A group of Peninsula Technikon alumni, some of whom graduated in the 1970s, are embracing the institution’s values by giving back to communities.

The Peninsula Technikon Reunion Group is a social group aimed at helping communities by making donations to good causes.

Secretary Gert Wagenaar said the group has a reunion every second year and usually asks members from the area where the reunion is held to nominate a cause to give a donation to, including sporting clubs or schools.

Wagenaar said the members first got together in December 2018 and decided to establish a formal group.

“We wanted to get to know each other again and build old relationships and to see what we can do to uplift the community.”

Several of the members recently came out to support the CPUT rugby team in their Varsity Shield games against the University of the Western Cape and Rhodes University.

The next reunion will take place from 22 to 25 September in Gqeberha.

Calvin Maseko, Director of the Advancement Department, said the university appreciates the contribution the “passionate and close-knit group” is making in improving the lives of others.

“It is very pleasing to see that after all these years these alumni are supporting us and making a difference in communities.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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All hands are on the deck as the CPUT Libraries in partnership with the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) prepare to celebrate the South African Library Week (SALW) with the theme: Libraries Foster Social Cohesion, from 18 to 24 March 2024.

The SALW is an initiative of LIASA. All libraries join LIASA in celebrating the Library Week annually. Tomorrow, LIASA will officially launch the Library Week in the Eastern Cape. The CPUT libraries will also join in the launch with Director, Prof Elisha Chiware, sending out a message of encouragement and setting the tone for the following week.

The Library Week will be celebrated at Bellville Campus Library on 19 March 2024, Conference Room 1 and 2 from 10:30 to 12:30. Library Faculty Manager – Engineering and Built Environment, Regina Sikhosana, says the theme underscores a crucial role library in uniting communities as they serve as a hub where people from diverse backgrounds can come to exchange ideas and learn to engage in cultural and intellectual activities.

“By providing access to information, technologies, resources and programmes, libraries broaden horizons, connect individuals, and offer a sense of shared purpose and identity. They also offer a safe space of marginalised communities to address social and development issues, share experience and thus promote social cohesion,” Sikhosana remarks.

CPUT Libraries support the institutional 2030 Vision, which is to be “an innovative Library and Information services partner enabling the institution to be Africa’s leading Smart University of technology globally”. Sikhosana says the SALW resonates with university values of “seeking kindness” (spirit of Ubuntu), “unity” (Ubunye) whilst embracing “diversity” (Ukungafani).   

She said the main objective of CPUT Libraries is to deliver efficient sustainable services through collaborative, innovative means, excellent facilities, and resources in response to learning, teaching and research, scholarship of the institution and the community it serves. “It also has a social responsibility to breach the digital divide through providing access to information and communication technologies and engaging communities through social media and online platforms.”

As part of CPUT community engagement the library will be collaborating with Drakenstein Public Library and Dal Josafat School Library in the Western Cape in hosting a library awareness campaign for Magnolia Primary School and Balvenie Primary School learners at their Wellington and Bellville branches. Book exhibitions and displays will also be made available across CPUT Libraries branches in support of SALW.

“Please join us in the celebration of SALW to continue to empower individuals and communities by building an interconnected and inclusive society.”

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The Ophthalmic Sciences Department paid it forward on Mandela day with staff and students volunteering their time to conduct free vision screenings for students.

Head of Department, Angelique Walbrugh, said the purpose of the visual screenings was to identify undiagnosed refractive errors in the CPUT student community.

"All 10 departmental staff members and 21 Opticianry students participated as volunteers in the screening and manned stations including reception, visual acuity, autorefraction, health promotion and statistics.

The screenings took place at the Trafalgar Stone Building on the District Six campus and despite the rainy weather, 87 students were screened.

Walbrugh said 47 students were found to have significant refractive error requiring further evaluation.

“These students will be scheduled for a comprehensive optometric examination during our clinic launch in September.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) project team, called the Community Connectors, recently visited the Siyafunda community library, which is based in a garage in Lavender Hill.

The academy affords student groups the opportunity to design their own programme and activities when engaging their targeted community organisation. These projects are aligned to Vision 2030 and the building of partnerships within society.

