As a matriculant, she envisioned herself traveling the world on a grand ship, embarking on a unique journey free from employment worries after her studies. Recently, Olwethu Mtsewu-Sisilana turned that dream into reality, trending nationally for her remarkable achievement of piloting the 400-meter-long MSC Nicola Mastro, one of the world’s largest container vessels, into the Port of Ngqura, making history in the process.

Born in Qanda Location, Xesi, Mtsewu-Sisilana is the youngest of five children. Growing up between Xesi and Mdantsane, she completed her schooling at Buchule Technical High School in 2005. Her interest in Maritime Studies was sparked by her older brother, a teacher in a local school, which (school) was involved in a CPUT and Transnet National Ports Authority programme promoting the field in the Eastern Cape. Encouraged by this, she applied to CPUT and was accepted into the National Diploma: Maritime Studies (Navigation) in 2006.

“When I made a choice to go study Maritime Studies, I had no background or knowledge about careers at sea… I was very hopeful and positive that I was making the right choice.”

Her parents instilled the belief that “if you work hard and get educated, you can be anything you want to be in life.” This mindset drove her to embrace hard work, self-belief, adaptability, and respect for all. Growing up as a young Black woman from a rural area, these values guided her through the diverse and challenging maritime industry.

She enrolled at CPUT in 2006 and received a Transnet bursary in 2007. In 2008, she began her cadetship with the Transnet Maritime School of Excellence and completed 14 months of sea time as a Deck Cadet on the M.V. Safmarine Komati in 2009.

After finishing her sea time and excelling in an oral exam at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in April 2011, Mtsewu-Sisilana returned to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Port of Ngqura as a trainee tug master. She became a qualified tug master a year later, managing the crew and vessel operations.

A few years later, she was nominated for pilot training in Durban, which included practical training in Rotterdam. She continued in the Port of Cape Town and earned her first licence for vessels up to 15 000 GT in December 2016. In 2022, she obtained her Open Licence for the Port of Ngqura, all while enjoying time with her family, cooking, and traveling with friends. “Which meant I could operate any size or type of ship calling our port”.

“Challenges I faced in my career over the years were working with ship captains who did not believe in women working at sea. That meant I had to work extra hard to get the same recognition as my male colleagues. Getting onboard a vessel, and the captain immediately doubts your skills before you can even say a word, there is no room for mistakes. I pride myself in handling big container ships even in bad weather conditions, I still docked and sailed them safely without causing any incidents.”

She continued: “I always tell myself nothing is impossible, if another human being can do it, what is stopping me? And when given an opportunity, grab it with both hands and run with it.”

The best memorable moments in her career are traveling, seeing different countries all over the world, meeting and working with different nationalities, and learning about different cultures. “Maritime exposed me to the world, the good and the bad, and to never limit myself.

She envisions herself as an inspiration to all young girls in South Africa, especially from the rural villages of the Eastern Cape. “To never stop dreaming big, not only in the Maritime industry, but in anything you would love to become in life. I want them to read my story and believe that nothing is impossible, through hard work and perseverance, you can succeed and break the chains of poverty and lack in your families.”

She adds that when she arrived at CPUT, she had no clue that one day she would be at the helm of breaking records and “being a part of a historic milestone not only for TNPA but also for the economy of our country.

“Granger Bay is a very small campus, and we quickly became one big family. The support, love, and unity we received from different backgrounds as students was a blessing to all of us. That department was put together and tailored just for us. She said her lecturers were “simply the best”. “I am truly grateful.” The wife and mother of three says, between work and home, she keeps a very small circle of friends.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For alumna Lauren O’Connor-May the inspiration for her recently published children’s book, Dream House Adventures, began in the quiet moments of a cherished bedtime routine.

The mother of seven says she and her daughter Verity used to do collaborative storytelling at bedtime and one night Dream House Adventures was born.

“…she asked me to tell her a story about a house. As I narrated, she became very quiet and listened more intently than she ever had before. Eventually she fell asleep and by the time I got to the end, I realised that I'd pretty much been telling the rest of the story to myself because she was already in a deep sleep.

