations following the decommissioning phase. Among others, training in the form of reskilling and upskilling of the Eskom workforce, surrounding communities has remained part of the primary objective is to find balance between the decommissioning and just transition phases.”

He shared Eskom’s plan to repurpose the coal fired powered stations for good use while emphasising that the collective has a social responsibility to maintain an enabling environment for economic growth in those areas where the power plants are located to prevent any possibility of creating ghost towns following the decommissioning phase.  De Ruyter said because of SARETEC’s accreditation, institutional capacity it has built over the years and existing skills is better placed to support Eskom and therefore there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

Nhlapo affirmed that CPUT need to increase/ramp-up the marketing of SARETEC as “It is still the best-kept secret to some key and critical stakeholders”. “However, the visit was extremely successful,” Nhlapo said. Reflecting on the potential partnership, the Vice-Chancellor said: “It means that CPUT is going to formally sign a MoA [Memorandum of Agreement] with Eskom. The agreement between the tripartite, SARETEC, South African Wind Energy Association and Eskom on the establishment of Eskom Training Centre as part of the Just Energy Transition which will benefit both the faculty and the institution.”

He said the initiative is mutually beneficial to all the parties. “At a very high-level it is also an opportunity for CPUT as per the Higher Education Act to respond to the needs of the Republic and of the communities we served by contributing to [address] the energy challenges faced by the country.”

Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho expressed the positive effect that could also be drawn from other areas that the University had partnered with other institutions of higher learning in the field of research in addition to the renewable energy.

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Prof Marshall Sheldon said the purpose of the visit was to provide the Eskom delegation an opportunity to tour the National Renewable Energy facility. Sheldon shared with Eskom representatives that additional structures are in place such as the SARETEC Management Committee and the Governance Board that provide support and ensure that SARETEC deliver on its commitments.

Sheldon stated that the Faculty’s Vision 2030 is to be a leading faculty in Engineering and the Built Environment that advances knowledge through Science, Technology, and Innovation for the benefit of society. “The mission is to be a self-sustaining faculty that is responsive and relevant; environmentally conscious; renowned for its innovation in teaching and learning, research, and technological development; and produces graduates that contribute to society,” Sheldon continued.

“This potential partnership between SARETEC and Eskom will contribute to the Faculty’s vision and mission in that that outcome will positively impact on the society, communities, the economy and the environment.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Dr Yvonne Maphosa says the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award “is not just a bursary, it’s an acknowledgement of outstanding postgraduate students who have shown academic excellence and an embodiment of the CPUT graduate attributes”.

Here Maphosa talks about how grateful she was to receive it.

The Zimbabwean-born academic obtained her Doctorate in Food Science and Technology during the CPUT Autumn Graduation Series 2022.  Maphosa completed her BTech in Food Technology (Cum Laude) in 2013 and was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal as the best graduating student in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. She passed her Master’s with distinction and graduated in September 2016.

Reflecting on her career journey, the bubbly author says: “A PhD is not a walk in the park. It requires a lot of emotional and financial support. It’s a very difficult journey that requires commitment and strength. I was blessed with the support of my family, friends and fellow postgraduate students. I had amazing supervisors as well. They held my hand and guided me through. I will forever be indebted to them. The CPUT postgraduate centre was also very helpful and always there to assist.”

The last born of six says a PhD is very expensive and the VC’s Prestigious Achievers Award provided for her tuition, residence and everything she needed to successfully complete her PhD.

The VC’s Prestigious Achievers Award played a huge role in the completion of her studies.

“It also came with tremendous non-financial support from the committee and the VC’s office, all of which I’m deeply grateful for.”

A believer and a go-getter, Maphosa says: “It is [a] motivation to keep on excelling. It inspired me to be the best I could be.”

Growing up in Mambale village, deep in the rural areas of Plumtree, Zimbabwe, working hard came naturally for Maphosa. “Working [hard] was instilled in me from a young age. Waking up early to work the fields before running many kilometres to school, then running to the river to fetch water after school taught me that in life you have to work hard. It also taught me balance and time management.”

Maphosa, who has always been an A student, has won numerous prestigious awards throughout her academic journey in the form of funding, medals, trophies, certificates, and scholarships. “They serve as acknowledgements, reassurances and motivations to accomplish more.”