Apart from the Siyafunda community library, John and Gail Nicholson also started a feeding scheme about 15 years ago to help address the needs of the youth in the community.

The excitement amongst the Community Connectors was evident as they prepared their activities for the engagement with the learners from the community.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units, Centre for Community Engagement and WIL said: “What impressed me was that the students made time to research and rehearse their stories, develop quizzes, and even make their own props for the enactment of their stories. I continue to be inspired by communities who remain hopeful despite their numerous socio-economic challenges.

“Investing in the development of young minds will contribute to the upliftment of our communities and brings hope and support to organisations dedicated to serving others”.

Students interacted with the Lavender Hill learners who frequent the Siyafunda community library. Activities included storytelling, drama and plays outlining the importance of literacy and expanding knowledge through reading. During the session, learners were extremely engaged and displayed an eagerness to learn. “The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit must also commend the continued support from the internal CPUT Library services department for the collection and donation of books to the community library. This is an ongoing collaboration which will expand the footprint of the university”.

David Haarhoff, who is currently assisting the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit, stated: “The concept of bend the tree whilst it is still young, stands out for me. The children within the Lavender Hill community are exposed to various forms of life challenges including poverty, gangsterism, drugs, abuse and so much more. As a University, we have an obligation from a corporate social responsibility point of view, to bring hope to these challenging situations.

“We want to inspire the children to rise above their circumstances and to believe that they can have a successful life. The circumstances that they are currently exposed to do not have to be a norm or be a way of life. Our goal is to go about our work and plant a seed wherever we go. I am very proud of our student group for the excellent execution of this project.”

Community Engagement Academy Alumni and CESA student assistant, Sydney Hlongwane, a fourth-year Advanced Diploma in Project Management student, said: “Saturday’s project was great. We performed fun skits, distributed books and spent time with awesome kids. I was impressed by their curiosity and smart questions. They were so engaged and eager to learn. It made me happy to see them smile and have fun. These kids are so smart and talented. They are going to do great things in the future”.

Scheepers concluded: “The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit will continually strive to make a positive impact in communities through the dedication and passion of CESA leaders and alumni”.

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The Civic Engagement (CE) Unit, Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, in collaboration with the Faculty of Education celebrated Women in Education recently at Fleur Park, Gordon’s Bay.

The event was in commemoration of women’s month, targeting aspiring and novice teachers and encouraging them to continue the excellent work done in their respective fields by contributing to well-rounded learners within the education system. Participants included, faculties of Education, Health and Wellness, Business and Management Sciences students, Service-Learning staff, novice teachers from the Western Cape government, EduFocus Projects NPO member and the Faculty of Education’s Learning and Teaching Coordinator, Dr Dorothy Esau.

“This CE project was aimed at fostering professional development, empowerment and holistic well-being among women in the education sector. Furthermore, the event provided a platform for educators to discuss and address critical issues pertaining to teaching professionalism, gender discrimination, gender-based violence (GBV) awareness and women’s health,” said Esau.

Presentations delivered at the event included Professionalism in Teaching by B.ED. Hons student, Dealshaad Swart, covering critical issues to effective teaching: knowledge of education policies, subject expertise, work ethics, continuous learning, maintaining a positive disposition, time management, classroom management, conflict resolution and effective communication skills.

Anziré Coetzee, fourth-year B Ed SP/FET phase student focused on addressing gender discrimination and promoting awareness of gender-based violence in school settings. Coetzee’s presentation highlighted the importance of creating safe and inclusive learning environments.

Emergency Medical Sciences students, Nompumelelo Ntuli and Zenobia De Bruin focused particularly on prioritising women’s health issues and holistic well-being with the focal point being around the significance of self-care and practical activities to support participants’ physical and emotional well-being.