“I was curious as to why this story had kept her so engaged so the next morning, I told it to my other daughters. It started a debate between them about whether the house was really magical or not and the discussion got quite heated. I realised then that this idea that we'd dreamt up had some potential and I typed it up and sent a manuscript to publishers.”

O’Connor-May hails from Mitchells Plain and studied journalism at Peninsula Technikon. She has fond memories of her days at the Bellville campus.

“There are so many [good memories] but I think the biggest thing for me was finding my tribe. I loved being in an environment where everyone was good at the same things as me. In the beginning it was humbling to realise that I wasn't as wonderful at the things that I was best at as I thought I was.

“But once I got over myself, I enjoyed the stimulating conversations and having so many common interests with people.”

Her book draws from her own family experiences.

“I have folders and folders of pictures of family adventures and some of them the illustrator used to style the drawings in the book. My kids love to bury each other in beach sand, like the sisters in the book do, and we've also made trips up Table Mountain.”

Asked how she juggles a busy household with seven children, her career as a journalist and being an author and what motivated her creative pursuits, she replied:

“This is always difficult to answer because it is not something I am doing consciously. As life changes, we naturally adapt and as our family grew, we adapted. So, how long is a piece of string? There definitely were some moments where I only survived by God's grace and during those times, the support of my family and the busyness of having a large family and a job, kept me grounded and moving forward.

“I also found that the less time I spend on screens, the more organised and creative I am.”

*Dream House Adventures is published by Lapa Publishing, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa. The book is available in English and Afrikaans.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT alumna and celebrity chef, Siba Mtongana will be joining an interactive webinar touching on topics such as young women empowerment and personal development.

Staff and students are invited to join the Young Women Empowerment programme for an interactive conversation with Mtongana, on 7 August 2021 from 10 am via Zoom. “Having a woman of Siba’s calibre to come to share her experiences and advice with us all is such an honour. She encompasses everything we want young women in society to develop and aspire to be, so we would love for you all to join us and share in the experience,” said Melanie Marais, Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit

Marais said the purpose of the event is to empower young women in terms of conversations with influential and well-known women such as Mtongana.  “We are proud to know she is a CPUT alumna.

“She is popularly known to be an international multi-award winning chef, culinary extraordinaire, author and entrepreneur.”

The Young Women Empowerment Programme is an initiative of the Division of Student Affairs, championed by the HIV/Aids Unit.  This initiative started about four years ago after the Unit noticed an increase in gender-based violence and the plight of many women in society. Through being relevant and responsive to these problems women face on almost a daily basis, the Unit aims to empower young women in terms of entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development and reproductive health awareness. This programme is also known to the neighbouring universities and technical and vocational education and training colleges and the Institution, therefore, extended the invitation to them as well. The hashtag is #YoungWomenLeadingTheChange

The end goal is to create opportunities for youth to learn from experienced and influential members of society and give them the platform to engage celebrities and businesswomen of Siba’s calibre.  “With Siba being an award-winning chef, entrepreneur and owner of SIBA the Restaurant, she will be able to share some great tips to aspiring young entrepreneurs on how to overcome challenges especially during these trying times,” Marais remarks.

This webinar is open to everyone so be sure to use the link provided below to join •Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96619691425?pwd=TGZsOHk5WnhnQjlpT3I1VnpnVS9Ndz09 Meeting ID: 966 1969 1425 Passcode: 702974 

Any additional information regarding the webinar can be found on the poster and for any enquiries email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We hope to see you all there #wearecput #SibaMtongana #yweprogramme #InConversation #webinaralert

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Centre for Community Engagement and Work- Integrated Learning (WIL) recently hosted a 'Trans-disciplinary Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Partnership Summit World Café and Open Space Dialogue'.

The primary purpose of the occasion was to gather stakeholders including lecturers and students from various disciplines, government officials, community members and CPUT alumni to surface, explore and put forward inputs towards formulating guidelines for designing and implementing ‘Transdisciplinary Service Learning’.

Doug Reeler from Tamarind Tree Associates who facilitated the different sessions said: “In my view this was achieved. Each of the groups that met documented their findings and submitted these to [Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Units Manager], Jacqui Scheepers who will oversee the formulation of the said guidelines.”

