South African higher education institutions must produce graduates of whom they can be proud of, said Sibusiso Chalufu, the recently appointed Head of Student Affairs.

Chalufu, who previously held the position of Head of Student Development at the University of Pretoria, said developing CPUT students and ensuring that they impact positively on their communities is just one of the many challenges he will be taking up.

“There is a need for change in students’ mindsets. We need to show them that there is life beyond bashes,” he said.

Chalufu, who holds two Masters Degrees in Education, said he is not opposed to students having fun, but feels that they have a vital role to play in the development of the CPUT student and broader community.

One of the first programmes which Chalufu will focus on involves the development of the Student Representative Council (SRC).

Chalufu said currently the SRC is driving political agendas and not focusing on the needs of the student community.

He said SRCs at tertiary institutions are in place to “serve students” and address their needs.

“The SRC must add value to the student community. Servant leadership needs to be inculcated in them,” he said.

Chalufu said the SRC must be involved in programmes such as fund raising for needy students or promote programmes that will add value to students’ lives.

“If we want the SRC to be involved in such programmes, then we need to train them,” he said.

With the majority of students not participating in student governance, issues relating to student apathy will also be addressed.

“Students don’t have a sense of a SRC that is there for them. The SRC must develop a programme of action. They need to go out and ask students what they want and how the SRC can serve them,” he said.

Chalufu also wants to ensure that Student Affairs becomes the centre of all student activities at CPUT.

“I want to endeavor to involve all students in student governance, culture and sport. If we can achieve this, then we would have achieved a lot,” said Mr Chalufu

Other programmes include training and development of Student Development Officers and the implementation of regular meetings with the student population.

By Candes Keating

Photo: Sibusiso Chalufu, the recently appointed Head of Student Affairs.

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT is gratified that new students are enrolling with the University and hope that their studies here will be prosperous and good-natured.

New CPUT students and their parents or guardians are invited to celebrate the beginning of the students’ astonishing and awe-inspiring new mission with the University when it hosts the Welcoming Days across its main campuses. It is an unequivocal time in their lives and the Welcome Day will enable the students to a well-mannered understanding of their new home.

The first welcoming event will start on Tuesday, 28 January 2020, at 10 am on the Wellington Campus where students will get an opportunity to meet the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Nhlapo, the executive management team, as well as the Student Representative Council.

On Wednesday, 29 January 2020, the Vice-chancellor will be welcoming students on the District Six Campus and close it off on the Bellville Campus on Thursday. These events will be accompanied by various activities linked to the orientation programmes that are planned for each campus to start on Monday, 27 January. Amongst the activities is the provision of information about registration, course structures, timetables, assessment policy, subject choice form discussion, roles of class representatives, informal meetings with mentors and campus tours. 

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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At the age of 17, Anne-lie Lombard raised just over R10 000 and used the funds to purchase a meal for 1 200 students at her high school.

Her goal was simple. It was to show her fellow classmates that someone cared about them.

Several years later, this CPUT student’s passion to help others and to make an impact in her community has earned her an Abe Bailey Travel Bursary, a coveted scholarship that will see 18 of South Africa’s young leaders embark on an educational and cultural tour of Britain.

The bursary was established in terms of the will of the late Abe Bailey, who was a mining magnate and politician in South Africa, and is awarded annually to outstanding students and academics (under the age of 25) that have shown exceptional leadership qualities at their universities and within their communities.

Anne-lie, who is the Chairperson of the Wellington Campus Student Representative Council (SRC), says she never imagined that her application would be a success.

“As part of the application I had to attend an interview and it was very intense. They asked questions on how I felt about various issues. I had no idea what the outcome would be,” she says.

In her final year of her teaching qualification, Anne-lie says she is looking forward to spending three weeks with other young leaders, as well as the opportunity to learn from them.

Leadership is Anne-lie’s passion, and over the past few years she has held numerous leadership positions at CPUT and in her community has participated in and driven several community projects, from reading awareness campaigns to mentor initiatives.

“There is nothing more fulfilling than identifying a need and then taking initiative to provide, care and unite. This has been the main reason that I challenged myself to be a leader: to support students, change wrong mindsets and perspectives, and to help other students and leaders to achieve their full potential.”

CONGRATULATIONS: Members of the CPUT Executive Management team congratulate Anne-lie on her achievement

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.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) is the voice of the more than 33 000 students enrolled at CPUT.

The SRC is responsible for student governance and represents the CPUT student body on the various decision-making structures at the university by a Central SRC (CSRC) and four Local SRCs, which are based on the Bellville, Cape Town, Mowbray and Wellington Campuses.

Central SRC president Mbongiseni Mbatha says they are also responsible for assisting students in every aspect of their career development.

Some of the activities lined up for this year include an academic summit which will take place on each of the main campuses as well as a finance indaba with local businesses.

