In a concerted effort to ensure that no student’s academic journey is hindered by socio-economic barriers, Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo recently handed over female student dignity packs to the Division of Student Affairs. The initiative falls under the Vice-Chancellor’s flagship projects, which include the Female Student Dignity Project and the Student Hunger Relief Initiative.

Administered and managed by the Division of Student Affairs, these programmes serve as a vital safety net for female students at CPUT, directly advancing SDG 1: No Poverty by mitigating the daily financial burdens faced by the most vulnerable students.

The Female Student Dignity Project has been a cornerstone of the Vice-Chancellor’s office for several years. This initiative was established to ensure that no female student’s education is compromised by a lack of basic hygiene products. By distributing dignity packs to all female residents, the university actively champions SDG 5: Gender Equality, ensuring that biological cycles never become a barrier to academic attendance or performance.

By removing the distraction of hunger and the stress of period poverty, these programmes collectively uphold SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring that students are physically and mentally equipped to succeed in their studies.

These life-changing interventions are made possible through the generosity of external partners, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The Vice-Chancellor expressed profound gratitude to the Chairperson of the Mauerberger Foundation Fund, Advocate Dianna Yach, noting that without its significant donations, projects of this magnitude would not be possible.

Written by CPUT News
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The 2026 Division of Student Affairs annual Stakeholder Engagement aimed to build new partnerships and strengthen existing collaborations.

The event was recently held at the Cape Town Hotel School and was attended by stakeholders from various fields, including higher education, health, government, student leaders and the NGO sector.

Another objective of the event was to thank stakeholders for their ongoing support and to reflect on last year’s engagements.

Dr Melanie Swanson, Head of the Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit, highlighted the importance of all partners working together as one to help students thrive.

“We are all one and we are all in it together. Life is tough and I always say that it's a jungle out there. But although it's a jungle out there, it is a space that we can thrive in as institutions and all of us can pull together and work through this jungle together.”

Nonkosi Tyolwana, Dean of Student Affairs, welcomed the attendees and said the support they offered CPUT students was deeply valued.

The speakers at the event included HERS-SA Chairperson, Dr Soraya Beukes and Prof Rashid Ahmed, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit at the University of the Western Cape.

The event provided an opportunity for the various stakeholders to introduce themselves and engage and strengthen partnerships.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The CPUT community has shown its compassion and commitment to supporting students in need by donating generously to the Division of Student Affairs’ Food and Sanitary Drive.

Head of Department for Student Counselling, Leanie Brits, said staff, students and other institutional stakeholders donated non-perishable and sanitary items which were collected throughout July.

“The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) would like to thank the CPUT community for their caring spirit, and their willingness to make a difference. Each and every item donated will benefit a student in need.

“A special thank you to Libraries for their willingness to receive donations throughout July, DSA student peer leaders and DSA staff for their enthusiasm and support in mobilising all their networks, the Marketing and Communication Department (MCD) for the initiative to collect donations as part of the Shero Fun Run, and last but not least the staff and students from Consumer Sciences.”

She said the Biotechnology and Consumer Sciences Department collaborated with DSA to host a soup drive on District Six Campus on 18 July.

“This initiative was driven by the commitment from the Consumer Science students.”

Excluding the donations from the Fun Run, Student Affairs and CPUT volunteers packed 141 food packs and could include sanitary items in all packs.

“We have received over 400 sanitary pads collectively, of which MCD and the General Education & Training Department from Mowbray campus made bulk donations.”

Brits said the drive was continuing and invited staff and students to continue donating.

“People can still donate as student hunger remain a challenge for many unfunded students. All donations can be dropped off at Department Student Counselling, or any Student Affairs office on their respective campus. As the Dean of Students, Mrs Nonkosi Tyolwana noted during the welcoming at the Mandela Day, the Food and Sanitary Dignity drive should be a 365-day initiative, and we will brainstorm how we can continue the momentum of this collective drive.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Nonkosi Tyolwana, the Dean of Student Affairs, has been elected to a pivotal leadership role within the South African Association for Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP), demonstrating CPUT’s commitment to excellence in student advocacy and impacting the broader educational community.