The workshop’s theme was, “How can we work creatively across disciplines to enhance service and service engagement? What are we getting right and what do we need to get right?” Reeler said the event helped to strengthen relationships for future work in this important field. “People learned much from each other and I was told that several [people] made plans for working together.  I also saw people being honoured for their contribution over the past year,” he added.

Student, Mikayla Siljeur said the event was a great opportunity to network with academic staff and community partners outside of a formal setting. “The open space dialogue created an opportunity for me to develop some innovative ideas that would be beneficial for future students,” she remarked.

Another student, Jessica Martheze said: “This experience has allowed me to have better perspective of community service.”

Meanwhile CPUT alumnus, Mpendulo Gabayi recommended regular similar workshops. “It was very fruitful with people coming up with interesting opinions which can help the common goal which is integrated learning and how we can support the students and community at large,” Gabayi noted. Department of Applied Sciences lecturer and Work-Integrated Learning Co-ordinator, Dr Lalini Reddy said the event was a great and ‘very refreshing programme’.

Reddy said: “We found out how similar we are in terms of identifying a need for our society to collectively groom our youth to become our future leaders.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It’s just a matter of days before alumni from across the country descend on the Bellville campus for the inauguration ceremony of the first-ever Alumni Association of the CPUT.

One of South Africa’s most highly-regarded business leaders and a CPUT alum himself, Edward Kieswetter, will be the keynote speaker at the glittering event. The Group CEO of financial services giant, Alexander Forbes, is expected to urge his fellow alumni to engage with and support their alma mater and enjoy the opportunity for old friends to reconnect, network and build community.

Alumni officers Valerie Deelman, Nandipha Madadasana and Francois Jooste have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the launch is a glittering and fun-filled celebration.

Say the three, “We’re extremely proud of the accomplishments of our graduates and the contribution our alumni make to their chosen professions, communities, and beyond. As we approach the milestone of celebrating ‘The 1^st Decade of Prominence and Prosperity’ as a merged institution, there’s never been a better time for our alumni, old and new, near or far, to help us position the CPUT as a world-class, socially-responsive university that embraces the cutting-edge of technology. “

The auspicious occasion, kicks off at 09h30 for 10am at the Bellville Auditorium this coming Saturday 16^th March and will be followed by lunch. The event will also be streamed on the Internet for those unable to physically attend – log onto www.cput.ac.za/live to follow this groundbreaking event live.

All CPUT alumni, particularly staff of the CPUT who haven’t RSVP’ed to the invite as yet, are urged to please respond to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hundreds of alumni have joined forces to launch the university’s official Alumni Association. Saturday’s glittering ceremony saw graduates young and old, pledging their talent, time, skill and influence to give back to their Alma Mater.

The inauguration of the Alumni Association was timed to coincide with the kick-start of a campaign to champion the CPUT as it nears its first ten years as a merged institution. The “1^st Decade of Prominence and Prosperity” campaign will lean heavily on alumni – the CPUT’s foremost brand ambassadors – to position the institution as a world-class, socially-responsive university that embraces the cutting-edge of technology.

The campaign received a massive boost at the launch as HG Traveling Services, the university’s official transport provider, donated a whopping one and a half million rand. Owner of HG Traveling Services, Leon Daniels, says, “ This first gift to the “1^st Decade” campaign is intended to boost the university, her students, and all her future alumni to live up to the letters of the acronym CPUT – may they Create, Prosper, Uplift and Thrive.”

The event also saw the introduction of the newly-elected AA executive members to those present. Jeff Daniels, who holds a BTech in Civil Engineering is the first-ever chairperson of the Alumni Association. Andiswa Mali, who holds a B.Tech degree in Quantity Surveying is the deputy chairperson, while Mandla Ntlanganiso, Simphiwe Ntlantsana and Mfundo Lee Marasi make up the remaining three members of the executive.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Graduates from the Faculty of Business were encouraged to read the classics and history of the continent’s leaders and capital cities by guest speaker Nils Flaaten during the faculty’s Third Graduation Ceremony at the Cape Town Campus.

Flaaten, who is a Chief Executive Officer at Wesgro, commended the graduates for their achievement which he said is a product of toil, endeavour and courage as some of them come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He warned graduates that their achievements come with a great responsibility because they are a select few who have achieved academic excellence. He said the day marked the beginning of a new journey for the graduates.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, conferred diplomas, B-Tech and M-Tech degrees on hundreds of students. Fourty-four graduates obtained their qualifications cum laude.

