A R40 000 bursary donation to six Architecture students will not only have an immediate financial impact but also has long term transformation ambitions.

The South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) made the donation and encouraged the Architectural Technology Department to distribute the funds as they saw fit.

Acting Head of the Architectural Technology and Interior Design Department Nikki Jinka says staff debated the most applicable way to split the money and in the end decided to divide it into two R10 000 and four R5 000 awards.

In order to be considered students wrote motivation letters describing their experience of being disadvantaged and were also assessed on their academic performance and financial need.

First year student Marileen Lamprecht, 23, scooped one of the coveted R10 000 prizes after explaining how she changed universities and courses then job shadowed for a year in a boutique Architectural firm near her home, all in her pursuit of being an architect one day.

Jinka says the ongoing transformation agenda of SACAP was the main consideration when assessing the students.

“It is critical that the industry reflects not only more architects of colour but also that more  females are brought on board,” he says.

The other winning students are Lusenathi Ntsabo; Nyiko Makhubela; Siphiwe Mabaso, Raabeah Floris and Jasmine Zwane. 

Written by Lauren Kansley

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

A hardworking Architectural Technology student has been selected as one of the recipients of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) Student Bursary.

Second-year student Viyanka Luckrajh always enjoyed art and drawing while she was at school and said Architectural Technology allows her to channel her creativity and artistic talents into design and technology, which can be applied in the discipline of architecture.

She applied for the SACAP bursary programme via an online application.

“This included a motivation of why I felt I am a suitable candidate for this bursary. This process guided me to think of my career aspirations and how it aligns with the mission of SACAP. A few weeks after I submitted my application, I received a notice of a successful outcome from Mr Mzwakhe Hlatswayo, the Manager of Education and Accreditation at SACAP,” she said.

SACAP regulates the architectural profession by setting up standards for registration, education and training, professional skills, conduct, performance and ethics. SACAP also keeps a register of candidates and professionals who meet the standards; approves programmes at higher institutions of learning which persons must complete to register; and takes action when professionals on their register do not meet the standards.

Viyanka, who hails from Durban and attended Kloof High School, said she was absolutely thrilled when she heard she had received the bursary.

“Not only does the bursary assist me with my tuition fees, but I also have had the privilege of being affiliated with SACAP as one of their bursary holders.”

She recently attended the awards ceremony at the SACAP Head Office in Johannesburg.

“This was an inspiring event where I was able to meet fellow students as well as professional members of SACAP. I was especially encouraged by the speech of the Vice-President of SACAP, Ms Letsabisa Shongwe, who encouraged us to keep moving ahead with our studies.”

SACAP extended its congratulations to all the recipients and wished them success with their studies.

Rayner Moodley, Head of the Architectural Technology and Interior Design Department, congratulated Viyanka on receiving the esteemed SACAP Student Bursary.

“Further, we appreciate SACAP's investment in students' futures and unwavering support for their educational journey.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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