A Cape Flats informal settlement is the latest to have received a multi-million rand facelift with the help of CPUT students.

The new-look Flamingo Crescent settlement in Lansdowne was officially launched in February by the mayor of Cape Town Patricia De Lille, after a three and a half year wait.

The camp, which is now called Flamingo Heights after its revamp, used to have only two taps and seven working toilets for 102 households while the walkways were water logged and unhygienic.

Thanks to a R2.6 million cash injection from the city the camp now features a tap and toilet for every household, service roads for emergency vehicles, a newly built crèche and new fire resistant dwellings.

CPUT’s Town and Regional Planning students assisted the development by engaging with the community during the remapping process. The completed project now means that every household has its own address and is able to receive mail.

BEFORE: A view of what the informal settlement looked like in 2014

Lecturer Rayner Moodley says the Flamingo Heights project was a tangible example of how planners need to be involved from the very start.

“Flamingo Heights is a fantastic real life story,  after four years we finally have a completed model that epitomizes how community partnerships which are facilitated by professional planners and academia can produce a successful output,” he says.

AFTER: The revamped Flamingo Heights

Lecturer Nicholas Pinfold says the Flamingo Heights project epitomizes the spirit of Ubuntu.

“It has created collective knowledge and experience among people through the process of learning and doing together in the spirit of Ubuntu,” he says.

Written by Lauren Kansley

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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Excellent students within the Town and Regional Planning department were commended at an Awards ceremony event recently.

To receive an award students need to achieve top marks in a variety of subjects like Planning Design, Planning Theory and Computer Aided Design.

Adriaan Neethling, Bella Jirri, Gregory Joubert and Shannon-Lee Newman were all recipients however one student, Jevon Jacobs, stole the show receiving a staggering six awards including the Dean’s Merit Award for Academic Excellence.

Jevon achieved 99% for his presentation on his Work Integrated Learning project which focussed on a high density development for the Kleinvlei area.

Lecturer Rayner Moodley commended Jevon for his excellent presentation style and subject choice saying he was destined for big things.

Deputy Dean for Informatics and Design Colin Daniels thanked the parents who were present for assisting their children to achieve academic excellence.

“No student can achieve this level of academic success if they are not fully supported,” he says.

KEYNOTE: Quahnita Samie urged students to be socially responsible Town Planners

Keynote Speaker Quahnita Samie, who is also a CPUT Town and Regional Planning alumnus, gave insight into her passion for heritage resource management.

Her company Vidamemoria is currently busy with the heritage status of The Bo-Kaap, Kramats, District 6 and Gugulethu 7 sites.

Reflecting on some of the planning injustices of the past she encouraged the students to use their hearts as well as their heads when working.

“Planning is about more than just a line on a map, it affects people’s lives. Sometimes as planners, we forget that,” she told the audience.

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.

Staff and students from the Architectural Technology and Interior Design Department recently enjoyed an insightful tour of the Old Granary as part of the City of Cape Town’s 2023 Heritage Month Education Programme.

Head of Department Rayner Moodley said six staff members and five students participated in the tour of the historic building.

The Old Granary was built more than 200 years ago and is steeped in history. It has had many uses over the years including town granary, a woman’s prison and a magistrate’s court.

Following the completion of restoration work in 2018, it became the home of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

Marc Smith-Ferreira, Professional Heritage Education Officer in the City’s Directorate: Spatial Planning and Environment and the tour’s coordinator, said it was “truly great” to have the Department of Architectural Technology and Interior Design staff and students in attendance as part of the City’s 2023 Heritage Month Education Programme.

“The engaging nature of staff and students alike was apparent from the start and well received. All the more reason why we’re thankful for the opportunity to share the significance of the Old Granary’s heritage with them.​”

Moodley thanked the City and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The Department of Architectural Technology and Interior Design celebrated Africa Day with an exhibition titled: Tribal Identities of South Africa.

Held at 80 Roeland Street, this vibrant event provided students with a platform to connect with fellow artists, faculty members, departmental lecturers, and visitors, while sharing the rich narratives and artistic journeys of their cultural tribes and identities.

The exhibition sought to honour the diverse cultural heritage of South Africa's tribal communities, which are a vital part of the nation's identity. Visual artists from the department were invited to participate in this unique showcase of artistic expression and cultural appreciation.

The preparations for the exhibition sparked significant interest among students, eager to express their cultural identities through art. This enthusiasm was palpable at the opening, where the audience warmly received the artworks, igniting curiosity about future exhibitions.

Staff and students shared their positive experiences. Staff member, Rezah Mogamat commented: "I think it was an awesome initiative. One of the students came to chat to me in private afterwards to say how glad he was to partake in this initiative. The hidden talent hey!!"

Students also reflected on their participation. Raeesah Toefy remarked: "It was overall a great experience. I feel like I could've spent more time on making my art piece look better, but I had fun painting it and researching about my culture. It was a learning curve for me which I enjoyed."

Raeesah added: "Yes, I would participate again. Life is all about risks and experiences, and exhibiting artwork is a fun and great experience. Even if you're new to the field or not too confident about your art pieces, you'll only get better at it."

In his opening address at the exhibition, Head of Department, Rayner Moodley, said: “As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, ‘We are not people of one book, one truth, or one way. We are people of many books, many truths, and many ways…”"

Moodley thanked students for their enthusiasm in partaking in this exhibition and encouraged them to embrace their heritage and let it inspire their creativity and innovation.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Department of Architectural Technology and Interior Design has made a significant contribution to flood relief efforts in the city by preparing and donating food parcels. The recent severe storms in the Western Cape left hundreds of Capetonians displaced and caused extensive damage to homes.

In response, the department's generous donation was delivered to the Roeland Street Fire Station, a key drop-off point for aid.

Rayner Moodley, Head of the Department, noted that the initiative was spearheaded by academic staff member Tasleema Mohamed. Moodley emphasised the importance of community engagement and the role of academic institutions in mobilising support for those in need.

The station commander expressed deep gratitude for the department’s contribution. Moodley added: "This effort underscores the value of giving back to the community and demonstrates how involving students and academic staff in charitable activities can significantly impact those less fortunate."

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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