A moment of silence was observed when a National Diploma in Event Management was awarded posthumously to Anathi Tshandu, who passed away recently.  

This evening will see graduates, their friends and families converge at the Bellville Campus for the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences graduation ceremony, while the Faculty of Informatics and Design will hold its graduation ceremony tomorrow morning at the Cape Town Campus.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Port Elizabeth became the most recent city in South Africa to host a 2008 reunion for CPUT alumni. The event, which took place at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Conference Centre on 28 June, gave graduates of CPUT and the Peninsula and Cape Technikons the chance to reconnect with old classmates and reminisce about student days.

CPUT currently maintains contact with approximately sixty alumni in the Eastern Cape area. Events such as this are an important way for the institution to keep in touch with graduates who have moved to other parts of the country. The Port Elizabeth reunion was supported by a number CPUT stalwarts who reside in the friendly city, such as Loretta Erasmus, Programme Manager of Health Information at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Other alumni travelled in from the surrounding towns such as Uitenhage.

Alumni reunions typically include a presentation from a CPUT graduate who had gone on to make his or her mark in an interesting field. The reunion in Port Elizabeth featured BEE verification agent and SMME Business Solutions managing member Dumisani Mpafa. He discussed ways in which broad-based BEE could be harnessed to improve socio-political stability.

Other reunions were held earlier this year in East London, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Bridget Maclou, of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) was guest speaker at the Johannesburg reunion, held at in May at Vodaworld, Midrand. She chatted about the various types of social grants administered by SASSA, including the lesser-known grants that assist the care-givers of disabled and HIV-infected children.

In April this year, alumni in Cape Town received advice on money matters from Sanlam financial advisor Paul Johnston at a reunion at the Granger Bay Campus.

Alumni events are coordinated by Valerie Deelman of the CPUT Advancement Department. The reunions provide a networking forum, allowing former graduates to meet up with friends from their student years and make the acquaintance of new people who also studied at CPUT. Alumni can use the reunions to catch up with current activities at the institution and introduce family members to CPUT as a potential place to study.

On 26 July 2008 alumni from beyond our borders had a chance to meet other former students at a Namibian reunion, held at the Kalahari Sands Hotel and Casino in Windhoek.

For more information about alumni events, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Ilana Abratt, Marketing and Communication Department

Photograph: Attending the Port Elizabeth reunion were (left to right) Roy Blignaut, Brenda Masiso, Reggie Saptoe and Loretta Erasmus of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Creativity runs in the blood of 3rd year Graphic Design student, Veon Haupt.

His passion for drawing started early in his life and was inspired by his mother, a clothing designer and pattern maker in a factory in Athlone. He said, “She always wanted to paint so she always had paint brushes and colours lying around. Naturally, I would pick them up and start playing with them.”

The impressive calibre of creative work he now produces at age 21 has earned him a unique opportunity at the Advance Design Group (ADG), owned by alumni of the old Peninsula Technikon.

During the second year of Veon’s National Diploma in Graphic Design, he printed his assignments using ADG facilities. It was during this time that his work was ‘discovered’ by ADG Managing Director, Clinton Arendse and his business partner, Jason Desai, both alumni of the institution. Impressed by his work and his commitment, ADG offered to pay for the remainder of his studies with a guaranteed position upon graduation at the end of 2006.

Veon said, “This is a great achievement for me and removes a great weight off my shoulders, especially in terms of finance for my studies.”

The Institution has left an indelible impression on Clinton since he graduated from the Peninsula Technikon in 1984. Since then, he has ploughed a great deal of time and financial resources back into the old Technikon and the newly founded Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He returned in 1994 as a graphic design lecturer and later headed the department as senior lecturer before leaving in 2002. At the time, Jason, who now owns 40% of the company was one of his students. The confidence in the quality of students produced by the institution is indicated by the fact that the majority of his staff compliment are alumni of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

*ADG is a creative agency that specialises in concept creation, development and production. They have made creative contributions to Foschini group, Oceana, Engen, Auction Alliance, Phillip Morris, Golden Arrow, South African Breweries, Juta Gariep, UWC, Stellenbosch University, Medical Research Council and the Food and Allied Workers' Union.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There’s less than a week to go before the exclusive year-end celebration of the Alumni Association is held at a trendy city hotel.

