Staff members and students from the HIV/AIDs Units at CPUT and Rhodes University shared their success stories at a recent workshop.

The agenda on the day placed a special focus on the Workplace Peer Educators Programme.

The successful event took place at the Cape Town campus with members of both HIV/AIDS Units exchanging ideas about the challenges facing their respective units and also offering solutions and suggestions.

Head of the CPUTs HIV/AIDS Unit, Prof Ashraf Mohammed, shared the highlights of the unit’s programmes for 2012 as well as its strategic objectives. Included in his presentation was information on the HIV/AIDS Negative Symposium.

“As much as we look after and care for those who are HIV positive we look after those who are negative as well to ensure that they maintain their HIV negative status,” says Mohammed.

Rhodes University’s Institutional HIV/ AIDS Officer Thandi Mzizi offered great insight into the workings of their Unit. Mzizi pointed out many important factors that are key to the success of their unit and Workplace Peer Education Programme.

A highlight on the day was a motivational speech by Jerome Dreyer, a former CPUT peer educator who has been rehabilitated from his drug addiction. He shared his story of recovery and how he practiced the HIV/AIDS Unit’s message of not sharing needles with his friends. He says this important act of prevention contributed greatly to him still being HIV negative.

By Nurahn Ryklief

Written by CPUT News
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The Web of Silence, a novel authored by CPUT lecturer Gail Bohle, aptly captures the experiences of first year university students.

This 183-page novel is the first to be published by Bohle, who is a Communication Skills Lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Set in the turbulent 1980’s, the novel traces the life of Emily, a hearing-impaired female, who leaves the safety of her home to attend Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

While at university she learns to cope with new friendships, conflict, betrayal and romance. Politics also threads its way through this novel.

Bohle, who has been writing since her teenage years said she was inspired to write this romance novel after completing a romantic writing course earlier this year.

An alumnus of Rhodes University, Bohle said when developing the story idea she drew on the experiences of first year university students.

“When you leave school and go off to university, love is often a big part of your life,” she said.

She also based Emily on the hearing-impaired learners whom she taught while working at the Dominican Grimley School, which promotes the aural/oral method of teaching.

Bohle said the book is a tribute to hearing-impaired learners as well as to the aural/oral method of teaching.

“The Web of Silence” is my first novel and as such I feel humble and surprised at the positive response I’m experiencing from family, friends and colleagues. I am also very excited about it,” she said.

Bohle said she would like this love story to reach hearing-impaired teenagers as well as parents of young hearing- impaired children.

She is now looking at publishing her second novel, which she authored 10 years ago.

“This has been a fantastic experience. It has spurred me on to go back to my first novel and rework it,” she said.

Bohle encouraged other writers to not give up and to utilise the various new methods of publishing books.

The Web of Silence can be purchased from www.crink.co.za as a download or as a paperback, which Crink will deliver to your physical address. It is also available at The Bay bookshops in Hout Bay and Somerset West.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News

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In a bid to strengthen CPUT’s partnerships with industry, private organisations and the community, the institution has set up the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning.

The Centre, which is based at the Bellville campus, will incorporate two units that are already functioning at the institution.

The Service Learning Unit, which drives the integration of community engagement with teaching, learning and research, and the Co-operative Education Unit, which is responsible for nurturing partnerships that result in students’ experiential training and graduate recruitment opportunities in the industry.

The Centre will serve as a link between the university and external community engagement partners. It will also be a clearing house and a central point that will provide evidence-based information for the purpose of institutional and national quality audits.

Heading up this new centre, is Dr Joyce Nduna, the former Director of Community Engagement at Rhodes University.

Dr Nduna is however no stranger to CPUT. She was the institution’s former Head of Community Engagement and Service Learning and has been instrumental in providing opportunities for students to interact with communities.

Dr Nduna said that the move to create the centre is in line with CPUT’s strategic plan which documents Community Engagement as one of its core functions.

”This new centre has been created to ensure that community engagement is implemented according to the CPUT’s community engagement policy which classifies service learning, co-operative education, volunteerism and outreach, as all forms of community engagement” said Dr Nduna.

“The creation of the Centre is also responsive to the 1991 Education White Paper on the Transformation of Higher Education which calls for all higher education institutions in South Africa to demonstrate greater responsibility and commitment to the socio-economic development of communities” she said.

In response to this call, a large number of South African higher education institutions have set up similar centres.

The national call for community engagement in higher education also corresponds with international practices which promote civic engagement in higher education. Such practices include the Talloires Network which is an international association of institutions committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education.

