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
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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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“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

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Lance Witten a CPUT alumnus who is making his mark in the media industry returned to CPUT to encourage graduates to “build their brands”.

Witten, a sports anchor for eNews, told graduates that companies spend years building reputations and brands, which are their most valuable assets.

Referring to pop stars and celebrities, Witten says people too can be brands.

“As a graduate, each of you are your own brand.”

Witten encouraged graduates to go out into the working world and set out what they would like to stand for. He urged the class of 2011 to embrace qualities such as loyalty, integrity and to work hard in whatever industry they may find themselves in.

Whether graduates were making films, taking photographs or putting together garments, Witten says the quality of the product, will reflect your brand.

“At the end of the day it is your name that is attached to your brand.”

Witten says it will not always be easy build and grow your brand, but that graduates will reap the rewards.

“Go out there and establish your brand.”

CPUT Vice Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga also encouraged graduates to play a meaningful role in the South African economy.

The fourth Business Faculty graduation ceremony continues in Cape Town today.

Tonight, the Faculty of Health and Wellness will confer diplomas and degrees on graduates at the Bellville Campus.

By Candes Keating

Picture by CLIVE GALANT

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Mieshka Dollie’s life flashed before her eyes when she slipped while on a hike on Lion’s Head at the end of January and fell 13 metres. 

She woke up on a path with a head injury, unable to move and with the taste of blood in her mouth.

“It was then when all this pain started coming through my body, my whole body was in an excruciating amount of pain,” said the student whose story made headlines across the province.  She was airlifted to an ambulance and then to the hospital where she was operated on immediately.

Just a few months after the life-changing fall, she graduated yesterday during the university’s first-ever digital graduation ceremony.

Mieshka was awarded a Diploma in Information Communication Technology: Applications Development and is currently completing her BTech but has already set her sights on earning her doctorate.

“My future plans right now, even with the pandemic, is to receive my Doctorate in Information Technology and work part-time. I’m not done achieving. I am always hungry to learn and experience new things. My dream is to have my own business and give back to the community.”

While she has been left with some scars, she has recovered well from her injuries and says the experience has taught her not to postpone things.

“Understanding urgency is a game-changer. Don’t postpone anything that is important to you. Express your love for things, for people with greater frequency and maximise every opportunity to appreciate those around you.”

Mieshka, who grew up in Crawford, Cape Town said she was grateful for the bursary she received from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, administered by StudyTrust, which took the pressure off her and her parents.

“My dad was diagnosed with an eye disease called Retinitis pigmentosa and the disease is incurable. That meant my dad would eventually lose all sight and that would leave my mother to be the breadwinner of the family. And what a woman she is – she never lets anything get her down and she always made a way for me and my siblings to have everything in life.”

She thanked the IT Department’s Daphne O’ Brien, who she called "a guardian angel".

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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BSc Diagnostic Radiography graduate Heinri van Zyl has been awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s medal after passing his degree summa cum laude with a 91 percent average.

Van Zyl, who hails from the Boland town of Worcester, is a community service radiographer at Tygerberg Academic Hospital.

His personal motto is: ‘Life isn’t always easy, but it’s always beautiful’

“It is a great honour to have been selected for the Vice-Chancellor's medal. I am thankful to all my lecturers and classmates who partook in my journey towards my degree, and to CPUT for providing us with the opportunity to be rewarded for our hard work. This award is dedicated to all our sleepless nights, study sessions and class projects and to our parents, guardians and sponsors who supported us in our studies,” he said.

Van Zyl matriculated from Worcester Gymnasium High School in 2003. He qualified as a pilot in 2009 and obtained his South African Civil Aviation Authority Commercial Pilot’s licence, which he passed with distinction. He has worked as a flight instructor for Worcester Flying Club and was a navigation expert volunteer with Search and Rescue, where he helped with numerous rescues and body recoveries.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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In October last year CPUT launched its first ever direct appeal to all Alumni in support of the bursary fund and library development at the University. The appeal went to some 49 000 alumni throughout the world and was generously supported.

To date, over R28 157 has been raised for this fund. Ms Gillian Mitchell, the Director of Advancement, voiced her sincere appreciation to all CPUT Alumni: “We are so very encouraged by the response that we received. Our alumni responded with generosity and integrity. I join the Vice-chancellor in thanking all of our alumni for participating in this appeal.”