A highlight of the CPUT’s social calendar, the event will see KFM Breakfast Show sports anchor, Jeremy Harris, himself an alumnus of the CPUT, direct the evenings events.

Harris will be presiding over a sumptuous three-course dinner with his inimitable humour and joie de vivre, as musician John Frans and vocalist Natalie Denton entertain the guests. Another highlight of the evening will be a series of raffles in which bumper prizes, including a night at the Double Tree by Hilton Upper Eastside Hotel, original artworks, and dinner for two at the 5-star Table Bay Hotel, will be up for grabs.

Alumni Association Executive Chairperson, Jeff Daniels, will be in attendance, as will regional representatives of alumni chapters established in 6 regions of South and Southern Africa this year. “Amidst the fun and celebration,” says Daniels, “we’re coming together to mark what has been a momentous year in the history of our Alma Mater.

“2013 has seen the establishment of the CPUT’s first-ever official Alumni Association, with chapters in Free State, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Namibia. And after all the painstaking logistics and laying the foundations for the successful operation of the Association and the chapters, we’re now ready to move into gear to fulfill our mandates of giving back to the university using our professional resources, skills and goodwill.”

The evening will also be an opportunity for alumni to bid a fond farewell to outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof Mazwi-Tanga, and meet Vice-Chancellor Designate, Dr Prins Nevhutalu, who takes up his new role in January 2014.

Visit the Events page to RSVP to the event.

Written by Janyce Weintrob

Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It was a night of celebration for CPUT’s alumni – tinged with a note of sadness and respect as Prof Mazwi-Tanga’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the university draws to a close.

Hundreds of graduates, old and new, gathered at a city hotel last week to toast 2013’s heady achievements. These included the establishment of the university’s first Alumni Association in March and the successful launch of 6 alumni chapters in regions of South and Southern Africa.

The evening saw KFM Breakfast Show sports anchor Jeremy Harris, himself an alumnus of the CPUT, regaling the crowds with anecdotes from his student days and raffling off a series of prizes to boost the coffers of the CPUT Bursary Fund. Alumni officers Valerie Deelman, Nandi Madadasana and Francois Jooste were delighted at the attendance and enthusiasm of alumni and promise that this year’s successes are just the beginning of a new era in alumni relations.

They collectively extended heartfelt thanks to those who attended for making the event such a roaring success. “It was an honour to spend time with some of our finest alumni, and deeply gratifying to see the new faces in amongst the old faithful”, they say.

In addition to the fun, R4 500 was raised through the support of the various raffles – a real boost for the Bursary Fund which helps deserving students finance their futures.

Alumni Association chairperson, Jeff Daniels, says many more such events are planned across the country and region in 2014 as part of the drive to give back to the university using the professional resources, networks and goodwill of CPUT’s graduates.

For further information on joining and supporting the Alumni Association or the Bursary Fund, please contact the Alumni Office on 021 460 3389. Photographs of the night’s festivities can be viewed on the CPUT Alumni Facebook page here .

Written by Janyce Weintrob

Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. This may sound like a cliché but David Tshobotlwane can testify to the truth of these words.

David received his Masters degree in Construction Management at the 2006 graduation of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

He is humble about his achievement and is not shy to talk about the sacrifices he had to make to achieve his success.

It all started as a young boy growing up in Zeerust in the North West Province. “I don’t have parents and was raised by my grandmother. We were a family of fourteen. Our neighbour worked in quantity surveying and always told us of his experiences. I decided then that I would become a quantity surveyor,” said David.

Although David had big dreams, there was not even money to send him to school. In 1985 and in standard four, David was forced to leave school.

He went to work on a farm planting cabbages and later asparagus. “I knew I wanted to go back to school.

I remember I had a pair of black shorts. I cut a hole in the top part of my pants and put my money there. I remember sleeping with the pants as I was afraid that someone might steal my money.”

David’s sister left school when she was in standard seven and to him she was a role model. After working for four years he decided that he wanted to go back to school. His grandmother refused and David decided to go back without her permission.