Besides being an academic, she is an award-winning author. and has published two fiction novel series; The y in yOUR Man is Silent (national bestseller) and Grasping at Straws (award winning).

Maphosa is also involved in charity work. She runs a campaign called Buy-A-Pad with Yvonne. She collects and donates sanitary pads to disadvantaged women and girls. She also has a writing competition, Luvone, aimed at discovering young, unpublished writers. From this competition, the book: Luvone: an anthology of short stories was published. Maphosa is involved in several community projects in Zimbabwe, especially those aimed at empowering the girl child and advocating for women rights.Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro was another highlight of her life.

In her message to prospective students, Maphosa says: “Be yourself. You can only realise your true potential if you are truly yourself. Don’t waste your life mimicking other people or chasing the wind at the expense of your dreams. Focus! Set your goals and work towards them.”

Maphosa also acknowledged the support she received from the Vice-Chancellor and the awards committee.  “Thank you for awarding me the Vice-Chancellor's Prestigious Achievers Awards. I am sincerely humbled and elated that you found me a suitable beneficiary for this honourable award. It made a remarkable difference in my PhD journey and my life as a whole. I’m truly grateful.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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What started as a favourite pet name inspired a CPUT staff member to enroll towards a doctoral degree. Senior caretaker at Mowbray Campus, Nyaniso Zonke (50), defied hardships to register for the DTech degree in Public Management.

In 2016 Zonke registered for the D-Tech degree but unfortunate circumstances forced him to deregister in 2017. He reregistered in 2019 but the Covid-19 pandemic and its accompanying lockdowns came about in 2020 and he could not collect data for his research and deregistered again.

“When l was growing up my parents use to call me Doctor and l knew when they use that name l would get tea. So that's why l am interested in becoming an official Dr to reclaim what my parents have been saying,” says Zonke.

Born in a remote village in rural Centane, Eastern Cape, Zonke was not born jn hospital. “My mother could not reach hospital,” he says. He adds that a nearby home was used to deliver him instead. He is a member of a family of ten children. “l come after twins, l still have both parents who depend on me for everything,” he says.

He passed matric in 1992 with exemption at Ncedisizwe Senior Secondary School in Centane. “I had to travel an hour on foot to and from school,” remembers Zonke.

“I was motivated by the need to put bread on the table for my family, in order to do that l needed education,” he continues. He then worked as a security guard but his monthly income of R1 500 did not meet his home’s needs. “One day l decided to the quit security job wherein l was paid R1500. 00.I could not take it anymore and decided to take my monthly salary to pay my school fees,”. One other aspect that motivated Zonke to further his studies is that he hoped that one day something better would come his way and get a better salary as he was the only one working at his home.

“I grew up in an area where education was not a matter of interest and that kept me focused and wanted to make a difference,” murmurs Zonke. “My parents were always telling me to study, so they are my pillar of strength. Suffering is what makes me continue.”

He enrolled towards a Diploma in Public Management at CPUT in 2009 and proceeded to a B-Tec degree in Public Management in 2012. Forced him to deregister in 2017. In 2013 Zonke did an M-Tech in Public Management and in 2016 he registered fora D-Tech degree but unfortunate circumstances.

“In 2019, l again registered but Covid-19 came in 2020 and [I]could not collect data from my research” area and had to deregister again, until now which l will register next year,” he said.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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An academic in the Faculty of Education, Prof Hanlie Dippenaar, is one of the editors of a recently launched book while Jacqui Scheepers, Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement is one of the authors.

Another lecturer, Dr Rolene Liebenberg, a very experienced community engagement pioneer in the institution, is author of a chapter on “The transformative pedagogical potential of preservice teacher professional learning communities embedded in a mathematics service-learning course”.

The book is titled: Community Engagement Research in South Africa – Methods, Theories, Histories and Practice.

It is published by Van Schaik Publishers and emphasises the importance of community engagement in Higher Education.

“It showcases the value of partnering with communities, including community engagement and service-learning initiatives in the curriculum. It foregrounds students and academics as change agents in higher education,” said Dippenaar.

Dippenaar, who also authored a chapter in the book (“Collaboration embedded in service-learning through the lenses of a network of activity systems and a Change laboratory”), has been involved in Community Engagement and Service-learning since 2004, as a lecturer at the University of Pretoria (UP).