The weekend was concluded with a surprise high tea and photo shoot at Krystal Beach Hotel, allowing participants to unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The event was sponsored by EduFocus Projects NPO, the brainchild of Esau. Veteran teachers were invited as special guests and Jolene Martin, lead actress from the local telenovela, Arendsvlei, delivered an impactful, profound, and dynamic keynote address, titled: “Find your light”. Attendees walked away empowered and ready to exude #MainCharacterEnergy.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement applauds and supports the expansion of this project to include more novice teachers in the following year and commended David Haarhof from the CE Unit for the excellent project coordination. The programme provided a conducive environment for collaborative learning, sharing experiences, and to building a supportive community among women educators. The valuable insights gained during the retreat are expected to have a positive impact on participants' professional growth and the educational landscape.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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As part of community outreach for Maths and Physics, the Chemistry Department recently hosted Oscar Mpetha High School with the aim of exposing the learners to University facilities while also encouraging them to pursue STEM professions such as the Analytical Chemistry course provided by the Department.

The event was organised by the department’s Dr Ncediwe Ndube-Tsolekile and Madillo Mareka from Duram Paint and was also sponsored by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. To make it a memorable experience for them and show that the learners are valued by the department, the learners also got the opportunity to interact with National Research Foundation -rated researcher, Prof Mangaka Matoetoe, and were offered course selection advice, allowing them to ask whatever questions they had about university applications, career choices and even research within the department. Matoetoe also shared her stories about her childhood and financial constraints on her academic journey.

Three postgraduate students, Anathi Vitshima, Noluvuyo Mngcutsha and Teboho Mosohli advised the learners on main things to do when they begin their varsity life, such as “knowing yourself and balancing your academic and social lives”.

“If you don’t know yourself you will be easily influenced by outside factors…Love what you do, this will minimise distractions,” said Anathi. Noluvuyo talked about development of communication skills and the importance of involvement in extra-mural activities and the available assistance for students at CPUT. Teboho added the importance of financial planning “which can help you to sustain yourself”.

The learners acknowledged the importance and value of the opportunity provided by CPUT especially for learners coming from the townships. “It was the first of its sort for Oscar Mpetha High School, which generated a lot of excitement for us, the school, and the Nyanga community,” Ndube-Tsolekile observed.

As someone who grew up in the township herself, Ndube-Tsolekile told the learners: “Our background does not dictate our future, and we should never let it define our destiny. We can all realise our dreams with hard work, commitment, and perseverance.”

She also provided an overview of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Chemistry Department, including career guidance. The event was a great success. The learners were given a platform to present their expectations for the event which were pre-written by Simnikiwe Ntamehlo, Sinovuyo Matayi and Lindile Silahla. Those expectations were fulfilled during the first session. “The laboratory visit, which featured demonstrations on nanomaterial synthesis and observing their luminous nature, stood out for them. It was watching their excitement when they made their own ice cream in the laboratory that made us happy. Those smiles were just priceless,” Ndube-Tsolekile enthused.

Teacher at Oscar Mpetha High School, Vusiwe Tsetsana acknowledged that they received insightful information from the event as envisaged before coming to CPUT. “We are very honoured and [we are grateful to CPUT.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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The Service-Learning (SL) and Civic Engagement (CE) Units, Centre for Community Engagement and WIL participated in the SAB Ottery Wellness Day recently.

The Young Transformers and Question Marks Student Leadership Academy groups engaged with SAB Ottery staff members on various issues, including providing guidance in terms of careers and study skills. This project forms part of their outreach activities aligned to the Academy deliverables.

“Building effective partnerships is crucial for our University’s growth and broadens our social responsibility footprint aligned to our vision 2030 strategy. Wellness of the body, mind and soul should receive a new appreciation and understanding” said project lead, David Haarhoff.

Jacqueline Scheepers, Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Unit, added that engagement with society is aligned to CPUT’s Vision 2030 and the enhancing of the University’s quintuple partnerships. "The projects provide authentic and experiential learning experiences for students in interdisciplinary contexts,” said Scheepers.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Parents and learners braved the cold rain to witness the launch of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone STEAM Programme at Saxonsea Secondary School recently.

CPUT is an implementing partner of the programme with ASEZCo. The project is targeting 40 Atlantis youth with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) extra curriculum education. The learning interventions will include but is not limited to Entry Level Electronics; Introduction to Programming; Physical Computing; Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Grade 8 learners. This programme will provide hands-on learning opportunities that promote creativity, motivate discovery, and increase knowledge retention.