While Service Learning and Co-operative Education are course-based and involve credit-bearing educational programmes that provide opportunities for students to interact with communities and businesses, there is a need for the co-ordination of non-credit-bearing community projects that are initiated on a voluntary basis. Consequently, plans are in place to set up a third unit in 2010.

This third unit, which will be called the Civic Engagement Unit, will work closely with Student Development Officers and student societies and clubs.

“We would like to create a home for these community projects in order to develop a sense of civic responsibility amongst students and ensure that CPUT produces well-rounded graduates who are prepared for real life situations”, she said.

Dr Nduna said that other plans for this year include the establishment of a Community Engagement Committee of Senate. She is positive that all the programmes driven by the centre will have a positive impact on students as well as the community.

More information Talloires Network can be obtained from http://www.tufts.edu/talloiresnetwork.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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The world renowned Golden Key International Honour Society is due to be launched at CPUT in the third quarter of 2009.
The CPUT chapter will acknowledge and reward academic excellence among the top 15%of the university’s BTech and postgraduate students.

Golden Key, founded in the USA over 30 years, is one of the world’s largest academic honour societies. CPUT is the country’s first University of Technology to join this prestigious group.

Membership of the Society is by invitation only. The Society includes students in all fields of study and is based solely on an objective evaluation of the students’ academic achievements, with the primary goal being to enable members to realise their potential. The initiative is being co-ordinated by Transformation Manager Sam Henkeman and Alumni Officer Nandipha Madadasana, who will act as the University’s Golden Key chapter advisors.

In preparation for the launch, a preliminary information session was held on Cape Town Campus on 26 May 2009 in order to inform shortlisted students about the benefits of accepting the invitation to the Society.

After being welcomed by Madadasana, the students were addressed by Golden Key South Africa’s Johannesburg-based Director Charlene Günter, who explained the purpose of the Society and answered student questions. Henkeman closed the session and the Dean of Students gave thanks to those who had attended.

The Golden Key initiative forms part of a bigger student driven project being developed, which is aimed at creating a sense of belonging, unity and developing a common identity among members of the CPUT community.

To date, the Golden Key Society has over 370 chapters at colleges and universities in seven countries including the USA, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates.

In South Africa there are chapters at the University of Cape Town , Stellenbosch University , University of the Free-State, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University , Rhodes University , University of Pretoria , University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand .

Governed by an international Board of Directors, the Society offers more than $500,000 annually in scholarships and awards to its members, along with a variety of other opportunities, both in the academic and career fields.

A number of Golden Key chapters are involved in a wide variety of volunteer projects in their local communities such as Habitat for Humanity, Terry Fox Run, Make a Difference Day and various literacy service opportunities.

The Society’s membership stretches beyond academic recognition. Some of the offered benefits include graduate career assistance, scholarships, an online career centre, as well as leadership, community service and networking opportunities.

Golden Key South Africa is also an institutional member of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) and an affiliate member of the South African Graduate Recruiters Association (SAGRA).

By Thando J. Moiloa

Photo: Attending the Golden Key preliminary information session, along with the shortlisted student achievers, were (third from left to sixth from left) Alumni Officer Nandipha Madadasana, Transformation Manager Samuel Henkeman, Charlene Günter of the Golden Key International Honour Society and Dean of Students Cora Njoli-Motale.

Written by CPUT News
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Multilingualism in Higher Education was the focus of a recent Language Indaba hosted at CPUT.

Presented by CPUT’s Language Working Group in collaboration with Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development’s Language Unit, the event at the Granger Bay Hotel School attracted about 45 delegates from various parts of the country including curriculum officers, language specialists, academics and researchers.

The event focused on viable strategies and possible interventions that could improve access to learning.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof Russell Kaschula, Head of School of Languages at Rhodes University, said multilingualism underpins academic work.

 “Language is an environmental resource and not just a linguistic one,” Kaschula said when discussing the decrease of users of some indigenous South African languages.

He cited an author who predicted that endangered languages would die in 100 years’ time and that in 500 years’ time only English will be spoken in the world.

He suggested the inclusion of African Language proficiency as a requirement in professional training.  

Welcoming the delegates, Prof Anthony Staak, Deputy VC: Academic, told the gathering that the majority of CPUT students do not have English as their home language but that the university’s official medium of instruction is English.

“We know that this forms a major barrier to a student’s understanding of the difficult concepts in his or her field of study, particularly in the increasingly multilingual context of higher education,” says Staak.

