Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards winners announced
The winners of the first-ever Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards were revealed during a recent ceremony at the Bellville Campus.
The awards honoured exceptional student leaders and dedicated administrative staff.
Outlining the background to the awards, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, said: “When we recognise the hard work of staff and students, we do more than just celebrating it in a particular moment. We ignite a spark that encourages even greater efforts. And that is also what we want to achieve with this initiative. Recognition serves as a reminder that hard work does not go unnoticed and that every step toward excellence is worth celebrating”.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said it was an incredible honour and a privilege to be part of the ceremony, adding that it “has been long in the making”.
Nhlapo said the CPUT community has diligent staff and students who habitually exceed their job description and go beyond the proverbial extra mile or call of duty.
“As the Vice-Chancellor and principal of this majestic institution, the MIT of Africa, I want all of us to embrace excellence.”
The winners in the staff category were:
First place - Nomalizo Mapasa – Mapasa was described as a beloved person on the Wellington Campus, a mother to many students “who walked many extra miles”.
Second place - David Haarhoff
Third place - Isaac Paul
Fourth place - Selema Molopa and Tumiso Mfisa
The winners in the student category were:
First place - Bulela Limba - Bulela is the chairperson of the Student Christian Organisation. Bulela guides a team that hosts spiritual and community events, creating an inclusive environment for over 100 members. She's also the provincial chairperson of Make a Mark Africa in the Western Cape and directs volunteer teams and coordinates youth empowerment programmes for underprivileged communities. She's also part of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Second place - Athenkosi Sobada – Athenkosi is a member of the Golden Key Honour Society CPUT chapter and has been a teaching assistant at CPUT, mentoring and assisting students with their studies and providing pastoral care. He has also been involved in the Bellville Campus first aid responders team.
Third place- Rorisang Makgana – Amongst other things Rorisang has established tutoring classes on campus, attended by many students. He also launched a YouTube channel, making his tutoring accessible to a broader audience of students facing learning challenges. He is also a Golden Key member.
The recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Quality Awards were also announced during the event.
Dr Siyanda Makaula, Director of the Quality Management Directorate outlined the Excellence in Quality Awards and said: “You can’t define excellence without taking into consideration quality. You can’t define quality without taking into consideration excellence.”
CPUT and Italian Embassy share culinary insights
The Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science recently had the honour of hosting the Italian Embassy to celebrate the 9th edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine during the Consumer Science seminar at Bellville Campus.
This year, the Department embraced the theme: Mediterranean Diet and Cuisine of the Origins: Health and Tradition. The event was a reminder of how deeply culinary heritage is intertwined with social well-being and the traditions that enrich people’s lives. Dean: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof Joseph Kioko, warmly opened the seminar, welcoming a diverse group of esteemed guests. Among them were Prof Luca Tiano, the Scientific Attaché of the Italian Embassy; Prof Cristina Angeloni from the University of Bologna; Alderman Eddie Andrews, the Deputy Mayor of the City of Cape Town; and Consul Giulio Mignacca from the Italian Consulate in Cape Town. The were also representatives from the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Directorate and various departments, including Food Science & Technology (DFST), Agriculture, and the Cape Town Hotel School, who came together to share their insights and collaborate.
The gathering truly highlighted the spirit of connection and support within the academic and local community. Madidimalo Tshikovhi, lecturer in the Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science, said the seminar was a heartfelt celebration of the vital role indigenous diets play in fostering healthier eating habits. It also sought to nurture potential partnerships between CPUT and universities in Italy, opening doors for collaboration and shared learning that can benefit communities.
The presentations for the day highlighted important topics that resonate with many cultures. The presentation by Tshikovhi explored the nutrition transition and the benefits of local, culturally relevant, sustainable diets versus globalised Western dietary patterns, recognising the significance of honouring local food traditions.
Another session by Pauline Koen, Theloshni Govender and Mmabatho Mobo focused on Food and Curriculum Decolonisation, which is crucial in making sure that our education reflects diverse perspectives. The session by Angeloni delved into The Mediterranean Diet: An Ancient Secret to Health and Well-being, celebrating the wisdom of time-tested eating habits.