“When I joined CPUT in 2012, I continued this journey under the leadership of Mrs Jacqui Scheepers. Prof Irma Eloff, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UP at the time I was there, is one of the editors of the book, and invited me onto the project.”

She said the project was a lengthy one which took several years to complete, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic slowed things down.

“The authors who participated, however, are all experts in their fields and it was a privilege to work with them. Prof Elize van Eeden (editor) and Prof Irma Eloff are both experienced academics and I learned much from their leadership and guidance. We were all very passionate about the project as community engagement is an essential part of higher education and enhances the professional development of our students and lecturers,” Dippenaar said.

She added that working with colleagues collaboratively in community projects is very rewarding as it develops critical thinking, problem-solving and social responsibility.

“When we partner with our communities and learn from their skills and expertise, we prepare our students for a better society”. The cross-disciplinary engagement with community partnership has potential to provide a holistic view of education for students. Several chapters in this publication showcases examples of collaborative research.

At the book launch held at North West University, Beatrix Bouwman, former chairperson of the South African Higher Education Community Engagement Forum (SAHECEF), said universities can contribute to community development by applying the basic principles of community engagement such as engaged research that is relevant and addressing community needs, and by engaged teaching and learning such as service-learning.

“I am confident that the scholarly contributions that the book brings, will impact this field of studies and those who are serious about its development in South Africa, Africa and beyond.”

Scheepers said her units strive to support the scholarship of engagement, which benefits students, staff and external university partners.

“As one of the authors, I want to express my gratitude for being able to contribute to this book, and am proud that one of our own, Prof. Hanlie Dippenaar, is one of the editors. We will continue to celebrate the engaged research achievements of CPUT as we grow our research footprint for SL and CE.”

Dippenaar said all their community engagement initiatives at CPUT are guided by Scheepers and the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning.

“They support us in all our projects, which was difficult during Covid. However, when we read the reflections and final reports by our students, we see the difference it made in their lives and how much they learned. The chapter I wrote in the book reflects some of our projects and was written in collaboration with Prof Marianne Teras from Stockholm University and Prof Eloff from UP. “

She said the project had been “most rewarding” and will contribute to the scholarship of service-learning and community engagement in Higher Education.

“I would like to thank all the authors for sharing their research and my co-editors for the privilege of working with them. I would also like to thank my Dean and colleagues from the Faculty of Education for opportunities to implement CE in our curriculum and look forward to taking this further in our new projects with colleagues and communities in and around CPUT as well as collaborating with partners overseas in a new project in India.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A fourth-year student’s superb rope-skipping skills earned her a place in the Western Cape Kgati team who recently jumped their way to a silver medal at the National Indigenous Games Tournament.

Tourism Management student and Kgati player Abenathi Ntelezi from Khayelitsha is a keen sport enthusiast who says Kgati requires fitness and flexibility, a variety of styles, coordination, and the ability to sing while jumping – all of which necessitates practice and regular training.

“Kgati, also known as ugqaphu in Xhosa, is a rope-skipping game played by a team of six players (three girls and three boys). Players skip over a rope, two players swing the rope while the others jump and you can jump in singles, doubles, triples or even four players inside the rope. You sing and dance while jumping and all songs must be traditional,” she explained.

“I started playing Kgati at school sports level (juniors), where I was selected to represent the Western Cape Province in Pretoria, Gauteng. In that tournament, we finished in position one – a gold medal, which is how I was identified for the senior team. Since then I have not stopped, and I continue training to today.”

She said this year’s games taught her about unity and celebrating diverse cultures while respecting and tolerating people from various backgrounds.

“To me, the experience was more than just sports; it was an educational experience that reminded me of my cultural roots and instilled a sense of pride in me. While I was there to compete, it was more about preserving age-old traditions and stories, which has also helped me learn and understand the social construct of different cultures and traditions within our country. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to next year's national games endeavours, which I will begin preparing for this year.”

The team finished second out of the nine provinces represented, earning a silver medal.

Abenathi was recently selected as a coach for the Western Cape province's u/14 Kgati team, which will compete in the South African School Sports Championships in Pretoria from December 9 to 15.

“This is one code where there’s growth. It is very encouraging to see development and being recognised.,” she said.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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