CPUT will conduct 26 Saturday STEAM sessions in one of the five schools in Atlantis in which there is an appalling lack of science labs and equipment in local schools. The University will host the learners at the science labs to expose them to well-equipped labs for further hands-on learning and for the learners to use the technology to develop their projects. Towards the end of the project, CPUT will host a STEAM competition where the participating schools will solve a specific challenge through STEAM. The winning model, prototype or concept will be given a prize.

Addressing the local learners, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor, said: “My message is very simple this afternoon; is that the dreams that you have can come true. One is never a victim of one’s circumstance and it doesn’t matter where you are coming from but where you are going.” Hay-Swemmer, who signed a memorandum of understanding, emphasised that the learners can be big achievers in STEM related subjects.

Advancement Department Director, Mandla Maseko said: “We are committed to the partnership. ASEZ has STEAM and we have STEM. Their SEZ focuses on green tech, and we have SARETEC. We should have created this partnership long time ago.”

Maseko said the STEAM project has opened possibilities for CPUT and ASEZ to partner on renewable energy and when they visited five schools on 1 August, they saw that most of the schools did not have science labs or if the labs were there, they were not well equipped. He said this discourages learners and the educators from paying attention to Maths and Science. Maseko promised that CPUT will open its labs to the learners to conduct experiences and projects, as a way of augmenting the learning.

“We want to catch the learners as early as Grade 8 to ensure that continue doing STEAM subjects up until Matric. In this way we will be developing our own pipeline of students who will be studying science qualifications at the University and the SEZ will be preparing the youth of the area to take up job opportunities availed by companies in the SEZ.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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The Department of Biomedical Sciences recently joined hands with The SA Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) for an awareness campaign ahead of World Marrow Donor Day.

World Marrow Donor Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of September and the aim is to thank donors worldwide while the secondary objective is to raise awareness about being a stem cell donor.

Nadia Chalkley, Head of Donor Recruitment at the SABMR, said it had a longstanding relationship with the CPUT Biomedical Sciences Department which helped the organisation to create awareness around stem cell donor recruitment on campus.

Rizqa Siebritz, Lecturer in the Biomedical Sciences Department, said students have to complete an assignment in collaboration with the SABMR for the subject Haematology II.

“This assignment is designed to create awareness of the SABMR and its bone marrow donation process within the students of CPUT. After having two on-campus presentations with the SABMR team, the students use the assignment to learn about the process of bone marrow donation and spread awareness via face-to-face and online platforms, said Siebritz.

“A select few students also choose to volunteer as part of the SABMR 50 squad volunteer initiative and assist in creating the bone marrow drive we had on campus this year.”

This year’s student volunteers are Mlinideli Ndlovu, Khanyisile Gumede, Londotani Ramudzuli, Mpho Judith Galane and Akhona Ndzimbovu.

Siebritz said: “This service-learning initiative creates enhanced opportunities for learning, and personal and social skill development amongst my students. The students also gain increased knowledge of academic materials, their communities, and themselves during the completion of this assignment and we hope to continue this service-learning project in order to enable the SABMR to spread awareness in a positive way through CPUT for years to come.”

Other participants this year included, CHOC, Vita Nova, Organ Foundation, Western Cape Blood Service and Save 7 and a number of CPUT participants including Service Learning and Civic Engagement and Student Counselling.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units (SLCE), Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning embarked on a food garden project at Excelsior High School in Belhar.

The initiative was driven by the Green Legacy student team, the Civic Engagement Student Leadership Academy. In the Student Leadership Academy, student teams are required to align their individual projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This project is aligned with the second goal, creating a world free of hunger by 2030.

Excelsior High School in conjunction with the Western Cape Education Department feeding scheme makes provision for approximately 300 learners to have a meal daily. “Each student and staff member at CPUT represents a community. As a university who strives toward accountability in terms of social responsibility, we must embrace our neighbouring schools and communities. Embarking on projects of such nature reduces food insecurity and instils a sense of responsibility in learners at a very young age to adjust their thinking in terms of food security,” said David Haarhoff, Project Lead.