The principal did not want to admit him without his grandmother’s permission but this young man was determined and decided to go sit in class. After a few days he was admitted to school. With the money he saved over the years he could buy his school clothes and pay his school fees.

His matric year was also not easy. There was no money to study. The dream was still there to be a quantity surveyor. “Social workers sponsored me to study teaching at the Lehurutshe College of Education.

After qualifying I got a post as a temporary teacher. I started saving to study quantity surveying. After my contract ended I came to the former Peninsula Technikon to study.”He passed his diploma cum laude.

“It’s all about planning. I spent Monday to Thursday at the library, relaxed on Friday and Saturday and studied on Sunday. I lived on half a loaf of brown bread a day. Although I was hungry I thought of my grandmother and how proud she was of me. That made me forget about the hunger.”

David completed his B.Tech in Construction Management. He received the Dean’s Merit Award as the top student for his diploma and B.Tech.

Dr Theo Haupt motivated him to do his masters degree. “I started in June 2004 with my masters degree and finished in December 2005. I had a job but came to campus every day after work. I used to be here till four in the morning. When it became too much I resigned from my job to concentrate on my masters.”

David now works as a technical facilitator for the Department of Public Works and has started to read for his doctorate. “Education is the key to success and I want to be a role model for the children of my community.”

He and four friends formed the Thuto Keboswa (Education is Wealth) Organisation to raise funds for local children to further their studies.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On 11 April 2008 CPUT alumni attended a presentation by fellow alumnus Paul Johnston titled “Introduction to Financial Planning.” Johnston is Financial Advisor at Sanlam.

The presentation took place at Granger Bay Campus and provided practical advice on how to reap the results of good financial management.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Women in all spheres of the CPUT Community were recognised and celebrated during the month of August in a variety of presentations and events.

On 15 August, The Department of Advancement invited female alumni, final year students, international students and Executive Management members to an evening titled 'Unleash the Brand in You' at the Granger Bay Campus. In an event that provided fun and entertainment alongside a more serious focus on the real issues affecting women, various speakers presented on the theme of ‘branding’ in relation to female identity.

Executive Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office Dr Nomathamsanqa Tisani discussed the CPUT logo and the way in which its deconstruction of the shield symbol represents a break from the traditional symbols used by Universities. Journalism student Ruth Chisesa spoke about the xenophobic label kwerekwere and how such terms make women feel. Cariema Samoodien of the Yardsticks marketing company asked the audience to consider the relationship between ‘you as a woman’ and ‘you as a brand.’

“Women have been out of the kitchen since a long time ago,” said Alumni Officer Nandi Madadasana, organiser of the event, “but how do we interact with each other? This is the century for women. It’s now time to showcase what we can do.”

The Department of Student Affairs held various Women’s Month related activities during August, culminating in the Phenomenal Woman day on 23 August. Wearing caps reading “I am phenomenal,” female students from various campuses were treated to a bus tour and a catamaran trip to seal island. The day ended with an awards ceremony for students and staff at GrandWest.

The ceremony featured Generations star Sophie Ndaba as guest speaker. Students were intrigued to learn that the glamorous actress grew up in an orphanage and got pregnant at an early age. She urged students to never give away their own power to a man, to study, to work hard, earn their own money and become self sufficient in every possible way.

“We went home inspired, motivated, empowered and full of phenomenal new ideas as to how to overcome the challenges in their lives. It is events like these that we will treasure in years to come” said Lindelwa Gayiza, student and co-organiser.

Students who attended the Phenomenal Woman day each received a business etiquette booklet compiled Student Affairs. The booklet was published in an effort to develop CPUT students holistically as Women and as potential business women in South Africa and abroad.

South Africa celebrates National Women’s Day every year on 9 August to commemorate the famous 1956 women’s protest against the pass laws. In addition to celebrating the public holiday, many organisations hold events throughout the month to give thanks to female role models and draw attention to women’s issues.

By Ilana Abratt and Anette Grobler

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From Cape Town to Johannesburg, CPUT is set to host alumni networking events across the country during the next few months.

The events are aimed at reconnecting with CPUT alumni, sharing in their successes and making sure they are up to date with developments at their alma mater.