One of the presentations based on the DFST project led by Dr Anthony Obilana discussed the topic of: Incorporating South African Indigenous Ingredients and Bioactive Compounds into Commonly Consumed Snacks to Enhance Nutritional Value and Promote Local Cuisine, emphasising the value of local ingredients in enriching local meals and communities. Each presentation offered valuable insights into how people can connect with local food in meaningful and healthier ways.
The guests were warmly welcomed to experience a delightful array of flavours from both Italian and South African cuisines. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to savour traditional South African dishes like amasi (fermented cow's milk), umphokoqo (crumbly maize meal), umnqusho ne mbotyi (samp and beans), idombolo (steamed bread), ginger beer, chicken feet, and sorghum. Tshikovhi said it was heartening to see how these foods are lovingly included in everyday snacks, such as incorporating sorghum into biscuits. She said sharing these culinary traditions can create a deeper connection and appreciation for the diverse cultures around people. “The partnership with the Italian Embassy is important to position CPUT’s academic work internationally through writing joint publications, curriculum exchange, and finding synergies not only in food and nutrition research but also in other fields of study which might be identified in the future,” Tshikovhi observed.
The seminar successfully strengthened collaboration among CPUT departments and highlighted impressive work on indigenous foods. It also prompted discussions on how the Mediterranean dietary pattern can complement South African indigenous diets in a locally relevant and sustainable way.
Prof Jessy Van Wyk from DFST said: “The event was massively successful and really fruitful. I also wish to commend [the] entire department on the spirit of “oneness” that I observed, as well as all the various innovative things that you [Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science] do. The Department is well on its way to greatness. I am looking forward to future engagements.”
Angeloni extended her “heartfelt thanks” to the entire Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science for the warm hospitality and for the “remarkable organisation of the event”. “I am delighted to hear that our presentations resonated with the group and sparked interest in future collaborations. I look forward to exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”
Tshikovhi mentioned that the partnership will enhance, recognise, and promote indigenous dietary patterns, allowing the consumer community to confidently enjoy local, culturally relevant, and sustainable diets.
Marketing and Communication Department scoops three national awards
The Marketing and Communication Department (MCD) walked away with three prestigious national accolades during the 2024 Marketing, Advancement, and Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Awards.
The team secured a silver award in Division 1: Campaigns for the "BOK Fridays CPUT" initiative, which ran during the Rugby World Cup. The campaign was the brainchild of Cathy Cloete, who is responsible for events and PR.
In Division 3: Skills, the team earned bronze awards in two categories. The bronze in the category Design for Digital Channels applauded the creativity behind the Shero campaign and was created by Kurt Mitchell.
The second bronze award was in the category Writing for the Web, and recognised an article, Graduate Excels Despite Great Loss, which was written by communication officer, Ilse Fredericks-Kennedij.
Hosted annually, the MACE Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in marketing, advancement, and communication across the higher education sector. These awards acknowledge exceptional campaigns, innovative strategies, and the talents of practitioners who bring their visions to life.
The ceremony marked the end of a successful two-day MACE National Conference, which was hosted by CPUT at the Bellville Campus. Under the theme Maximising Impact: Innovative Strategies for Transformative Higher Education Marketing, Communication, and Advancement, delegates explored cutting-edge practices.
The conference culminated in the glamorous Excellence Awards ceremony and dinner at the scenic Eureka Estate in Durbanville. Themed "Under the African Skies," the event was a celebration of skill, dedication, and excellence in higher education marketing and communication.
Cathy Cloete, who manages Public Relations and Events, said she was “truly honoured to receive this award for the CPUT campaign”. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and collaboration that went into bringing a vision to life. Thank you to my colleagues at CPUT —it’s a win we can all celebrate together!"
Dr Garth Van Gensen, Director: MCD, said the MACE annual national conference is an opportunity for colleagues at public universities and TVET colleges to gather and share best practices. “Very often our issues are uniform, and MACE gives us a chance to gather and learn from one another. This year CPUT scooped three awards and hosted the almost 300 delegates at our Bellville campus. Our organising team did an exceptional job and showed their peers that quality, creativity, and hard work are in the DNA of everything we do at CPUT.”
Raising awareness about human trafficking
Students gained valuable insights into the topic of human trafficking thanks to a partnership between the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences and A21, an organisation which fights human trafficking.