Luthando Ndayi, group leader of Green Legacy, placed emphasis on the importance of food garden projects and the positive impact it has on society in general. Learners committed to their involvement by signing a pledge indicative of their commitment to the project and the broader goal of creating a world free of hunger. The programme started off with formalities, followed by a quiz and then the planting of crops. Horticulture students (Advanced Diploma as well as postgraduate students) partnered with the SLCE units by offering expert advice and guidance to both learners and students.

“We are also extremely grateful for Shadowlands Nursery’s contributions toward crops planted at the school. Each little contribution adds to the success of the bigger picture,” said Haarhoff.

Feedback from learners was they had fun activity and would love to do it again and learning about the environment was the best thing ever. They were grateful to CPUT before urging the team to come back and teach them more about gardening so that they can tell others at home how brilliant gardening was.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager SLCE, indicated that projects like these provide opportunities for students to engage and contribute to society in an interdisciplinary and intercultural environment, which is in line with CPUT’s Vision 2030. “This project is important for our institution as it encourages learners to see learning as fun and positive. Engaging with our students in Civic Engagement projects allows for learners to consider and to view post-school studies, hopefully at CPUT, as a future option.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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A transformative Ubuntu Leaders Academy (ULA) training event, conducted in collaboration with CPUT, recently concluded at the Cape Town Hotel School.

The event brought together 10 leaders comprised of CPUT staff, Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) leaders and community leaders, who were trained as trainers, to impart their newfound knowledge and skills.

The ripple effects of this training are set to extend beyond the campus, with plans to roll out similar programmes, fostering a culture of servant leadership throughout its sphere of influence.

As a unique part of their training, the trainers-in-training also mentored 20 student leaders and leadership fellows associated with the CESA at CPUT. This training was in the form of Ubuntu Week, which was hosted in Worcester. This created a dynamic environment where both seasoned and aspiring leaders could learn and grow together. The motivational speakers at the event were Pastor Clinton Luikes and Nontutuzelo Dyakala from the A2B Centre, and Guinness World Record holder and ten-times medallist for skateboarding, Jean-Marc Johannes.

Jacqui Scheepers, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Manager, shared her thoughts on the training: The impact of the Ubuntu programme on the participants was evident in the sessions, which were interactive and included moments of deep reflection, sharing and compassion for each other’s life journeys. Sessions on bridge building were especially relevant for the work of the staff and students as part of the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units. Thank you IPAV and MIET Africa for supporting the very first ULA in Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa”.

Moses Machipisa, an Ubuntu Master Trainer who led the training, expressed his enthusiasm: "Witnessing the passion and dedication of these future leaders has been truly inspiring. It fills me with hope to know they will carry the Ubuntu philosophy forward, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities and beyond."

The CESA student leaders and academy alumni shared their experiences of ULA: Atlegang Lekabe reflected: “I have learned so many things that I did not know about myself. The importance of self-knowledge, being a servant leader, and ethics of care stood out for me. I will be able to carry that out to society and be able to make an impact, not only to my immediate communities, but to the rest of the people around the country and the world and I hope we are able to grow and make an impact through small steps.”

Another student, Lutendzo Moavi, expressed that: “I gained a lot of knowledge that I will use in the future, which helps me enhance a lot of lives. Attending the programme has been one of the best things that has happened in my life. I have gained more knowledge and learned a lot about myself and what I can change in the world in the spirit of Ubuntu. From today on I will advocate for Ubuntu and wish for everyone to be part of the programme.” Stephanie de Koker, a student assistant in the SLCE Units who participated in Ubuntu Week, said: “What stood out for me was being able to serve others in servant leadership, ethics of care. The progamme gave me more perspective as to how to do this, not just to think about myself or my circumstances but what others go through and how to share the knowledge to make their life a bit better, sharing love and care through ubuntu.”

The Ubuntu Leaders Academy, grounded in the Ubuntu philosophy, cultivates servant leaders. Its curriculum focuses on five key areas: self-knowledge, self-confidence, resilience, empathy, and service. The programme's impact is far-reaching, having involved young leaders from an impressive 183 countries worldwide.

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The 2024 Career Fair, which was recently held at the Bellville Campus, provided students with a valuable opportunity to network and engage with a diverse range of potential employers.

