CPUT’s new Staff Development Academy (SDA) offers staff a one-stop shop to grow their skills.

According to Human Capital: Learning and Development’s Shahieda Hendricks, the SDA strives to offer “ONE SMART platform where all staff development programmes, training information, relevant resources and valuable self-development programmes are available 24/7”.

It will be updated daily with new training programmes and information. The training programmes and information is a collaboration of various internal and external partners.

Staff can now access the Induction programme on the SDA which is available at all times and more than 30 training programmes on offer, ranging from courses offered by the Research Directorate, CTS, Human Capital to Risk Management and many more.

“The SDA aims to promote a learning culture for CPUT staff whilst providing the necessary support in developing skills and knowledge. We cater to the needs of staff members by making available courses which will enhance their ability to complete their day-to-day tasks. By doing so, we hope to promote job satisfaction and increase productivity amongst staff members,” said Hendricks

The SDA will soon add more interesting and valuable resources and opportunities.

The SDA may be accessed using the following methods.

• Staff members may access the SDA using the following link: https://sda.cput.ac.za/
• Those who do not have access to the link may simply browse the internet by searching up “CPUT Staff Development Academy”.
• Staff members may also access the link via the email signatures of the Learning and Development team.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The CPUT Staff football team has expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the executive management for their support in helping the team participate and secure victory at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Staff Tournament.

The tournament was held at the University of Limpopo last week and the win brought the team their maiden trophy.

“We wish to pass our heartfelt gratitude to the executive management of CPUT for their support in helping us travel to Limpopo and fly the CPUT flag higher. We also wish to extend our message of appreciation to the following departments for their support: Sports, Arts and Culture, Advancement, and Human Capital. To all the colleagues who kept checking on us while we were away, thanks for the support and we appreciate you for showing us love,” said the team captain, Mvelo Siyaya.

The coach and Secretary General, Arthur Xolani, also extended his words of gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor [VC], Prof Chris Nhlapo, “for all the support he has given to us”. “From the moment we knocked on the door of the VC’s Office, we were welcomed with open arms and kindness and assisted with moral and financial support. I would also like to thank the Advancement Department, Sport, Arts, and Culture, as well as Human Capital for their kind support and contributions. And I will also thank the Marketing and Communication Department, Finance Department, Health, and Safety, and Campus Protection Services for their support and contributions,” said Xolani.

The proud coach said this victory was just the beginning, and “We should aim even higher because the sky is the limit”. He added that football is a team sport that thrives on unity and team spirit, and “we have truly excelled in that regard”. “The team really showed the spirit of oneness. I am deeply proud of all of you. We have made our mark in the history of USSA and CPUT. We will continue to develop other sporting codes and partnerships to ensure that CPUT remains at the top of the university sport.”

In welcoming the team and during the handover of the trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Nhlapo said: “Whenever we present CPUT we must represent to the best of our ability… I am really impressed by this group of winners. We have to support this winning team… Thank you very much for representing for representing us well. I know that this is just the beginning, there are other sporting codes that are actually coming. But for me, health and wellness come first. It’s very important that all of us we must be sure that we live well, we exercise, we walk, and we actually destress, one of the best ways of destressing is to ensure that we play sport.”

The captain admitted that it was a difficult tournament to participate in, especially considering that it was the team’s first participation in the Staff USSA Tournament, “but our unwavering bond and determination propelled us to success”. “Other universities had great individual players, but we had a great CPUT staff soccer team. Our victory serves as a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and a shared vision of unity.”

To prepare for the tournament they played in the Institution’s Res League and participated in tournaments that were organised for students by the Central Student Representative Council. Such tournaments helped the team to gain fitness and to identify areas of improvement within the team. They also played several friendly matches with the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town, and Stellenbosch University to prepare for this tournament.

“I feel extremely happy to captain this team of winners and the excitement is the same for everyone within the team. This victory is a symbol that together we can achieve greater things. The team holds a larger vision - one of promoting unity and collaboration among staff members through the power of sport. Our goal extends far beyond the confines of the football pitch. We aim to foster a sense of belonging and oneness among colleagues from all corners of the university,” Siyaya enthused.

Any member of the CPUT community who wants to join this exciting team may contact Mzingisi Muluse at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Anele Tyhulu at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In a historic collaboration between CPUT and PetroSA, fifteen academically deserving students with a range of disabilities have been offered full bursaries and guaranteed work contracts on the successful completion of their studies.