This election, which took place during a recent Annual General Meeting at the University of the Free State, heralds an exciting new chapter for the association. Tyolwana's leadership team is set to usher in an era of increased relevance and impact, promising to elevate the standards and practices within the field of student affairs across South Africa. The newly elected leadership will be led by Jerome September, Dean of Student Affairs at the University of the Witwatersrand, read the association’s statement.

In reflecting on her election, Tyolwana said: “I am very excited by this election; to be nominated uncontested shows the confidence bestowed on me by my peers in the student affairs sector. I accept it on behalf of my students, 'abantwana bam’, for whose future depends on all of us at CPUT. If we allow them to perish, history will judge us harshly. They are our future leaders... This honour will benefit them tremendously.”

She emphasised that the key mandate of SAASSAP is pivotal to transforming student experiences across the educational landscape. This includes:

• Actively coordinating impactful strategic projects that champion student success, mental health, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) awareness, diversity and inclusion, and social and financial inclusion, while also aligning with the goals of Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 across all 26 universities.
• Establishing dynamic platforms for learning, collaboration, and benchmarking, fostering the sharing of best practices and innovative research aimed at enhancing student development.
• Crafting a comprehensive project management tool, coupled with robust coordination, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms, dedicated to improving student access, retention, and overall success.
• Engaging in proactive stakeholder management to unite key national and international players across various sectors, including government, private industry, academia, professional associations, development partners, and civil society, creating a powerful network dedicated to the advancement of education and student well-being.
• By driving these initiatives, SAASSAP is committed to making a lasting impact on the educational journey of students, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive.

“Individually, this means professional and career development as I will now have the view of what is happening in student affairs across the universities.”

She said the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) and the Student Representative Council (SRC) will be provided with the latest developments and benchmarks in different areas of strategic applications. “Our SRC practices and strategic practices, and approaches will be enhanced through this exposure. Our vision 2030 DSA strategy will be enhanced or modified through case studies, benchmarks, and approaches from different universities.

Tyolwana said CPUT will be able to host national student affairs programmes, seminars, and conferences. She noted that the Ministry of Higher Education and its entities will recognise CPUT as a contributor to the higher education agenda through the student affairs profession. The leadership is responsible for communicating with the Minister and senior officials in higher education about issues that affect students, such as NSFAS, accommodation, and mental health.

They represent South African student affairs at local, national, continental, and global levels. They are also connected to the Student Affairs associations in the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and various international groups. The leadership works closely with other student and staff associations, including SRCs, the South African Union of Students, the National Association for Student Development Professionals, the Association of College and University Housing Officers, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and the Association of College and University Student Educators. 

The Deputy President is Dr Irene Mohasoa from Walter Sisulu University. The Secretary General is Dr Bernard Sebake from Central University of Technology, and the Deputy Secretary General is Tulani Nkuntse from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Dr Tebogo Ncokazi from the University of Zululand holds the position of Treasurer General.

The Research and Development Officer is Prof Percy Sepeng from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Asanda Tele from the University of Fort Hare has been appointed as the Media Liaison Officer, and Tyolwana will oversee Projects as the Projects Coordinator. “I am excited to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the South African student affairs profession through SAASSAP. The team is made up of colleagues with different academic qualifications and diverse skills.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) has launched a food and sanitary collection drive to raise awareness about food insecurity and encourage staff and students to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries.

Louisa Brits, Head of Student Counselling, expressed that this initiative aims to promote the spirit of Ubuntu and inspire a united response to a vital national challenge that affects CPUT students. Brits highlighted that the DSA recognises that CPUT students are integral to a larger community, embodying the resilience needed to address the psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges faced by many South Africans.

 “These trends and challenges are thereby also affecting the development and success of the student at CPUT. It is through the work of DSA that we seek to address various challenges through different interventions that may impede the health, wellness, and success of the student at CPUT. One such challenge is food insecurity,” she remarks.

Some of the objectives are as follows:

• To raise awareness and sensitise the CPUT community about food insecurity and period poverty.
• To mobilise various internal and external stakeholders to contribute food, toiletries, and sanitary products to support students in need.
• To strengthen the institution's commitment and establish a unified approach toward promoting student wellness and success.