Co-ordinated by Mandie Richards, Senior Lecturer and Transformation Forum Chairperson, and Douglas Dyers, Lecturer and Transformation Forum Representative in the Faculty, the project saw Katie Modrau, A21 South Africa Country Manager, and Chené Fourie, the A21 SA Reach Co-ordinator, sharing information with academics and students.
They interacted with Diversity Management second-year students, co-ordinated by Richards and Advanced Diploma Project Administration students, co-ordinated by Dyers, as students worked on their research projects, which were integrated into the curriculum of their respective subjects.
Richards stated: “False promise and hope are often sold to people, and it is indeed tragic that people are exploited for financial gain, and traffickers take advantage of the vulnerabilities and desperation of people. Even more shocking is that one in every four children are victims of human trafficking.”
Dyers commented: “Human Trafficking is a crime hidden in plain sight, it happens in our communities often, and the responsibility of the Advanced Diploma students is to create awareness as to this shocking crime. The fulltime and part-time students created awareness through activations on campus, as well as in shopping malls and in community spaces”.
“According to national statistics, 30% of people who are trafficked know the traffickers as they are either friends or family members,” said Fourie. She also shared the toll-free number - 0800 222777, which is open 24/7 and 365 days a year, and encouraged students to save the number and to report anything suspicious with regards to the red flags identified in the conversation. She further advised students of the job vetting service offered by A21, should it be required.
Students engaged interactively in the sessions and shared many questions and comments.
Tshepo Ngwane voiced the question many students enquired about: “What signs or indicators should we look for to help identify potential trafficking situations?” Sibabalwe Hlazo commented: “The high unemployment rate and lack of resources is the key contributing factor to human trafficking”, whilst Luzette Tobias, stated: “I never knew that human trafficking was a big thing in South Africa until now. I always thought it just happens overseas”.
Fourie further cautioned students: “Be careful as to your online presence and understand that there are many fake profiles and traffickers online who want to reach and deceive vulnerable people, so do not post any personal information, which can be used to track you and blackmail you.”
Richards stated: “This cohort of second-year and Advanced Diploma students also completed a social media module: What every University Student needs to Know, and accredited by the Digital Law Academy, to prepare them to not only take precautions whilst online, but also to the various online scams in enticing young people seeking employment to various trafficking organisations.”
Students engaged in a silent protest against human trafficking at the Piazza on the District Six campus and created awareness through their digital storytelling videos and displaying their posters, which formed part of the project, in the Commerce Building. Students also joined Richards in the Walk For Freedom, which is an annual day of global awareness organised by A21, as the local action in the fight against human trafficking.
The students indicated that they gained many insights into the topic and that they were unaware of the gravity of Human Trafficking and would be able to share their knowledge in their communities to create further awareness.
Richards further emphasised that the curriculum cannot be taught in silos and that educators have the responsibility to engage young people on the realities of life and encourage them to add their voices to the conversations and share information and empower communities.
Department of Food Science and Technology hosts evening lecture
The South African Association of Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST), in collaboration with the Department of Food Science and Technology (DFST), held its second evening lecture of the year titled: From Ploughs to Pixels: AI in Our Technology Continuum Towards Achieving Food Security.
The event attracted over 40 attendees, including academics, students, and industry professionals. Participants were treated to a tour of the university’s state-of-the-art pilot plant, exploring the chocolate factory and the microbrewery—complete with a bit of beer tasting.
Teaching and Learning Coordinator: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof Muhammad Nakhooda delivered an enlightening talk that journeyed through the history of food technology and examined the role that Artificial Intelligence (AI) currently plays and will increasingly play in ensuring sustainable future food security for the planet and potentially beyond. “Central to the discussion were new protein technologies and how AI is shaping our understanding of these versatile molecules,” said Dr Vusi Mshayisa, an esteemed researcher and lecturer at the Department of Food Science and Technology.
Nakhooda explored de novo, or novel proteins, that can now be created to serve a myriad of uses. Importantly, the talk highlighted how AI has unlocked the mysteries of proteins, opening up a new world of possibilities.
SAAFoST member Mshayisa, emphasised the importance of such engagements, stating that “it is crucial for the DFST to collaborate with industry and students in this fashion to stay abreast of developments”. “The event exemplified the department’s commitment to fostering innovation and maintaining strong connections within the food science community.”