Darrin Arendse, Vice President of Human Capital at the national oil and gas company, is confident that this will promote a more diverse and inclusive university. Speaking at the launch of the Bursary Partnership last week, Arendse dubbed the initiative “a landmark agreement” which would help build an institution, workplace and country where everyone has a place in the sun.

His sentiments were echoed by Vice Chancellor Mazwi-Tanga, who emphasized that the partnership gives true meaning to equal opportunity. “No potential should be left undeveloped, and the fact that students from the engineering, IT and other scarce skills disciplines were selected makes this doubly important. “

The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged Dr Nina du Toit’s role, not only in this partnership but for her ground-breaking work in leading CPUT’s fledgling Disability Unit.

“I suspect we are the envy of our partner universities. Through the unit’s sterling work, we can boast that we truly strive to give our students, both able-bodied and disabled, real access to education”

Dr du Toit’s seminal role and influence was further acknowledged by the students’ themselves. Calling du Toit “a mother, mentor and angel all in one”, they also agree that the unit is like a second home to many of them. Students with a range of disabilities – from dyslexia, stuttering, epilepsy , visual and hearing impairment, to impaired mobility, quad and paraplegics are all catered for here.

In conjunction with these critical services offered by the unit, Arendse reiterated PetroSA’s commitment to the Bursary Partnership.

“In our fast-paced society characterised by the pursuit of convenience, it’s easy to ignore the challenges and difficulties faced by disabled people. But our own mindsets can be the biggest disability, by closing ourselves off to the possibilities that a diverse world offers. This collaboration is another example of how we are proudly shattering that tired paradigm, and making real inroads to a more inclusive society for all.”

By: Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Human Capital Director for Operations and Services, Ncediwe Qomoyi, has added a second master’s degree to her name.

Qomoyi recently graduated with a MPhil in Labour Law from the University of the Western Cape.

She also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Newcastle.

Qomoyi said she had decided to pursue her second master’s degree as she was a generalist in Human Resources and was interested in specialisation in labour law “just to further develop myself in that discipline”.

“I was also interested in researching on one issue that seems to be a challenge in Higher Education. My thesis topic is about ‘Investigating the impact of section 198B as introduced through the 2014 amendments to the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 on employees on fixed-term contracts within the Higher Education (HE) Sector’.

She said understanding labour or employment laws and employee relations as a human resources practitioner assists in supporting the employer to promote a healthy work environment and a healthy working relationship between employees themselves and also employees and the employer. “Human Resources Management is about being people-centric and labour laws are a backbone in regulating concepts like people centeredness. I am also a qualified mediator and also have a certificate in Conflict Management. “

While there were several challenges on her journey to graduation, she never gave up.

“It took me much longer than the stipulated duration for a master’s qualification. I registered thinking that I will manage but it was so difficult with my other commitments and schedules. It was really very difficult to juggle between my busy work schedule and commitments, my family and social life. I had just been appointed as an Acting Executive Director: Human Capital. It was a challenging period for the institution having insourced close to 1000 staff members. It was a new ball game altogether for me, my colleagues and the institution.”

She said her master’s comprised of two parts – course work and a mini thesis.

“For the course work, students were required to complete daily and timed assignments and submit every day. By the grace of God, I was able to finish the course work within the stipulated time. “

Qomoyi experienced a few issues with the thesis work and it took her longer to complete.

Encouragement from family and friends persuaded her to continue.

“I must say though that the shutdown from 2020 to 2021 due to Covid-19 was a devastation in the country, but it contributed positively towards me completing my thesis. I used much of the time to concentrate.

The determined Qomoyi said she would sacrifice sleep and worked during the nights until her paper was accepted in 2022.

“I am not a quitter. I normally fight to complete what I have started. Although this is the first qualification that took long to complete. With all my other qualifications, I completed them within the stipulated duration. I also want to give credit to my family, my husband and kids specifically, who were so supportive to me during this period. They would not sleep in support of me and trying to encourage me. “

She thanked her colleagues for their support.

Looking forward, Qomoyi said she was interested in pursuing her PhD.

“I have made some research and am making some enquiries with a few institutions with the hope to have positive feedback this year still. I do need some encouragement and support though.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.