“We encourage all staff and students to form a unified stance and demonstrate the values of Ubuntu and come out to support our 2025 Mandela Day drive as a call to action under the theme: 'It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”

Donations of various non-perishable food items and sanitary products can be made at multiple locations across all campuses. The designated donation points include:

• Student Counselling Offices
• Campus Health Clinics
• HIV Unit Offices
• Disability Unit Offices
• Library Circulation Desks
• Student Centres (District Six and Bellville) and the Student Housing Reception
• All Residence coordinators’ offices at their respective student residences

In addition, faculties, departments, and units can bring their donations on July 18 and July 31 at the following locations, Bellville Campus: Sports Hall and Student Centre from 10 am to 2 PM.

Brits said the students are facing significant challenges related to food security and sanitary needs, which affect their academic and personal success. While there are several food security initiatives in place at CPUT, there is a continued need for supplies and resources to empower service departments to assist students discreetly with various health and psychosocial issues. These departments require non-perishable items to maintain ongoing support for our CPUT students.

“We therefore call to action the CPUT student and staff community to join DSA in a joint food and sanitary drive to contribute to and promote student wellbeing and success, by donating towards our Mandela Month drive.

“We challenge all faculties, departments, units, and residences to participate in the donation drive and compete to “Out-donate, out-give, outshine!” on 18 July, during which we will have 67 minutes for the Mandela Day event to receive donations, and together pack and sort donations. The drive will conclude on the 30th of July with a final donation sorting and packing initiative.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The delegates of the Afrocentric Student Affairs International Conference, comprising passionate student affairs practitioners, visionary student leaders, insightful researchers, and dedicated policymakers from universities throughout South Africa, the African continent, and the African diaspora, recently convened at CPUT to champion the advancement of Afrocentric student affairs scholarship.

Nonkosi Tyolwana, the Dean of Student Affairs, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Professor Rishi Balkaran, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning. He set the tone for the 2025 Afrocentric Student Affairs International Conference, which took place at Granger Bay Campus with the theme: "Africanising Student Affairs through Ubuntu: Infusing African Epistemology". During the conference, he presented the "Student Affairs Scholarship and Engagement Model Theory" as an effective framework for achieving academic goals within student affairs.

Understanding the pressing need to decolonise higher education and embrace African epistemologies, the delegates expressed their heartfelt commitment to the principles of Ubuntu, which remind us that "I am because we are." They acknowledged the transformative power of African-centered education in nurturing student access, success, and retention, and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that the conference aims to support all learners on their educational journeys.

The keynote address - Driving agenda 2063 through Afrocentric education to enhance growth and development was delivered by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, who is also a former president of the Student Representative Council at CPUT (Peninsula Technikon then).

The key outcomes of the conference included the following:

• Development of a holistic Afrocentric Student Success framework, in collaboration with Assistant Deans for Learning and Teaching, FUNDANI CHED, the Director of the Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity, and Social Change, Brightness Mangolothi, student leaders, and professional associations such as NASDEV, ACUHO-i-SAC, and SASSAAP.
• Institutionalisation of residences as “Afrocentric Living, Learning, and Listening Communities” (LLLc) within the context of Afrocentric theory and philosophy.
• Harmonisation of Afrocentric Student Leadership Academies across student affairs in higher education.
• Establishment of Peace and Security initiatives through relevant national and international instruments to promote a “Safe and Secure Campus Life.”
• Creation of the Global Afrocentric Student Affairs Scholarship Network (GASAS.net) as a resolution of the conference. A multi-stakeholder Task Team has been established to drive this process.

Looking back on the event, Tyolwana highlighted the key takeaways: "The conference brought together student affairs practitioners, researchers, student leaders, and academics from across the continent to explore 'student affairs scholarship' in higher education. The main outcomes included:

• Analysing how student development theories can be applied within Afrocentric frameworks, which is essential for supporting our diverse student populations.
• Investigating the direct connection between student affairs scholarship and the academic project."