CPUT’s Dr Monwabisi Ralarala and Dr Ernest Pineteh presented a research paper which found that international students struggle to adjust to a new and foreign educational system, both linguistically and culturally.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT's Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE) recently hosted a Public-Private Schooling Symposium where academics debated their views on different schooling systems as well as the benefits and concerns of collaboration schooling.

CITE Director, Prof Yusuf Sayed, said the public-private schooling debate has thus far raised more heat than light and that he hoped the symposium will add light to the debate.

Sayed argued that the answer to the provision of quality education lies with the restructuring of public education.

Dr Christiaan van der Merwe, Chief Executive Officer of Curro Holding Ltd, said great leadership and management, ethos and partnerships as well as accountability and transparency are some of the characteristics of successful schools.

Van der Merwe said that over the last 20 years education has generally improved across all schools.

"Every school should allow a child to be what they want and what they can be," he added.

Dr David Harrison, head of the DG Murray Trust, said distribution of quality education in schools has not changed in the last 20 years.

Harrison added that system-wide improvement is not enough on its own as it widens disparities between successful and underperforming schools.

He called for the strengthening of the existing capacity of public schools and district leadership in underperforming schools.

"Place underperforming public schools under new management."

He also called for the introduction of low fee private schools.

*The following universities collaborated in the organization of the symposium: CPUT, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, Rhodes University and Fort Hare University.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Ten tries against Rhodes University scored FNB CPUT a win during their second match of the Varsity Shield tournament.  

Not even Gauteng lightening could stop the defending the Varsity Shield’s champions from defeating FNB Rhodes University at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium as they won 68 against eight.  

The boys were rampant in their set play as the Rhodents just could not match their physicality or rush defence and they often found themselves losing the ball recklessly.

FNB CPUT was leading with 21 points against eight at half-time after scoring three

 tries, thanks to a brace by centre Bjorkan Hendricks and lock Joshua Paris. Flyhalf Imibongo Mgijima converted all the tries.

Overall CPUT tries were scored by Björkan Hendricks (2), Joshua Paris, Onika Mgijima, Hughwan Engelbrecht, Phumlani Mkhaliphi, Asisipho Malotana (2) and Imibongo Vabaza, Butsha Mputa.

Imibongo successfully converted nine tries and deservedly was voted the FNB Player that Rocks.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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A trio of our academics were recently awarded degrees as language doctors at Rhodes University during this year’s graduation season.

Thanks to CPUT's Prof Monwabisi Ralarala (co-supervisor) who was instrumental in the formation of a collaborative relationship between CPUT’s Language Unit and Rhodes University’s School of Languages, headed by Prof Russell Kaschula (main supervisor). All the three research projects would not have been possible without the financial support of the Teaching and Development Grant.

They were capped at the same graduation ceremony in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Sithembele Marawu, a lecturer in the Business and Management Sciences Faculty, Xolani Mavela and Zakhile Somlata in the Education Faculty were excited about their graduation.

The title of Somlata’s thesis is: “A critique of language policy and implementation strategies used in selected institutions of higher learning in South Africa”.

His thesis evaluated the language policy implementation strategies used in selected universities of South Africa, as most universities have their language policies, but the dilemma is on the implementation of those language policies.

“The overarching aim of the study was to evaluate how a university uses language policy for access and success of the students and to assess the language policy implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation.

“My knowledge on language policy implementation in higher education will be useful for me to play a role in breaking all the language barriers that disadvantage the majority of South African students in Higher Education,” says Somlata.

Mavela’s thesis is written in isiXhosa and entitled: Uphando-nzulu lweeMpendulo eziBhaliweyo zaBafundi bamaBanga aPhezulu eMfundo kuNcwadi lwesiXhosa.

The study investigates the causes of poor performance in written responses on isiXhosa literature assessments by FET Home Language and First Additional Language students. The researcher uses a mixed-method approach to gather his data and also provides measures to improve learner performance in isiXhosa literature assessments in both isiXhosa Home Language and First Additional Language levels.

“I am so happy to hear from various stakeholders that the study will contribute immensely towards a better pedagogy in isiXhosa literature and will easily spread to other African Languages as well,” says Mavela.

He was profiled in the Is`olezwe lesiXhosa newspaper for this achievement.

Marawu’s thesis explored the use of code-switching as a pedagogical strategy in bi/multilingual classroom settings.