Hosted by the Centre for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning, the event attracted 30 exhibitors from various sectors including health and finance.

The centre’s Director, Prof Lalini Reddy, said the objective was to expose students, especially second and third years, to potential employers and to prepare them for the future by familiarising them with current workplace expectations. The fair allowed students to ask relevant questions and gain insights directly from industry professionals.

Reddy said each exhibitor represented various potential opportunities for students from different fields of study, as one company may, for example, have IT, marketing, finance, human resources and other employees.

Students from various campuses attended the event, seizing the chance to gain valuable insights into the job market and better prepare for their future careers.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Cooperative Education Unit, Centre for Community Engagement recently hosted a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Indaba at the Cape Town Hotel School.

Prof Lalini Reddy, Director for Community Engagement and WIL, welcomed the CPUT industry partners and articulated the urgency for continued partnership in relation to work-integrated learning. Reddy re-iterated the impact of work-integrated learning and the benefits thereof for students and their development.

The target audience for this event were industry partners who play an integral role in hosting the students for their WIL component requirement. The partners who attended this event are well represented across all six faculties. David Haarhoff, project lead, indicated that: “Initiatives of this nature are imperative for connectiveness between organisations and our University. Organisations invest a substantial amount of money and time in the development of our students and that is commendable.” The attendees showed tremendous interest and were very engaging.

The purpose of the engagement was to embark on meaningful engagement in terms of challenges, highlights and how to strengthen partnerships between key stakeholders for the greater good of work-integrated learning.

Haarhoff said the industry partners expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to engage in such a manner, saying everything was well organised. He added that the meeting with different industry partners and WIL Coordinators worked well for this event.

“The Centre envisages to embark on many more such initiatives for the greater good of students.”

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The Advancement Department recently announced that it had raised R132 million in bursaries, work-integrated learning, internships and community engagement in 2023.

More than 2 900 financially needy students benefited from this amount. The funding was received from various government and private donors.

Calvin Maseko, Director of the department, said: “We are grateful to our donors who heeded our request for funding and helped realise the dreams of our underprivileged students. Thousands of CPUT students are struggling with paying their study fees. The extra working hours that the department’s staff put in has paid off. We also appreciate staff members from other departments who enabled this success. They did us proud”.

Some of the funding raised directly benefited over 400 high school learners. These learners are from the feeder schools of CPUT. The institution implements maths, science, and digital literacy support at high schools as part of community engagement.

“I thank all the companies who partnered with us and ensured that we enable our financially disadvantaged students. I invite all our partners to renew their commitment to CPUT in 2024 and enable us to assist more needy students. I urge our students to quickly respond to our communication on bursary opportunities”, said Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

Written by CPUT News

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In an exciting development for the Greater Paarl Valley community, CPUT and Radio KC recently announced their strategic partnership aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and the development of skills that will positively impact the local region.

The CPUT’s collaboration with a dynamic community radio station, marks a significant step towards bridging the gap between academia and community broadcasting. The partnership encompasses a range of initiatives, including the exchange of knowledge, collaborative branding and marketing efforts, as well as the involvement of postgraduate students in enhancing the radio station's content and skills.

Amongst the key highlights of the partnership are:

• Showcasing sustainable partnerships in line with objective 16 of the UN Sustainable Development Goal - building strong institutions.
• Knowledge-sharing to grow the KC brand.
• Involvement and placement of CPUT Marketing Department students.
• Commissioning of CPUT Marketing Department students to use KC as a case study/ service-learning project.
• Exploring the monetisation of brand KC.
• Regular talks on KC platforms to share knowledge with the recently launched Services Brand Management book by Dr Pieter Steenkamp and Dr Kuhle Zwakala as the foundation.
• Possible collaboration with CPUT Marketing Department’s international partners.
• Unlocking opportunities for the youth.

CPUT and Radio KC will engage in a mutually beneficial knowledge exchange programme, where academic experts from CPUT’s Marketing Department will share their research findings, and industry trends with the Radio KC team. In return, Radio KC will provide valuable insights into community dynamics, preferences, and local issues, enriching the academic experience for CPUT students.