Ms Mitchell explained that the CPUT Annual Fund has been established as an annual fund that will continue to raise awareness of key needs at CPUT. As with all teaching institutions in South Africa, only a portion of CPUT’s operating budget is covered by the government grant and student fees. Further funding is raised from research grants and donor funding to support the key teaching and learning programmes.

“The support of our Alumni is critical for two important reasons. Firstly, the participation of our alumni in supporting our university is an invaluable acknowledgment of our success as a teaching institution. The more visible this support becomes, the more we are able to ensure that we attract entering students with potential to graduate with top honours. Secondly, the support of our alumni means that we are able to form a dependable base of financial support for students.”

Bursaries continue to be the only way in which many students are able to attend university and one of the greatest gifts that alumni can bestow is that of access to education for forthcoming generations.

Ms Mitchell went on to say that the most vital outcome of the CPUT Annual Fund is that alumni participate. “The amount of the gift is not the most important aspect. Helping us form a strong, reliable community of people willing to band together in support of our University is a much more important accomplishment.”

In this respect Ms Mitchell particularly thanked the Vice-chancellor, Professor Mazwi-Tanga; the Chair of the CPUT Council, Reverend Lionel Louw and Mr Robin Dixie, a trustee of the CPUT Foundation for their generous gifts to the fund. “I have no doubt that their generous participation will encourage many others to consider support of the CPUT Annual Fund.”

By the Department of Advancement

Written by CPUT News

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Gauteng alumni spent an informative evening at Vodaworld in Midrand, where they attended a presentation by Bridget Maclou, Director of Policy Costing at the South African Social Services Agency (SASSA).

SASSA administers all of South Africa’s social grants, including child support grants, disability grants and foster care grants. Maclou discussed some of the lesser-known grants including the care dependency grant, which is available for people who look after a disabled child or foster an orphan with AIDS.

Leonore Beukes was the second speaker for the evening. She followed up on a previous presentation on transfrontier conservation areas and discussed a proposal for a group of CPUT alumni to visit a cultural village on the Swaziland border.

The Gauteng alumni will be contacted in the upcoming month with further information regarding the proposed trip.

Written by CPUT News
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Alumni, staff, friends and supporters of CPUT have joined forces to mark the close of 2014, raising thousands for the university’s Bursary Fund in a festive get-together at a city hotel.

The editor of the Cape Argus, alumnus Jermaine Craig, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and set the tone with his entertaining directing of the night’s events, while Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, gave a punchy presentation on CPUT’s recent achievements. These include launching the first cube-satellite in Africa, hosting the only South African Renewable Energy Training Centre, and the only Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre in Africa, amongst other accomplishments.

Amidst the wining, dining and reconnecting with old friends, a series of raffles were held with all proceeds going to the Bursary Fund. Prizes included stunning jewellery worth thousands donated by alumni Jeanine Benjamin of Jinn and Marizanne Kellerman of Zanry Jewellery Design and Manufacturing. Other prizes included a Cadac Safari Chef Gas Cooker, donated by Alumni Association chairperson, Jeff Daniels, while both the Best Western Cape Suites Hotel and the DoubleTree by Hilton Upper Eastside Hotel donated a complimentary stay for two for two nights.

Alumni Association Chair Jeff Daniels (left) donates a Cadac Safari Chef to raffle winner Jean Jackson (right)

A special raffle for regular supporters of the Bursary Fund was also held, with Nomhle Klaas from Bloemfontein winning a superfast Proline Tablet worth R3 000. Although not present at the event, Nomhle is delighted at the news.

Nomhle Klaas, winner of a Proline Tablet for her support of CPUT’s Bursary Fund

“I decided to be a regular donor as I myself was the recipient of a bursary. Had it not been for this, I would not be where I am today. Having never won anything in my life, I’m overwhelmed – thank you very much!”

Alumni Officers Val Deelman and Francois Jooste have extended grateful thanks to all who made the event such a success.

“It was an honour to spend time with some of our finest alumni, and to raise a total of R6 400 through the raffles. We hope 2015 sees many more of our alumni join us to give back using their professional resources, networks and goodwill.”

Sandi Goodwin from PPS (left) and Nancy Daniels (right) who won the set of earrings and matching pendant valued at R1 500 from Zanry Jewellers

For more information on becoming an active alumnus, please contact the Alumni Office on 021 460 3389. More photographs of the celebration can be found on CPUT’s Alumni Facebook page.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
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