CPUT’s new Chancellor Prof Brian Figaji sees his new role as one of enhancing the vision for the institution and supporting the leadership as the university enters its third decade.

Figaji is an opinionated voice in the Higher Education sector, and he has spoken publicly on the quality of leadership and its impact on post-school education. With 25 years of experience at the former Peninsula Technikon, and countless more serving on the boards of fellow universities and in the business world, Figaji’s opinions carry considerable weight.

He says his role as Chancellor is to observe and speak directly to the Vice-Chancellor and Chair of Council if he sees room for improvement.

“While it is a ceremonial role I am not likely to be silent. However if I want to raise things I will do it directly with the VC and Chair and Council,” he says.

“I think Prof Nhlapo is quite focused and has done a lot to building CPUT and healing divisions which was caused by the merger.”

Speaking ahead of his official installation on Wednesday, Figaji said it was heartwarming to see the seeds of projects sown during his tenure now fully in bloom at CPUT.

One such project is the connection to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US. The idea was first touted by Figaji during his term as Peninsula Technikon Rector and over the decades many useful linkages like funding initiatives and staff exchanges happened with the US based university renowned for its engineering and science programmes. Figaji credited Nhlapo for seeing the benefit of this and maturing the initiative into new directions.

Figaji is CPUT’s third Chancellor. He was the Rector of Peninsula Technikon for 10 years of the 25 he spent at the legacy institution.

The installation ceremony will be livestreamed via the YouTube channel.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

“You can make a difference.”  This was the message from CPUT’s Chancellor and Minister in the Presidency: National Planning, Dr Trevor Manuel when he visited Mitchell’s Plain recently.

The event for Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role-Model Trust was held at Oval North High School earlier this month.

Business Faculty Dean, Professor Mzikayise Binza, head of the Civic Engagement Unit, Buntu Gwija and other CPUT representatives also attended the event.

Dr Manuel urged all former pupils of Mitchell’s Plain High schools to return to the area and “make a difference”.

He also urged role models to help break the poverty cycle, by motivating and providing opportunities for future leaders.

CPUT alumni and current students offered mentorship, financial support, training and placement opportunities and Prof Binza confirmed his faculty’s commitment to the Youth Unemployment Prevention Project.

UNIFIED SUPPORT: (From left) Business Faculty Associate Dean, Ivan van der Heever; Minister Dr Trevor Manuel; Faculty Dean Prof Mzikayisa Binza and Buntu Gwija.

Other initiatives mentioned on the day included the Post-school Opportunity Seminar held at Spine Road High in January, where school leavers were identified to enter the Business Faculty’s Extend Curriculum Programmes. CPUT staff also facilitated the re-registration of former students who could not continue their studies due to financial or other constraints.

CPUT staff and students interested in the project can contact Faiez Dollie on 021 801 1688 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) welcomed its new Chancellor, Thandi Modise, in a ceremony attended by Minister of Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande.

Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Modise succeeds former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel as Chancellor, and in doing so becomes the first woman, and only the second person to ascend to this office at CPUT.

Modise said she felt honoured to lead the largest tertiary institution in the Western Cape. Referring to the difficulties all tertiary institutions have been facing since 2015, she says, “Although it is a challenge I have always welcomed getting into difficult spaces, if only to prove that women are capable. It is also an awesome task because with the economy slowing down some of the issue bedevilling CPUT – issues of high salaries and properly catering to students are going to take longer to address because the fiscus is strained.

“Even though the job of a Chancellor is very ceremonial, I am taking up the challenge to engage and try to mediate between the students and management. For me this is important because the only way forward is if there is stability. The challenges we are facing with a university like this one, which must push innovation, is that you must produce and produce fast to mitigate the risks. I will be taking up the challenge and am very, very honoured.”

Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo in his welcome address spoke of Modise’s proven track record as a competent and capable leader, “I look forward to the ways you will assist us in creating futures and making this university into a world-class institution.”

Minister Nzimande says the institution was gaining a highly principled Chancellor.

 “One of the most important things precisely during these challenging times in the higher education sector, generally, and at CPUT, specifically, is that we need more government leadership to work together with student and worker leadership. It becomes therefore very important that she joins the higher education community at this point because we need her wisdom and dedication. She’s a very principled person and we need those like her to act as examples,” he says.

Written by Abigail Calata

A total of 653 graduates walked across the stage during CPUT’s annual Spring Graduation held today.

The number included 39 Masters and five Doctoral students and the ceremonies were officiated by Chancellor Trevor Manuel.

Ceremony one guest speaker Fred Robertson encouraged the graduates to appreciate the sacrifices made by struggle veterans like Manuel as well as Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli and Govan Mbeki.

“You stand on the shoulders of greatness and you have a great responsibility,” he told them.

Robertson sketched his own career path starting from humble beginnings in District Six where his entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured to the slums of the Cape Flats.

His incredible career journey culminated in him heading Brimstone Investment Corporation, a multi-billion rand investment corporation, among other incredible successes, and being named a leading figure in the national business community.

Robertson reminded graduates that his success, and theirs, was dependent on the support they received from family, friends and their alma mater, adding that before them 75 000 students had graduated from CPUT in its 10 year history.

“Give back to your alma mater. We need to cultivate a culture of giving back,” he says.

Robertson also encouraged graduates to commit to life-long learning.

“Expand your knowledge continuously and teach others as well, because in teaching others you also learn. Believe in yourself and be brave, passionate and remember life is a team effort.”

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.