The partnership includes collaborative branding and marketing initiatives that leverage the strengths of both organisations. CPUT and Radio KC will work together to create promotional content and events that showcase the innovative spirit of the university and the vibrant voice of the community radio station. CPUT postgraduate students will actively participate in projects at Radio KC, gaining hands-on experience in radio production and journalism. This practical exposure will not only enhance their academic learning but also contribute to the development of skilled professionals ready to make a positive impact in the media industry.

The partnership aims to amplify the positive impact both organizations can have on the Greater Paarl Valley community. By combining academic expertise with community-driven content, CPUT and Radio KC seek to empower local residents with knowledge and entertainment that reflect the diverse interests and needs of the community.

Steenkamp, Senior Lecturer: Marketing Department, said: “Collaboration and engagement with external stakeholders is a strategic imperative at CPUT, the university is committed to collaboration and knowledge exchange with industry, society and the public sector.” He also said the Institution is from the community, part of the community and uplifts the community. “We believe that this partnership will create a unique synergy between academia and community media, fostering an environment where knowledge is not only shared but also co-created to address the specific needs of the community."

Zwakala, Acting Head of the Marketing Department, concurred, “In line with CPUT’s Vision 2030, the Marketing Department is committed to establishing strategic initiatives and partnerships with communities and corporates for the benefit of students.”

Radio KC Chairperson, Dr Harlan Cloete, said: "This partnership is a testament to our commitment to community development. By joining forces with CPUT, we are confident that we can bring fresh perspectives and relevant content to our listeners while providing valuable opportunities for the next generation of media professionals."

Radio KC serves the Greater Paarl Valley, providing a platform for local voices, the station focuses on community development, entertainment, and information dissemination.

Written by CPUT News

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Director: Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning (WIL), Prof Lalini Reddy, and her team recently hosted an induction workshop for 50 WIL coordinators at Bellville Campus.

Under the theme: Promoting Employability of Graduates, the workshop was held with the aim of discussing the WIL Quality Cycle and to induct current and new WIL coordinators within various faculties. Reddy, who opened the event said: “WIL Co-ordinators were inducted to latest trends and WIL Quality Management Cycle for effective student exposure to industry. It is our quest to prepare our students for the future world of work.”

In the well attended workshop, Andrew Rand, Faculty WIL Coordinator: Applied Sciences, provided a presentation on WIL Data Capture and Management.

The guest speaker, Estian Behrens from Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC), presented on Building University – industry partnerships for work-integrated learning programmes. Meanwhile, Dr Lizel Hudson, WIL Coordinator: Health and Wellness Sciences Faculty, also presented Work Preparedness Programme. Jayde Barends, Senior Marketing Officer: Technology Transfer and Industry Linkages Office, talked about entrepreneurship.

Walter Kohlhofer, Faculty WIL Coordinator: Engineering and the Built Environment closed off the event with closing remarks and thanked the guests who graced the event.

Reflecting on the event, most attendees expressed that the information was very relevant and informative as it provided a bird's eye view of what WIL is all about.

Project Lead, David Haarhoff, said as an inclusive university, the institution strives to equip all staff members with the necessary skills required to execute their respective tasks. Haarhoff said this particular WIL Coordinators Induction Workshop was no different. “Work integrated Learning plays a pivotal role in respect of student skills development within industry and our WIL Coordinators play a critical role at faculty level to ensure that they meet the deliverables in this regard. The event was well supported by faculties and participants engaged well in the workshop success.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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The Department of Architectural Technology and Interior Design has made a significant contribution to flood relief efforts in the city by preparing and donating food parcels. The recent severe storms in the Western Cape left hundreds of Capetonians displaced and caused extensive damage to homes.

In response, the department's generous donation was delivered to the Roeland Street Fire Station, a key drop-off point for aid.

Rayner Moodley, Head of the Department, noted that the initiative was spearheaded by academic staff member Tasleema Mohamed. Moodley emphasised the importance of community engagement and the role of academic institutions in mobilising support for those in need.

The station commander expressed deep gratitude for the department’s contribution. Moodley added: "This effort underscores the value of giving back to the community and demonstrates how involving students and academic staff in charitable activities can significantly impact those less fortunate."