The Conference Declaration emphasizes the ongoing historical demands of students for decolonized education, in line with various texts adopted by African States that promote African cultures and languages. Key documents include:

• The Pan-African Cultural Manifesto of Algiers (1969)
• The Cultural Charter for Africa (1976)
• The Declaration on the Cultural Aspects in the Lagos Plan of Action (1985)
• The draft Charter for the Promotion of African Languages in Education developed in Accra (1996)
• The Harare Declaration (1997)
• The Nairobi Plan of Action for Cultural Industries in Africa (2005)
• The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (2003)
• The Language Plan of Action for Africa (2006)
• The Charter for African Cultural Renaissance (2006)

Additionally, the delegates acknowledge the relevance of Agenda 2063, which calls for:

• Revising African higher education to align with the ideals of African-centeredness and values, as well as the educational aspirations of Pan-African universities.
• Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on “Inclusive Education,” which intersects with all 17 Goals.
• Given the necessity to promote Afrocentric scholarship within student affairs and to affirm a student-centered African identity, the conference urges higher education institutions across the continent to take concerted and concrete measures to strengthen the integration of Afrocentricity within the academic and social frameworks of universities.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Empowering young women was at the centre of the recent Afrocentric International Student Affairs pre-conference, recently held at the Bellville Campus.

The event, presented by EmpowHer-SA-CPUT, was dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in leadership, growth and resilience and included displays of arts and culture and thought-provoking panel discussions.

Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, welcomed the audience with a message of encouragement.

“You are not vulnerable. You are in charge of this society… you can lead and you have all the potential to lead.”

Zimasa Dumbisa from the Mowbray Local Student Representative Council delivered a message of support.

“As we gather here today, let us acknowledge the women who paved the way for us. Let us celebrate their achievements, their courage and their commitment to excellence, but let us also recognise that there is still a lot of work to be done. Let us continue to empower each other as women in leadership.”

Brightness Mangolothi, Director of the Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change, spoke on the topic of Advancing Equality and Access for Young Women in Education and Leadership.

“I just want to say to you when we talk about participation, we are the ones that we've been waiting for. You are the leader that you desire. In most cases, we think we have to wait for someone to make the change in our lives. We are the change that we want to see.”

Prof Dionne Rosser-Mims, Vice-Chancellor of Troy University in the United States of America, said it was a “profound honour” for her to attend the event.

“To the students in this room, your voice matters. Your presence is powerful. You are not the leaders of tomorrow; you are the leaders of today. To the allies who are in this room – your role is not to speak for but to stand with. Use your privilege to amplify and not overshadow,” she said.

Other speakers included HERS-SA chairperson, Dr Soraya Beukes, the Division of Student Affairs’ Melani-Ann Hara, who provided an overview of the EmpowHer Programme and entrepreneur, Itumeleng Maganedisa.

Dr Melanie Swanson, Head of the HIV/Aids at CPUT, said the event “created a platform for empowered voices that echoed growth, addressed barriers and for seeing a new generation of bold, brilliant young women”.

She said the event was a launchpad for future women leaders, leading in their spaces.

“This type of platform reinforces our commitment towards passing the baton to them to lead as young minds.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Bellville Campus Quad was brought to a standstill in early October 2011, when South Africa’s new singing sensation, Zahara, sang and strummed her guitar to the jubilation of scores of music revelers who came to witness her talent.

Brought to CPUT courtesy of the Department of Student Affairs as part of its Wellness Day entertainment programme on campus, the songstress hypnotised her fans with songs from her new album, Loliwe.

‘Zahara’, whose real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana, has catapulted to iconic status all over the country after the release of her album earlier this year, which went double platinum within two weeks of its release. Her popularity could be witnessed by students and staff singing along with her during the renditions.

Student Development Officer, Lindi Gayiza, who was involved in organising the event, said it was for the first time that the Quad got to be packed as it was during this event.

Zahara told Moja she was overwhelmed by the manner in which she was received by the CPUT community and described her show here as quite fulfilling.

By: Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News
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Beginning university studies can be the journey of a lifetime and the Student Affairs Department is there to show you the way.

The department is responsible for a range of sporting, cultural, developmental and recreational opportunities- the bulk of which is free to all registered CPUT students.

