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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Written by Kwanele Butana

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Heritage Day has grown to embrace diverse concepts for various people, but these notions share a few similarities. As such, the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) celebrated the day by “showcasing Indigenous Knowledge and its integration to Academic Pursuits of the FAS” at Bellville Campus.

Numerous presentations on different topics from different fields were provided, Prof Jessy Van Wyk and Melissa Rossouw made a presentation on the Indigenous Knowledge Documentation Centre. Dr Vusi Mshayisa and Tina Bebe from the Food Science and Technology Department talked about how edible insects, such as Mopani worms, madzhulu, and thongolifa, are not only a traditional delicacy in parts of South Africa but also a powerhouse of nutrition.

Rich in protein, essential minerals, and amino acids, they stated that these insects offer a sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources. In addition to new novel insects such as mealworms, crickets, and black soldier fly, they said the Department of Food Science and Technology focuses on exploring the nutritional, structural, sensorial, and techno-functional properties of these insects, highlighting their potential to contribute significantly to food security.

Dr Kanyisa Maqashu from the Chemistry Department made her presentation on the extinction of plant species, including fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, which endangers global health and sustainability. “Human activities have reduced seed diversity, increasing reliance on hybrid crops and limiting access to natural remedies and nutritious food. To combat this, we must blend indigenous knowledge with modern science through collaborative efforts to preserve indigenous plant species, integrate traditional ecological wisdom with sustainability practices, and develop holistic healthcare approaches,” Maqashu stated in her presentation.

Sibusiso Xego from the Horticultural Sciences Department talked about enhancing sustainable cultivation and use of medicinal plants through collaborative partnerships with Western Cape traditional healers and small-scale farmers. Athembile Centane and Nkcubeko Masents from Biotechnology and Consumer Sciences provided information on the scientific validation of anecdotal claims in Indigenous health remedies.

William Manamela from the Mathematics and Physics Department made a presentation on Indigenous knowledge in Mathematics. The Conservation and Marine Science Department also made a presentation on Guardians of the Ocean: A Tale of Tradition and Science.

Language Coordinator: Faculty of Applied Science, Dr Ignatius Khan Ticha, facilitated a panel discussion on Perspectives on the integration of Indigenous knowledge in the curriculum and language practices at CPUT.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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