Alumni Officer Val Deelman says it is important for the university to develop lifelong ties with alumni.

“We view alumni as our ambassadors. Their success in the world rubs off onto CPUT and this ensures that the university gets good recognition from companies and the public at large,” she says.

The series of alumni networking events recently kicked off in Gauteng. During the next few months, events will take place in Cape Town, East London, Port Elizabeth and KwaZulu Natal.

CPUT alumni living in Namibia will also get a chance to network, with an event planned for early next year.

For more information on the alumni networking events, see the CPUT website.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We all get the same 24 hour day, how you choose to use it is your prerogative according to two inspirational female pioneers.

Saray Khumalo, the first black African female to summit Mount Everest, and Crystal Orderson, a political commentator and renowned journalist, were the guest speakers at a CPUT Alumni networking event recently.

Khumalo had three unsuccessful attempts at scaling Mount Everest before succeeding on her fourth try. Using the four experiences as metaphors for life she explained how mountaineering has built characteristics like resilience, fortitude and determination in her.

Orderson explained how she arrived at the former Peninsula Technikon to enrol in Journalism, with no train ticket or money to study, but with a steely determination to study and make a success of herself.

Fast forward two decades, and Orderson is a successful freelancer who is in demand for her incisive commentary, especially on West African politics, and has an impressive portfolio of work from the SABC, Radio 702 and TRT World- a Turkish television station, amongst others.

“I arrived here in 1997 and later went on to Masters Studies, in other countries, and working around the world but I can honestly say that it is the foundation that was laid here at CPUT that took me through my career,” he says.

Responding to a question from the largely female audience on how they managed busy careers while parenting their children both Khumalo and Orderson said it was exactly this that made them better mothers.

“Yes climbing Mount Everest is dangerous but I could just as easily pass away driving to work as I would on the mountain. We all get the same 24 hour day and you make a decision on how you want to spend that time. I would say ‘Find the time’ if there is something you aspire to doing,” said Khumalo.

Orderson echoed her sentiment, ‘I love my daughter but ultimately I think she will be better off for seeing me work hard to provide for her. I don’t feel guilty about that’.

Written by Lauren Kansley
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Alumni from across the globe recently tuned in for the Advancement Department’s first Alumni webinar, which placed the spotlight on Staying alive in the current labour market crisis.

Alumni officer Valerie Deelman said the lockdown which followed the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic had affected the lives of most people and forced people to adapt to the “new normal”.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has rocked the foundations of the world – economies are struggling, unemployment figures have escalated as a result of companies closing down, staff are being retrenched, demand for products/services shrunk and the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths continue to rise. So, we decided to engage with our alumni through hosting a webinar on ‘Staying alive in the current labour market crisis’”. 

The Alumni Office invited Dr Liiza Gie, Head of Department: Human Resource Management at CPUT, SA Board for People Practices Master HR Professional in Learning & Development and an alumna, to collaborate in hosting its first alumni webinar.

Along, with Gie, two other alumni, communication professional and entrepreneur Kim Webster and the founder of Red Village, a 3D printing technology company, Luvuyo Ndiki completed the list of guest speakers.

Gie’s presentation centred on Employability in I4.0 (Industry 4.0) while Webster’s talk centred on:  Coping with the new normal/Surviving Covid-19. Ndiki, whose company was recently featured on BBC world news for its innovative biodegradable products made from sugarcane and corn-starch, delivered an inspirational message.

Participants in the event received a virtual welcome from Calvin Maseko, Director: Advancement Department, while Deelman officiated as programme director with the support of colleagues Helena Pietersen and Nadine Waterwitch. 

“Our guest speakers connected well with the audience in the virtual space and their presentations were well received.  Our participants eagerly posed their questions and comments on the chat platform,” Deelman said.

A second webinar is planned for later in the year.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Retired academics were encouraged to take a more active role in the future of CPUT at a recent breakfast hosted in their honour.

The event was attended by former Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Department and academics, and was aimed at recognising their many decades of service to the institution and to leverage their institutional knowledge.

In a written address to the group, Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo stressed the importance of the gathering.
“Whether you are old Cape Technikon, Peninsula Technikon or CPUT, your contribution is valued. You have networks we can leverage and more than that you have time which you can contribute to strengthening the CPUT convocation. Your attendance here is evidence of your fondness for the institution.”