Pop into the Student Affairs offices in the new library building in Bellville, the Student Centre in Cape Town, and in the F Block in Wellington to find out what is on offer.

Also don’t forget to pick up your Passport to Student Life, a brochure detailing how to access these numerous services.

The Sporting Development Office offers a plethora of exciting sport codes like capoeira, soccer, handball, karate, swimming, rugby and golf. These sports are offered across the Bellville, Cape Town and Wellington Campuses although any CPUT student, with a valid student card, can join and take advantage of free transport between campuses.

The more creative-minded student is catered for with drama, voice artists and a vibrant student media unit that has its own radio station.

A variety of clubs and associations are always planning new ventures and looking for fresh members. The best way to stay connected to everything Student Affairs is doing, is to like their Facebook page or to follow them on Twitter.

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.

Make the most out of your time at CPUT and connect with the Department of Student Affairs (DSA).

From an exciting number of sport codes to the choir or university radio station, CPUT students have access to a wide variety of activities outside of the classroom environment.

These activities are all coordinated by the DSA’s various divisions, which includes sport development, student development, arts and culture, student media and student governance.

The department also facilitates environmental programmes, awareness campaigns, and various corporate social responsibility programmes across campuses throughout the academic year.

“We currently have full time DSA staff on most of our campuses and our activities are open and accessible to any registered students and are where possible, free of charge,” says Anette Grobler, a Student Development Officer at DSA.

Globler says the department promotes itself as “your home away from home” and encourages students to visit their various offices and see what they have to offer.

For updates on events, excursion or programmes, like the DSA Facebook page or follow the department on twitter @CPUTSTUDENTS

Contact details

Cape Town Campus
021 460 3149

Bellville Campus
021 959 6637

Wellington Campus
021 864 5247

Mowbray Campus
021 680 1695

Athlone Campus
073 158 9168

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

CPUT Live Radio, an exciting platform which will serve as a hub of communication, learning and creativity, was recently launched.

The new platform will give students the opportunity to express their voices and aims to embody oneness and smartness as envisaged in Vision 2030.

Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the guests to the hybrid event and said the project was a special one.

“It is special because it will be run entirely by our talented students as part of their training and experiential learning. Our students can take the reins and showcase their skills in broadcasting, journalism, production and so much more. Under our esteemed academics and professional leadership of MCD (Marketing and Communication Department), we will give guidance and oversight, our students will have the chance to shine and unleash their creative potential on the airwaves.”

Prof Tembisa Ngqondi, Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Design, said the project is a collaboration between the Faculty of Informatics and Design, the Department of Student Affairs and MCD.

She said the project would allow students to develop and produce content while preparing their portfolios, hence giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills set.

Ngqondi said the project included the values of ethical content generation.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said the content would showcase the vibrancy of CPUT life in all facets, including highlighting the programmes, services and opportunities available to students.

“It will also document the developments related to learning and teaching at CPUT and profile cutting-edge research and responsive community engagement projects undertaken by our staff. It will also serve as an archive that documents the development of the institution.”

Nhlapo said that in the medium term the project had the potential to be a one-stop shop where all related media content is housed. In the short term the focus would be audio content.

“To all our students, particularly creatives, this is your laboratory. This is where you have to practice to be the best that you can be. Our role as leaders is to provide an enabling environment for you to be the best version of yourselves. All of us must be content creators. And any interested member of the CPUT community is welcome.”

Journalism students will have an aspect of their coursework geared at generating content.

Messages of support were delivered by representatives of Council, the Convocation and the Central SRC.

Dr Sisanda Nkoala, an academic at UNISA and former CPUT Media Department academic thanked industry partners, including CPUT journalism alumna for their support.

Guests were also given the opportunity to listen to some of the first podcasts produced by the students.

Student Aiden Mcconney, who is one of the trainees of the project, described the experience as eye-opening and said the training had taught her about the many aspects of media and taught her new skills.

“I’m grateful to have been a part of this”.

Nonkosi Tyolwana, Acting Dean of Student Affairs, congratulated the students who have completed a training programme and handed over certificates to them.

Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department, delivered a vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the project.

He said many radio personalities started off at a campus radio station.

Click here to listen to the podcasts.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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