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Many of CPUT’s top students come from important feeder schools, especially in the Western and Eastern Cape, that produce quality students who easily adjust to the academic demands at the Institution.

As such, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor recently hosted a breakfast engagement with high school principals and community leaders from the feeder schools. The event was held at the Bellville Campus. This annual event is one of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo’s initiatives aimed at strengthening relationships with “our stakeholders” and facilitating dialogues to identify areas of support and collaboration.

It was attended by the Western Cape Education Department Council, high school principals and community leaders. The event was a resounding success that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, and the discussions were lively, coupled with meaningful connections for mutual benefit.

In her opening address, Prof Henriette Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am so excited to see that community, university, the Western Cape Education Department chair and deputy chair are here because we also want to share with our story and our passion, particularly in making a difference in our surrounding schools. And more importantly, specifically, in terms of STEM [ Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics]. We are all very concerned…The fact that our children do not want to take maths and we must turn this around. It’s very often, a small group of people that come together like us that can say enough is enough. We must turn the point.”

In his keynote address, Nhlapo said there was a looming teacher crisis especially with regard to teachers in Maths and Science. “We want to produce engineers…So the dream is to make sure that we can actually have the STEM institute and help all the students at this region of the country. We have had a number of interventions across the Peninsula and outside the province.”

The guests were also taken on a tour of the Clothing and Textile Technology labs and Food Technology Station.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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 Taking care of the environment is one of the crucial aspects of life. As such, the Department of Horticultural Sciences recently hosted a workshop at the department’s nursery at the Bellville Campus aimed at teaching community members about sustainable gardening, improving their gardening skills, and beautifying their area.

The two programmes, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture from the Department of Horticultural Sciences, have done a vegetable garden and landscape design for the Good Hope College (Kuils River) in 2022. Yonela Matanzima, Lecturer: Horticultural Sciences, said: “We realised that we cannot always do things for people as we will not always be there. That is how the idea of the workshop came about. We saw that there were skills and knowledge that we could share with the community.”

Matanzima stated that the workshop's purpose was to improve the community members' horticultural skills and landscape maintenance and to learn more about organic feeding, the benefits of feeding crops organically, and pest control using organic methods. The learners from Good Hope College were brought in to learn how to grow their own food and to take care of the plants.

The topics discussed during this fruitful session were organic feeding and pest control, turf grass maintenance, and the importance of pruning and pruning techniques. Landscape Architecture third-year student Siphumelele Chuma delivered a presentation on turf grass maintenance. Matanzima lauded Siphumelele, who was very confident and knew a lot about the subject. “This shows that the lecturers are doing a great job.” He was able to answer questions from the audience without the assistance of a lecturer. The guest lecturer, Alex Duff from Spectrum Marketing, shared his industry knowledge with the students and the community.

“I am proud of a job well done as this shows that we can be agents to our local communities. As a Workplace-Based Learning programme Coordinator and [being] partially involved in Service-Learning/Community Engagement, I see the change we make around our communities. The students were very happy as they were exposed to different approaches of learning. They were given a chance to apply what they were taught in class and share it with the community.”

After the workshop, the community had an opportunity to tour the departments’ facilities.

This was a follow-up workshop following the departments' initiative in the community vegetable gardens with Dr Mandilakhe Naku, Service-Learning Coordinator, and the second-year Horticulture class and workplace-based learning third-year Landscape Architecture students. “We saw that there’s a need for sharing knowledge so that they can look after the plants that we were planting there,” Matanzima noted.

The members of the community who are also employees of Good Hope College enjoyed every moment as they were learning more about their plants and how to look after them. This Christian school focuses more on instilling Christian values in learners. “Taking care of the environment is one of their important elements. This gave them a chance to learn more. Being able to ask and hear directly on how to resolve some issues was quite beneficial,” Matanzima observed.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness in including us in your field of expertise," said one of the community members, John Eager, who is also a teacher.

Matanzima added: In the future, I think instead of going out to communities and doing the projects for them, we better bring them in and teach them how it is done. When we leave after we finish the projects, we leave them without knowledge of how to maintain the plants.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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