His thesis was prompted by the widespread use of code-switching in classrooms, particularly in South African rural and township schools.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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National Research Foundation-rated researcher Dr Nyx Mclean, who specialises in LGBTIAQ+ identities and communities and their use of digital technology to form public and counter-publics to resist the status quo, was recently hosted by the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS).  

Speaking at the event, the Dean of the FBMS, Prof Paul Green, said that although South Africa is working towards a society which is free of discrimination, “We also need to be aware of the privilege afforded to certain members of society whilst members of the LGBTIAQ+ community are often marginalised”.  He said: “We need to ensure that we are respectful of an individual's affirmed gender identity, name and pronouns, as knowing and using a person's correct pronouns fosters a culture of inclusion, makes people feel respected and valued, and thus affirms their gender identity.”

Mclean, a Research Associate at Rhodes University, regularly consults on policies that seek to include gender and sexual identity.  They engaged over 180 staff members and students in an inter-active conversation driven by questions posed from the audience and started the conversation by identifying with their pronouns, being “they” and “them” and invited the audience to share their pronouns.

The former CPUT academic said it’s essential to be comfortable with your identity and provided details of organisations that could assist you. They emphasised that gender is not “clear cut and is fluid”. Mclean further stated that often, cisgender people assume that their gender identity is clear-cut and are not aware that there is gender diversity. Using the incorrect pronoun causes hurt, which could be intentional or a lack of understanding.  Mclean also referred to a social media drive creating awareness about gender expression and the normalisation of pronouns.

They responded to a myriad of questions as to how to address people with the correct gender pronoun. Mclean said: “It is safe enough to ask the person, and you might find it uncomfortable, as in our society we are generally taught to unconsciously or consciously categorise people based on what we have learnt”. They informed me that this is referred to as gender attribution. Mclean also emphasised the importance of the tone being one of kindness when enquiring.

Mclean said their worldview is advocated through an intersectional and inclusive lens and ethical university.  Senior Lecturer and Chairperson of the Transformation Forum in the Faculty, Mandie Richards, said academic institutions, organisations and civil society need to work towards a culture of acceptance and respect, which is inclusive of all people.

“Our worldview may often be influenced by a narrative which is uninformed and intolerant of people who have different viewpoints and who do not fit into a box, and so creates a disruption to the status quo with which we are familiar,” said Richards. 

She stated that the institutions must address policy, and academics must reflect and provide an inclusive curriculum that integrates content that reflects the diversity of students and communities in which they live. 

Human Resource Management Department Lecturer Taryn Kroukamp emphasised the need for people to understand that discrimination happens “all around us”.  Kroukamp said: “The freedom we fought for should include our freedom of expression and gender identity terms.” She stated that respect and inclusivity “are key for us to move forward”.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Many individuals perceive pool as just a recreational game – something one plays at a bar or in the man cave. However, to members of CPUT’s supa-pool teams, it’s more than just leisure. It’s a competitive sport where they can test their skills against opponents from other universities nationwide.

CPUT supa-pool men’s team recently took first place overall in the 2024 USSA National Institutional Supa-Pool Championships. CPUT recently hosted the 2024 USSA Supa-pool Championships at the Western Cape Ultimate Pool Centre, Bellville.

Sport Development Officer, Quinton Summers, who was the chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, said the venue was “a positive new addition to this event”. “Hosting the event off-campus at a community venue meant that USSA supa-pool was exposed to the community more than it would have been.”

There were six participating universities: CPUT, Sefako Makgatho University, the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the University of Limpopo, Rhodes University, and the University of Fort Hare, and each university brought two men’s teams and a female team for the five-day tournament. Summers said: “The competition was exciting, on each day the excitement in the venue could be felt.” The men’s team won the men’s section by beating UWC in the final. Unfortunately, the ladies did not make the knock-out stages but one of CPUT's players, Perseverance Mashilo was the best women’s player of the tournament.

Even though Perseverance did not make it to the knockout stages her scores in the round-robin part of the event were the best. This earned her the award. The CPUT Supa-Pool team Manager, Ricardo Geduld, and Coach, Beauren Simon worked tirelessly behind the scenes to earn the team the success and the respect they deserve at the USSA level.

The overall Women's Individual winner – Shanice Van Vuuren (UWC), made the knockout stages and won the final. Summers clarified that the scores in the knockout stages don't impact the points scored leading up to that stage of the tournament. The UWC was the winner of the women’s section. The Player of the Tournament, (men) was Kevin Martin, meanwhile, the overall team of the tournament was the University of Limpopo.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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