The event was organised by the Director of the Advancement Department, Calvin Maseko and Project Consultant Valda van Heerden.
Van Heerden is part of the Class of the 70s, a group of alumni who arrange networking events in honour of keeping mature graduates connected to CPUT.    

Former Peninsula Technikon Rector Prof Brian Figaji urged the gathering to always take great care with governance issues.
“I have come here today to pledge my support for Prof Nhlapo and the turnaround he wants to make happen. We owe it to the institution and our previous lives, after all, we want to see that previous life bearing fruit,” he said.

Written by Lauren Kansley

Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Mawande Sigwinta, who recently obtained his Master’s Degree: Chemistry Summa Cum Laude at CPUT believes that the practice of African culture is impossible without agriculture as our culture is expressed through food, clothing, dance, painting, and music.

Sigwinta, who runs a garden project at Nomzamo Township, heeded the government’s call to utilise Heritage Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation building, and a shared national identity. The Project Manager at I-Afrikayam Project says his garden venture benefits an “immeasurable” number of people, including the patients of Nomzamo Community Clinic, learners from the local public schools, and students through an internship. On 24 September, I-Afrikayam will host its second annual heritage event to remind “ourselves about our traditions and norms and the important role they play in maintaining social cohesion and humanity, more importantly, emphasise that this is all possible through agriculture”.

The 29-year-old lad from Mthatha, Eastern Cape, started his garden project in 2019 after funding was approved by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in 2018. The project’s name, I-Afrikayam, means ‘my Africa’ and its motto is ‘The land that feeds’. The garden staff members include four women and five males. They grow portions of a variety of vegetables using organic inputs to supply their own restaurant and the local community.

“The idea is to make the garden a tourist destination and specifically serve clients who are highly cautious about their health and food they consume. Of course, this is not a big market, however, this market has buying power,” he remarks.

I-Afrikayam services also include arts and culture, venue for meetings, educational programmes, and conferences. The project provides a platform for upcoming musicians, photographers, poets, and painters to showcase their talent. “There is a vast range of ways in which the community benefits from the garden, not only through harvest but the borehole water which will be of great benefit when drought comes.,” he adds.

During his time at CPUT, Sigwinta was fortunate to be selected by the Department of Applied Science to participate in an international exchange programme at the University of Bergen, Norway. He says the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen many losing their jobs, is an example where agriculture proves reliability for livelihood and self-sustainability through projects such as backyard food gardens. “I have managed to sustain, not only myself but community as well through vegetable soup kitchens. The garden currently employs nine people and we also take Horticulture students for in-service training.”

Last year, I-Afrikayam took five CPUT Horticulture students for in-service training. “Our main objective is to provide fresh organic vegetables to our clients, either raw or as cooked meals with a specific focus on indigenous African food,” Sigwinta says.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Never, ever stop learning!”

These were the words of Casper de Villiers, founder and Operations Director at Clickatell, the world’s most trusted mobile messaging platform.

He was speaking at the Second Ceremony of the faculty of Business held on the Cape Town campus of CPUT this morning.

Hundreds of students received their National Diplomas and BTech degrees in Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Financial Information Systems, Internal Auditing and Office Management and Technology.

Guest speaker De Villiers, an alumnus of CPUT, completed his studies in Retail Business Management in 1994. He’s now responsible for Clickatell’s complete global messaging supply chain and has played a key role in developing the world-class service centre that currently services customers around the globe.

He gave an inspiring speech to the packed auditorium, spelling out several key pointers to success in today’s ever-changing business world. “Don’t let the opinions of others cloud your inner voice, and when you make a mistake, get up, and start over again until you get it right. Don’t live somebody else’s dream and be excellent in your job –if you don’t enjoy your job, you can never excel at it.”

To rousing applause, de Villiers implored his audience to put products and people before profits, to draw on one’s family and friends for support and to give back to the community once success has been achieved.

Graduation ceremonies in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Education and Social Sciences and Information and Design continue this evening on the Bellville campus, while the third and final ceremony of the Business Faculty takes place on Wednesday at the Cape Town campus at 10am.

BY JAN WEINTROB

Picture by CLIVE GALANT

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.