The fact that CPUT alumna and celebrity chef, Siba Mtongana, opened her restaurant during Covid-19 gives students hope and encourages them to work hard, and to remember “that anything is possible”.
This was said by Central Student Representative Council Secretary-General, Nonele Ganyile, following the Young Women Empowerment programme’s interactive conversation with Siba via Zoom recently. “The event was motivational, Siba related well with our students, her experiences as a student resonated well with our students, the advice she gave for our students were spot on”.
“She is a humble, beautiful woman who has made a mark not only for herself but for many women who look up to her,” Nonele remarked.
This interactive webinar which was attended by students and staff members including the Dean of Students, Prem Coopoo, touched on topics such as young women empowerment and personal development. The event was hosted by the Young Women Empowerment Programme, an initiative of the Division of Student Affairs, championed by the HIV/Aids Unit.
Mtongana spoke passionately about the importance of gender equality, personal growth, self-respect and gender-based violence (GBV). “We as women need to value ourselves. Your background should not be a dictator of your life and it must not determine where you are going,” Siba continued.
“No sugar daddies, you are your own bank account, create your own money, work for yourself,” she warned young women.
“You need to take care of your body so that it can carry you. Have a holistic feel, find a way to grow holistically so that you don’t have regrets. Invest in yourself, read books and don’t feel unworthy”
Touching on the issue of GBV, she emphasised that the issue starts when people don’t respect themselves and end up doing gruesome stuff to women. “It’s high time to call each other out.”
She also encouraged the students to find a way to get a balanced diet while they are studying, based on their monthly budget.
Head of the HIV/AIDS Unit, Melanie Marais said the occasion was outstanding, very motivational and “exactly what our students needed”. Siba was also thrilled about the event, “I’m super excited as this is my first engagement with CPUT at large. So well done to your team”.
Reflecting on the event, Mtongana said: “I had such a fantastic time! It was excellent. It felt very impactful. I could feel the excitement of the students. It really warmed my heart. Thank you so much. Thank you... I really enjoyed it and it looks like what I shared really resonated with the students and they really took it to heart. So I’m very hopeful that in future I will have pops of youngsters who quote this day or mark this day as the turning point in their lives or a pinnacle or penny drop towards the right direction, or thinking in the right direction.”
On her Instagram page, Mtongana posted: “It was just time meaningfully spent with the university students and lecturers which happens to be my alumni too…Talk about closing the loop…What a rewarding experience it was with future innovators, leaders and future captains of industry”
One of the participants, Kgaohelo Gaborone said: “Thank you so much Siba. Such an empowering and insightful conversation. Been advised very well, you're such an inspiration.”
Marais added: “We as CPUT are proud to be associated with a woman of Siba Mtongana’s calibre, an international multi-award-winning chef and culinary extraordinaire author and entrepreneur.”
Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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