Mbongiseni says the SRC also creates opportunities for students to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular programmes such as socials, health campaigns, debates and sports. One such initiative aimed at first-years is a tour of the province.

Mbongiseni encourages first-years to visit the SRC offices at their campus and to interact with the various members.

Students can visit the Local SRC offices in the Student Centers at the Bellville, Cape Town and Mowbray campuses or at their office on the Wellington Campus.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The Student Representative Council (SRC) is responsible for student governance at the institution.

It represents the student body on a number of university bodies, such as the university Council and serves as a channel of formal communication between the student community and structures of the university.

The SRC is composed of the Central SRC (CSRC) and five Local SRCs, which are based on the Bellville, Cape Town, Mowbray, Athlone and Wellington campuses.

The following students have been elected as chairpersons on the various campuses:

Central SRC President:

Phathindwe Mncamase

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Bellville:

Romaric Belmier Mbakop

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Cape Town:

Ayakha Magxothwa

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Mowbray:

Faith Sibiya

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Athlone:

Thobela Fani

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Wellington:

Tracy Wagenaar

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Students can visit the local SRC offices on their campuses. For contact details for individual members of the central and local SRCs, please visit: http://www.cput.ac.za/student/quick-links/src/src-members.

The SRC is guided by a Constitution which can be accessed at http://www.cput.ac.za/student/quick-links/src

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Teamwork between the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Representative Council (SRC) culminated to the first ever Institutional Student Parliament (ISP) at CPUT.

The milestone launch of the CPUT Institutional Student Parliament, under the theme: Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Student Governance. was recently held at Bellville Campus. The establishment of ISP reaffirms the University's position on inculcating and institutionalising an ethos of transparency, fairness and accountability in both student governance and institutional governance.

Njabulo Maphumulo, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, said it’s important to note that the ISP was not a body that will replace the SRC and its work, nor is it a creation of an extension of the SRC, “as it has its sole mandate that is to instil and preserve the principles of sound governance, accountability, transparency and efficient service delivery for the benefit and betterment of the greater CPUT community”.

“The objective of the ISP is to promote good governance, responsible citizenship, and ethical leadership at all levels. This milestone initiative demonstrates the University’s commitment to co-governance and interest in leadership development.” The ISP composition consists of the Central and Local Student Representative Council Members, delegates from the political, religious social and civil structures, delegates from the international student and differently abled communities and academic faculty representatives. The interim membership of the parliament amounts to 40 delegates among them, the executives such as the speaker, deputy speaker, secretary and campuses conveners.

Speaking at the launch, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said: “After years of hard work, grit and sheer determination, our dream came true. A dream that has been unnecessarily deferred or perhaps for far too long... We are brave, curious determined to overcome the odds… It can be done. Nhlapo added that the student parliament will hold the SRC accountable and transparent. “[It serves as an advisory body to the SRC on policy matters, propel CPUT to majestic heights of knowledge vanguard, consciousness, and brotherhood/sisterhood.

“[ISP] keeps the SRC and its substructures accountable, transparent and rooted in the principles and values enshrined in the SRC constitution.”

In his keynote Address: Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Student Governance, Chairperson, Student Services Committee of Council and Council Member, Dr William Mapena, said the aim of the university accountability process should be to guarantee universities maintain the principles and ethical practices that protect the university population. He said the University students' involvement in student governance is an essential prerequisite for constructing a contemporary higher education community and undoubtedly, students play a crucial role in governance as participants. “To maintain their reputation and trustworthiness, student leaders are expected to act responsibly, transparently, and with integrity in the eyes of their constituency. The qualities of student leadership should include vision, respect for the law, transparent management, ethical values, and a sense of social responsibility.”

SRC president, Sinelizwi Notshikila, said the ISP will provide a structured platform for student representatives from different student formations, societies, and various faculties to come together raise and address concerns, shape ways forward and advocate for students interests effectively. “It signifies commitment to democratic principles within our university. The ISP will encourage the active participation in governance, fostering a sense of responsibility and ownership among students towards their academic and social environment.”

The interim selection process consists of the election of delegates by various affiliated student societies and SRC substructures.

The swearing-in of MPs and election of the executive is scheduled for 17 May 2024, which will be followed by a series of training and capacity development sessions in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. The interim parliament will be focusing on the foundations of student parliament establishment through the development of rules, regulations and policies governing the body. The ordinary seating will alternate between Chambers of the CPUT Council, City of Cape Town Council and Provincial Legislature.

Maphumulo said: “The launch of the ISP concept was a massive success and significant to our efforts towards ethical leadership, good governance and responsible citizenship.” The launch was attended by the previous SRC presidents with their messages of support. “The student parliament project has long been on the agenda of the University, and this was confirmed through their messages of support as they pledged their support,” said Maphumulo.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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