The Young Women Empowerment Programme, an initiative of the Division of Student Affairs, championed by the HIV/ Aids Unit hosted a webinar on the 4th of August with guest speaker Siba Mtongana, a CPUT Alumni and international awardwinning culinary chef, this was the second Young Women Empowerment webinar and yet another successful one.
The Webinar took place on the zoom platform where Siba Mtongana was interviewed by the HIV/AIDS Unit Public Relations Intern Siphelele Maseko. The webinar covered topics such as gender-based violence, education, leadership, the importance of being independent at a very young age, and empowering women.
Mtongana shared her views on the big monster, which is gender-based violence. In her speech she spoke about how important it is to raise children in a way that respects all humanities because it is sometimes hard to change a person who has the idea that women need to be in their places. In her words she shared that the government needs to fight the pandemic that is gender-based violence the same way they fought the Covid-19 pandemic.
One of our students shared on the webinar, what a humble and sweet the great culinary chef Siba Mtongana is, and that the advice she was sharing was truly helpful as they could all relate very well to her and were all familiar with the struggles she had encountered as a student at the university.
Join us for an interactive & empowering webinar with International multi-award winning culinary, extraordinaire, author & entrepreneur & CPUT Alumnus
Date Thursday 04 August 2022
Time 18h30 until 20h00
Email masekos@cput.ac.za
Venue via Zoom
stand
STUDENT COMMENTS ON THE WEBINAR
Zovuyo Zoe- zor’vuo: The webinar was enjoyable and informative, even time flew, and I wish we had more time. Siba is an inspiration and have a heart beautiful in and out. What I like was that the one thing she emphasizes is that when you’re working and studying want must be important to you should be education first the rest is extras.
Zandile Mlombo: I love Siba and I am so inspired by what she was saying, and I could listen to her the whole day. As I have learnt a lot from her, and she is a true definition of black child it’s possible. She has opened my eyes on how I could use what I have to achieve something instead of worrying about what I don’t have. Knowing where you come from and where you want to be is really important and the way she shined the light on that was amazing.
Ortem Callaghan: A fantastic experience with Siba, she truly motivated and inspired us with healthy eating tips and cost-effective ways of surviving at Res while trying to excel and keep academics as our focus. I’m also so happy to see fellow students taking leadership and hosting such an event alongside Siba. Would be so honored to meet her in person she has such a wonderful spirit and I love that she is a mum before everything else, truly inspiring!!!!
Petronella Msiza: A true definition of a humble blessed soul. Not only does she embody what humanity is, she has this vibrant vibe about her that is just so beautiful to watch. I am truly blessed by this beautiful lady. She is such an inspiration. The fact that she is able to manage her time so well between her loved ones and her passion, as well as still be able to do all that she does is just amazing. And I am taking her words “go out there, see the world, visit countries and come back home to conquer”.
MESSAGE
FROM THE HOD
Dear Students
Once again it is an absolute pleasure for me to congratulate you for working diligently during 2022 and stepping into 2023 with the objective to succeed in every area of your lives.
Always remember to enjoy student life responsibly and to obtain your qualifications within the required time. Imagine the day you
the picture are the
winners Nonhlanhla
(Acting Deputy Dean of Student Affairs) and Melanie
and winners Mumsy Mahlangu, Lonwabo Mkhetho.
The Division of Student Affairs hosted their
2022 ANNUAL PEER EDUCATION AWARDS CEREMONY
BY SIPHELELE MASEKO
The CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit held its annual Peer Education Award ceremony on the 30th of September 2022, the first face to face ceremony after the Covid-19 pandemic and it was a huge success.
The ceremony was held at the Granger Bay Hotel School, hosted by the Unit’s interns Siphelele Maseko and Nthabiseng Maake.
The purpose of the event was to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the 2022 Peer
Educators throughout the year. They have given themselves entirely by ensuring that each campus and campus residence had new condoms, students were aware of what was going on in the Unit, discussions on crucial topics that students faced. They showcased their leadership skills by actively promoting the CPUT Vooma Vaccination Drive earlier in the year. These incredible young minds were celebrated through a state of the art Classic and Vintage theme event titled “Celebrating a Vintage Heart, with a Vintage Mind”.
In
award winners Abishel Mathonsi, Nompilo Noluthando Sjozi Bhengu with Andile Xolo (Central SRC),
Madolo, Kgahlego Patience Sekgobela, with Mr Sammy Ellie
Swanson (Head of HIV/AIDS Unit)
The Peer Educators were awarded with a certificate of completion and qualified for different categories such as Covid warrior of the year, Social media influencer of the year, Role model of the year, Junior peer of the year, Senior peer educator of the year, Campus leader of the year, Peer mentor of the year, Condom distributor of the year, Most discussion of the year, Change agent of the year, and Campus of the year with monetary prizes awarded to the 1st , 2nd and 3rd place prizes according to their work recorded through a monthly log sheet.
Professor Henriette Hay-Swemmer was present at the event sharing a message of support to the Peer Educators to encourage the work they do and to keep doing great work and be great mentors to others.
Andile Xolo, represented Central SRC and had this to say about the event:
“I wish that the HIV/AIDS Unit will continue recruiting peer educators to join the program and I hope that all students come and participate in the program. All in all, the HIV/AIDS Unit is doing a great job and I enjoyed myself”.