CPUT and partners tackle food insecurity
Many South Africans and beyond fret over food security, migration, and environmental management. As a result, the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) recently held a partner workshop on the project: Co-Producing Knowledge On Sustainable Growth through Service-Learning Pedagogy between African and European HEIs (COPAFEU).
The event, which was held at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre, was part of the EU-funded Erasmus+ grant with nine other universities across Africa and Europe. Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Beatrice Olutoyin Opeolu who co-facilitated the workshop with Dr Ignatius Ticha, Language Coordinator: Faculty of Applied Sciences welcomed the guests, said they have partners in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Greece, and Finland. “At CPUT and the UFS [University of the Free State], we are focused on food security, migration, and environmental management because these are relevant to South Africa.
“We aim to use the project to understand the dynamics among local and migrant food vendors and their practices and facilitate cohesion among them using enhanced service learning (ESL).”
Opeolu said the process involves working with many stakeholders, including the students, as co-creators of knowledge that “we may massify for learning and teaching elsewhere”. She added that other partners are focused on different themes relevant to their countries. “Still, we all agree that entrepreneurial skills are vital to our set outcomes for participating students and communities.”
The successful meeting was engaging as the set outcomes were achieved. As the Country Leader for the COPAFEU Project in South Africa, Opeolu leads the project teams of CPUT and UFS. Amongst the facilitators of the workshop were the representatives from UFS, Hanken University, Finland, and the University of Peloponnese, Greece.
Addressing socioeconomic priorities and challenges
Research is an integral tool in transforming society - it should benefit and change people’s lives. As such, the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate and Centre for Sustainable Oceans recently hosted the CPUT-FEDRATI Research Uptake Seminar.
The event, themed: Enhancing Relevance and Research Impact, was held at Bellville Campus. Addressing the seminar, Dr Mark Botha, Executive Director of the Fisheries Economic Development Research Advisory and Training Institute (FEDRATI), said the strategic partnership between FEDRATI and CPUT was established to foster collaboration between the industry and academia. “The partnership exceeded our expectations,” Botha touted.
About 15 students who received bursaries from FEDRATI under the Centre for Sustainable Oceans delivered their presentations. Manager: Research Uptake: SIP, Dr Nelisiwe Maleka and Associate Professor at Horticultural Sciences Department, Felix Nchu welcomed the guests. Among the guests was Dr Nathalie Viljoen, Head of Research at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, and supervisors of the presenters.
Maleka said as an engaged institution, CPUT is committed to conducting relevant and responsive research with impact to address socioeconomic priorities and challenges. Maleka stated that the seminar was part of Activity 4: Develop and facilitate activities and appropriate systems to promote and support research uptake under the University Capacity Development Grant Project 5 for Staff Development Research.
The purpose of the seminar was three-folded:
- To provide a platform for postgraduate students to showcase their research
- To enhance research uptake from the onset and during the research cycle.
- To encourage emerging researchers to understand the value of research uptake and impact.
Dr Conrad Sparks, Acting CPUT Research Chair: Oceans Economy, said The CPUT partnership with FEDRATI is an excellent example of research engagement with communities. “We have aligned our research activities and bursary allocations to that of FEDRATI. We are planning to engage more closely with communities to share the research done at CPUT and to assist in developing new research projects based on the needs of communities in Cape Town and the Western Cape.”
Sparks said the partnership benefits CPUT by providing students with bursaries and fostering collaboration across disciplines, departments and faculties. The partnership also benefits FEDRATI by providing new knowledge about the fisheries and related sectors in the Western Cape. “We, however, need to be more focused on the scope of research planned for the future by communicating the research to affected stakeholders, particularly coastal communities.”
Addressing the seminar, Botha talked about the importance of interdisciplinary research to address the developmental challenges within the fisheries and allied sectors. He also revealed that FEDRATI provides financial support to CPUT students with the assistance of Brimstone Investment Corporation and Sea Harvest Corporation. “Moreover, we facilitate greater engagement between industry and CPUT.”
Reflecting on the event, Botha said: “The event was well executed. The students articulated their research succinctly. The research presented definitely adds value to the maritime industry. Moreover, valuable networks have been established for future collaboration.”
Also reflecting on the event, Sparks said: “The event was a great success. The aim of the event was to create a platform for students to showcase their research to the industry as well as have a platform to practice public speaking. The feedback received from colleagues and Dr Botha is that we are conducting very high-quality research.”