The Cape Town Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was host to the first leg of the seventh annual Vodacom Comedy Campus Tour on 12 May 2008.

The aim of the tour, hosted by local comic Nic Rabinowitz, is to find Cape Town’s funniest student. Also performing were Z and Ndumiso Lindi, a former CPUT student who was discovered on a previous tour at the Cape Town Campus in 2004.

Students who were confident in their stand-up comedy ability were invited to do a one-minute act on a subject of their choice. The winner for the first leg of the tour was Graphic Design student Gino Fernandez who used Nelson Mandela as his subject.

Fernandez walked away with a Nokia cellphone and may have a chance to be given a slot at the 2008 Vodacom Funny Festival like CPUT alumnus Sonwabile “Sho-Sho” Sigcau who was voted the funniest student of 2007.

The tour moves to the Bellville campus on Tuesday 13 May before going to other tertiary institutions around the Peninsula.

By Tyrone van Heerden, Marketing and Communication Department

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT libraries recently hosted a book donation ceremony at the Cape Town campus, where they donated books to several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Estelle Kruger, Senior Library Assistant responsible for public relations matters at the Cape Town campus library, said: “This event is part of the libraries’ portfolio. It’s part of our strategic plan, where we reach out to at least three NGOs. All the CPUT library branches contributed by donating books.”

The two NGOs that benefitted from this outreach initiative were Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), represented by Christy White and Nicro, represented by Beverley Du Plooy and Gerhard Jansen Van Vuuren.

PSFA’s White was open about what his organisation would do with their portion of the books.

“We need to feed our kids, so we are probably going to sell these books at a fair price, to buy food items which will be handed out at various schools” she said.

White also mentioned that they are one of five school-feeding organisations in the province; however theirs is the only non-profit organisation.

“During his time in office, former State President Nelson Mandela formed a primary school feeding fund, which provided food only to a certain percentage of schools. That’s where PSFA fits in; we try to the best of our ability to cater to those who do not gain from this past initiative”, said White.

Du Plooy and Van Vuuren mentioned that Nicro discovered a shortage of libraries in townships.

“The books will be used at our offices in Khayelitsha and Langa, as there is a high illiteracy rate throughout the disadvantaged areas”, said Van Vuuren.

Currently, Nicro has a number of sponsors that help to sustain their 53 branches nationwide. These sponsors include the Provincial Department of Social Development and the National Lottery.

The books were handed over by the Library’s two Public Relations interns, Nadia Majiet and Nelisa Ntsokota, who have become extensively involved in organising such events as part of experiential learning.

Also present at the book hand-over were Deputy Director of the Cape Town Campus Library Michiel Moll and Branch Manager Sulaiman Majal.

Referring to the representatives of the NGO’s, Moll said: “This gesture is a token of appreciation for what you do for the community of South Africa”.

According to Estelle Kruger, this outreach gesture was the first of many charity events the Libraries plan to do and the book donations will happen annually.

By Mariette Adams

Photo: Library staff members and representatives from the organisations who received the donations.

Written by CPUT News
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Break the rules, says Dr Tracey Naledi.

A public health specialist at the Western Cape Department of Health, Naledi urged graduates from the Faculty of Applied Sciences to simply not accept all rules.

It is not easy to determine what rules to break and what not to, but the development of society is about questioning the rules, says Naledi.

Referring to the late Nelson Mandela and the thousands who participated in Sharpville, Naledi says by questioning and breaking the rules of the time, South Africans today reap the benefits of living in a democratic society.

She says around the globe there have been rules that have had to be questioned, such as denying women access to higher education.

“The point is that some rules can be a source of injustice and great pain.”

She urged the class of 2016 to think about rules, look at them from multi-angles, research them and consult others.

“Make informed and concise decisions to follow, ignore or contradict the rules,” she says.

“Realise that your decisions will cost you. There will be consequences…be sure that you are willing to live with the consequences.”

Naledi says breaking rules requires responsibility and in some cases there will be mistakes.

“Making mistakes is a good thing…Every mistake is an opportunity for growth. It’s a teachable moment…because you are asking yourself ‘what happened’…you are reflecting.”

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.

Each year on 18 July Mandela Day honours Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy in a way that can bring about change.

This year we mark the Mandela Centenary Celebrations at CPUT by making a pledge about how we choose to make a difference to those in need.

CPUT campuses will use the day to highlight a Poverty Alleviation Initiative started in 2015 by Student Affairs and you can donate an item such as stationery, toiletries or non-perishable foods. Student Counselling will screen and assist students by disbursing the items as needed.

“On 18 July we encourage people to come and make a pledge and bring along an item,” explained Student Development Officer Melani-Ann Hara.

“You pledge how you are living the legacy. We want to showcase the good work that is being done by people on campus.”

“We need people to put up their hands and then continue with the work beyond just Mandela Day. We want to put together something sustainable.”

The first 100 people who drop off their donations on 18 July between 1pm and 2pm will receive a cup of soup.

Campus drop off points for donation items between 18 and 20 July are the Library Foyer.

On 18 July you can take your donations to the Student Centre between 1pm and 2pm where the Mandela Day Champions will help you make your pledge. You will be encouraged to leave your palm print on a pledge banner.

Campuses taking part in the Mandela Day Initiatives are Bellville, District Six, Granger Bay, Mowbray, Tygerberg and Wellington.

International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) will also host Peace Boxes on each of the campuses in 18 July.

“You write to the CPUT community or to government about issues of peace, or about fostering peace within the country and IPYG will deliver the letters. This is so that young people’s voices around fostering peace can be heard,” said Hara.

Written by Theresa Smith
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