CPUT continues to build strategic partnerships with other international academic institutions, and recently hosted a group of students and staff members from the Johnson and Wales University (JWU) at the Cape Town Hotel School.

JWU is a leading tourism, sport and hospitality education provider in America and its students have been visiting CPUT each year since 2009. This provides them with an incredible opportunity to broaden their understanding of the developing nations in Africa, and the different challenges and opportunities that are provided in our country.

The lecturers of the different institutions usually exchange case study notes and ideas and discuss research collaboration opportunities.

“It (the visit) provides an opportunity for CPUT staff and students to discover and learn more about the courses, curriculum and current issues within the tourism, sport and hospitality sector globally,” says CPUT’s Brendon Knott, a senior lecturer in Sport Management. 

Knott shared some of his research which he conducted during the FIFA World Cup in 2010 with the visitors. The JWU group which visited the university in 2010 assisted him with data collection in the fan parks.

Sean Daly, an Assistant Prof at JWU, says they are looking forward to growing their relationship with CPUT and exploring other areas of colloboration.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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With the latest tourism figures showing that the country had its best tourism season on record last year, it would seem that hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been a boost for South Africa.

Now a major study, led by CPUT, analyzing the socio-economic impact of the event has drawn to a close. The research undertaken by Prof Kamilla Swart and her MTech and DTech students was celebrated at a function at the Granger Bay campus recently, where it was confirmed that the World Cup has undoubtedly shone a positive light on both Cape Town and South Africa.

Swart is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business and heads the Centre for Tourism Research in Africa. She was the Project Manager of the massive undertaking, which saw over seven thousand surveys being conducted over the period of the World Cup, in partnership with the City of Cape Town and the Cape Higher Education Consortium.

Swart praised the hard work of the collaborators, including the City’s Carol Wright, and spoke of the sleepless nights, anxiety and fun that the huge project entailed.

She also spoke of the need for a critical understanding of event impacts on the city. Results indicate that Cape Town and the country were positively profiled, with latest tourism figures backing this up.

With tourism in many other countries on the decline owing to the troubled Euro-zone, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced in Parliament in April that South Africa recorded 3.3% more tourists than in 2010, when growth of 15.1% was achieved.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
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On the eve of the 100-day countdown to the kickoff of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™, the campus community at CPUT was treated to a day of football related celebrations and entertainment by local artists.

The Cape Town campus piazza was a hive of activity on 1 March 2010 where students and staff gathered to support the 100 days countdown until the start of the World Cup later this year.

The outdoor event was organised by the Department of Student Affairs, under the auspices of Head of Student Affairs Sibusiso Chalufu.

Student Development Officer Annette Grobler acted as Project Manager. She was assisted by Student Development Officer Derek Stocken, Cathy Cloete of the Marketing and Communication Department and several dedicated staff members and students.

One of the main attractions for the day was the highly acclaimed Capetonian Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, who are the most high profile act to be hosted by CPUT Student Affairs.

MTN, an official sponsor for the World Cup and major brand Red Bull supported the event by handing out promotional hats and energy drinks to the crowd.

Another favourite attraction was the Ajax Cape Town football team members who dropped in to sign autographs for their fans.

Master of Ceremonies for the event was Carol Manana, SABC Sport’s award-winning radio and television presenter, who captivated the audience with her natural charm and electric personality.

Manana has presented several other other football related events, including the World Cup Final Draw event in which actress Charlise Theron participated last December.

Manana said, “Events of this nature are important as a part of nation-building, as South Africans of all ages can be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.”

“These events also help to build momentum to the kickoff, because this is a dream come true for our country to host such a magnificent event”, Manana added.

On the day, her task was to introduce the day’s entertainment, which included several musical and dance acts.

Before the entertainment began, Chalufu addressed the audience and reiterated the importance of garnering support for the World Cup from all citizens.

He said, “Students should look out for other exciting events that our unit will present in the coming months, as we want to engage with students on all levels.”

Then the CPUT student Diski Dancers, led by Cape Town Tourism ambassador Amanda Martins, gave an enthusiastic demonstration.

They were followed by the World Champion hip-hop dance group, Ubuntu B-Boys that wowed the crowd.

The MTN dancers, who hail from the local township of Nyanga, also gave a stellar performance with their pantsula dance moves.

Finally, Freshlyground took to the stage and performed a lively set of their most popular songs with a debut of tracks from their forthcoming album.

As a grand finale, 100 green and yellow balloons were symbolically released to represent the days remaining to the start of the World Cup.

The event was closed with the crowd singing the South African national anthem in chorus.

By Thando J. Moiloa

Last year, he became the first South African ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and now Julio ‘Beast’ Bianchi has proven that his talents extend beyond gaming.

The 24-year-old, who hails from Uitsig, graduated to loud applause this morning with an Advanced Diploma in Accountancy, which he passed cum laude.

The day is even more special for Bianchi because he is also jetting off to London, where he will compete in the FIFA Team Of The Season (TOTS) Cup.

It was only through a visa delay that he was able to attend his graduation.

“I’m very honoured and grateful to be here. It’s a momentous occasion, and I have always wanted to celebrate it, especially after the difficult Covid period,” he said.

Bianchi said that as a teenager, his entire focus was on football as he realised that the sport allowed him to grow outside of his surroundings.

As he got older, he began to realise that his football dreams might not materialise as he was starting to feel the strain of injuries and the impact on his education.

While he had “had numerous club offers coming in”, he was also starting to discover the world of competitive FIFA online.

He said his PlayStation allowed him to become immersed in the world of FIFA, and he started to realise he was extremely good at the game.

Bianchi began to compete in regular competitions around the country, and he was noticed by one of South Africa’s most significant gaming organisations, Goliath Gaming; he was soon signed to the professional team and claimed many firsts for a South African FIFA player.

But he never neglected his studies, dedicated Mondays to Thursdays to his studies and weekends to gaming.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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