The CPUT Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) offers free HIV counselling and testing to all its students and staff.  HIV counselling and testing have helped millions of people to know their HIV status. Those testing HIV positive learn more about long term treatment and care. Getting to know your status is the right thing to do. HIV counselling can also be accessed via campus clinics, the Mobile Wellness Unit, and during the First Things First HIV testing campaigns.

First Things First HIV testing campaign dates

Look out for our free HIV testing campaigns on your campus and get tested. It's the right thing to do.

The Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) provide regular access to routine HIV counseling and testing to all its students and staff through its Mobile Wellness Unit and awareness campaigns. Students may also visit the campus clinics for HIV counseling and testing.

What health screening services do you offer to us as students?

We screen students for HIV, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis. We also do blood pressure and blood sugar screening.

What happens if I test HIV positive?

 Should you test HIV positive, you will be given a referral letter to your nearest Campus Clinic or to a clinic of your choice. 

Will you tell anyone about my HIV status?

 Your privacy is always protected. All information is handled strictly confidential and no personal information will be divulged to anyone.

If I am on antiretroviral treatment, where can I go when my treatment is almost finished?

As soon as you are registered as a student at CPUT, make an appointment with Campus Health who will you to obtain your medication. It is important not to run out of treatment to prevent the HIV virus from developing resistance against the treatment.

I am living with HIV and would like to join a support group?

You may join an online support group through emailing us to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Where are you based if I want to come and see you?

The Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) is based at the District Six Campus on the second floor in the Administrative building opposite the Admissions Office. We are also right next to Van Schaik at the Bellville Campus. For all the other campuses, you will see us regularly through the Wellness Mobile Services visiting the smaller campuses. Remember Campus Health also provide HIV and other health screening services on campus.

You can email the Head of Department, Melanie Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any other questions.

For more information, follow the link to  Higher Health:

Do you have any other support contact numbers if I am not comfortable to speak to someone on campus?

Yes we do:

• National AIDS Helpline - 0800 012 322
• National HIV HCW Hotline - 0800 212 506
• Community Health Centre (Bellville) Kasselsvlei Road, Bellville - 021 951 2326

To help spread the word about HIV/ AIDS prevention and control, the Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) appoints student volunteers as peer educators. The Peer education program comprises the following portfolios:

• Awareness campaigns
• Condom distribution
• Community outreach
• Campus and residence group discussions
• Self-initiative projects

What is this program about?

Along with other divisions in Student Affairs, we aim at developing young responsible and well-groomed graduates and future leaders. One of the ways we do this is through the Peer Education training program, a one-year training program where students volunteer to be trained to educate their peers on many issues that affect them throughout their years as a student. They also learn facilitation skills, ability to do public speaking and knowledge of basic health-related matters and non-discrimination against those affected by HIV, STIs, TB, mental health, substance abuse and gender-based violence. Peer educators are trained to disseminate information to their peers in such a way that their peers will further share the information. We educate peer educators to guard against sharing fake and incorrect information that may be harmful to their peers.

Is this part of my course?

No, this is not part of your course. It has the potential however to help you enrich your own experiences and add to your CV when you leave CPUT to pursue a career after graduation.

I heard this is a voluntary program (you don’t get paid). What type of rewards can one expect if you join?

Many! We want our peer educators to be easily identifiable so you will receive a branded T-shirt after a four-day training in the beginning. We don’t want you to freeze in the winter so we will warm you up with a hoodie. During the year, during your free time, you will be able to attend invaluable training session such as Social media & ethics, leadership and personal development, gender-based violence and health awareness and many more. At the end of the year, we host the Peer Education Award ceremony where each student who participated receive a certificate for successfully completing the training. You also stand a chance to win one or more of the following award categories with awesome prices:

• Junior Peer Educator of the Year
• Senior Peer Educator of the Year
• Role Model of the Year
• Change Agent of the Year
• Mentor of the Year (Senior Peer Educators)
• Condom distributor of the Year
• Best Performing Campus of the Year
• Campus leader of the Year
• Social Media Influencer of the Year

What can I expect after joining the program?

What else will be expected from me and will it interfere in my study time at CPUT?

As part of the program, you learn to balance your time, a very important skill to acquire. Your participation in various activities and programs and how you want to participate is completely up to you. Remember your reason for being here is to study and obtain a qualification. That is important to us.

Can I join in my first year if I am interested?

Starting a new journey as a first year student is not easy. We want you to settle in, in your first year and from your second year you are welcome to join the Peer Education Family. Nothing stops you from participating in all our activities on campus and residences in the evenings.

How do I become a Peer Educator?

Click on the link to read more: https://www.cput.ac.za/students/life/hiv/peer-education-toolkit-with-resources

How do I get hold of the Peer Education team?

You can contact Nonhlanhla Ndabeni at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to hear more about how you can get involved.

Check the links below to see some awesome videos our peer educators made:

Can you tell me more about the Young Women Empowerment Program and what you are trying to achieve for us as young women on campus?

Since 2017 we started a program that specifically aimed at empowering young women in terms of leadership and personal development, entrepreneurship, reproductive health and self-acceptance. You can follow us on our social media Facebook page: Western Cape Young Women Leading the Change to see more of our activities.

We host regular discussions on issues that affect us as women and how we can grow as strong independent women. We want you to lead the change in your communities through healthy and wise role modeling.

To join the EmpowHer program, follow the link or scan:

GBV & Young Women in Higher Education

Feel free to read up more about this program:

Check out our Facebook page:

The CPUT Amajitas Men’s Program is a transformative initiative aimed at promoting positive masculinity, personal growth, and responsible citizenship among male students at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Through dialogue, mentorship, and empowerment activities, the program encourages male students to reflect on their roles as men, foster respect, and contribute to safer, healthier campus communities. Initiatives such as health, wellness and leadership development is at the forefront of this program.

What are the benefits?

• Personal & Leadership development
• Mentorship opportunities
• Skills development

Who may join?

Any student registered at CPUT may join the program. This program is open to staff to join as well and be trained as mentors.

To join the Amajita’s Men’s program, follow the link or scan:

Gender-based Violence (GBV). South Africa has the highest rate of gender-based violence in the world. According to the Medical Research Council, one woman is killed by her intimate partner every eight hours. In the last two years, the Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) actively participated in creating awareness about this social ill.

In partnership with departments and divisions within the institution and Student Affairs, we used platforms such as the Purple Ribbon Campaign, Black Monday Campaign, the Silent Protest Campaign, the launch of the Amajita’s Men’s Program, and the Men’s Pledge, to create awareness.

We also inform students where survivors of GBV can seek support. The institution takes gender-based violence very seriously.

Remember to report any form of GBV to your nearest campus protection services or call 0609800286 or the Higher Health 24-hour toll-free number 0800363636.

Follow the links below to read more about these campaigns:

Certain faculties approach the Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) to conduct workshops as part of their curriculum. After attending the workshops, students write an assessment where they receive a certificate of attendance.

The link below is a book that was developed as part of curriculum integration. The Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) also integrated COVID-19 pandemic within the workshops.

The Student Engagement, Development & Training Unit (SEDTU) create opportunity for students to apply for internships where they gain invaluable work experience. This include the courses Office Management Technology, Business Management and Public Relations. Where possible, we also provide internships to external candidates. Students are exposed to work ethics, general administrative duties, receptions, handling of incoming calls, project management, marketing and communications and training opportunities during their internships period.