Here’s what some of the winners had to say:
“The experience I got in this program; it will forever stay with me. It has inspired and motivated me to want to do more and seeing my fellow peer eds getting awards/certificates for what they have done during the year. That sparked my interest to be more active in everything I want to achieve”
“I enjoyed those team building games we had in our refreshers training and the discussion we had that day. Also, this program has helped me to gain my confidence back”. -Zandee
“The ceremony was amazing and congratulations to all who won and those that are motivated to do better next year. For as long as we support each other the world is a better place”
“My gratitude goes to the HIV/AIDS unit and their sponsors. Office bearers and peer educators on the ground.”
“We are CPUT and once a peer educator, always a peer educator”. -Ab Manthonsi
Everyone came out looking gorgeous and stunning and they truly enjoyed themselves, indeed, it was a spectacular event as the awards winner had nothing but great things to say and the guest left thrilled. We wish to thank the management of CPUT, Higher Health and Fundani Centre for their generous support of our programs.
END OF YEAR STAKEHOLDER MEETING
on the 13th of December 2022 at Granger Bay Hotel School (CPUT)
BY SIPHELELE MASEKO
CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit held a lunch meeting on the 13th of December 2022 CPUT Cape Town Hotel School.
The CPUT Department of Student Affairs was represented at the meeting by representatives from its various divisions, including HIV/AIDS Unit, Student Counselling and the Campus Health Clinic, as well as representatives from its partners, such as Norsa, Anova, Wits RHI, Nacosa, Rape Crisis, Marie Stopes, and the Department of Health.
The Stakeholders meeting had the dual goals of celebrating and reflecting on stakeholder partnerships both old and new. Each stakeholder was given an opportunity to give an overview of the services offered to CPUT and discussed their plan of action for the coming year (2023).
The significance of providing CPUT students with access to HAART, health care and mental health services was emphasized heavily. The foundation for communication has been laid, so the NGO organizations now only need to decide how they will link their services to support CPUT students.
“On behalf of the Department of Health, I would like to thank Cape Peninsula University of Technology for our ongoing collaboration. I am truly looking forward to developing our relationship”.
Our core value is to provide quality health services to the community, and to the students. Like my director, who used to emphasize that the youth is one of our most vulnerable groups and that we truly want to support them. We want to make sure that access to HAART, family planning, STI treatment, reproductive health care, pregnancy termination, and access to all the treatments they need, as well as mental health services, is improved (Yolanda Cottee 2022).
BY NTHABISENG MAAKE
On the 15th of October 2022 the unit opened the applications for students who were interested in becoming peer educators to apply, and as always many student applications came pouring from across all CPUT campuses indicating the great interest students have in becoming beacons of great work within their peers. It has been years since the CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit worked with the Peer Education programme and it has been a great success since.
CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit opens applications for 2023 Peer Education programme 2023 PEER EDUCATION APPLICATION
The programme has been a credible source of help in empowering students to help themselves and their peers by providing means of transferring knowledge. Students have nothing but great words on how helpful it has been working with peer educators as they are reachable and always willing to help.
This programme has shaped students not only
Send your CV and a brief letter of motivation telling us about yourself and why should we select you to: ndabenin@cput.ac.za and HIVunit@cput.ac.za Are you currently a 1st or 2nd year registered CPUT student? Are you wanting to make a difference? ... then you are who we’re looking for.
APPLY NOW! Volunteer as a CPUT HIV/Aids Peer Educator in 2023 & earn yourself a certificate of appreciation BE NOBLE AND SOCIALLY
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE 15 OCTOBER 2022 *
in one way but many ways, including prepare them for their future careers by instilling values that they
will forever use in their line of work, as the saying goes “Once a Peer Educator. Always a Peer Educator.
Mahatma Gandhi
In support of the 16 Days of Activism, the CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit celebrated the day by dressing up black and rocking the Red Ribbon.
The International 16 Days of Activism campaign focuses on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact that violence and abuse have on women and children, and the social fabric of our society. The Unit took to Social Media to share educational content on the issues faced by women and children as part of the movement against the abuse of women and children.
CPUT Division
of
Student Affairs
WORLD AIDS DAY
World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the HIV pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease.
In honour of the day CPUT Hiv/Aids Unit, hosted a Free Health Testing Campaign from the 28th of November till 1 December 2022. The goal was to raise much needed awareness about HIV/AIDS.
The Wellness Mobile Van was set to visit all CPUT campuses according to the below dates:
District 6 and Mowbray Campus: 28th November 2022
Granger Bay: 29th November 2022
Wellington: 30th November 2022
Bellville Campus: 1 December 2022
Staff members and students came to show their support this World Aids Day by getting tested and encouraging others to do the same.
IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS
As the HIV/AIDS Unit, we are committed to ensuring that our readers know where to seek help when needing assistance with daily life challenges. Below is a list of important contact details.
HIV/AIDS UNIT
Cape Town +27 21 460 4252/3
Bellville +27 21 959 2868
Wellington +27 21 864 5268
DISABILITY UNIT
Bellville +27 21 959 6964
Cape Town +27 21 460 9071
disabilityunit@cput. ac.za
www.cput.ac.za/hivaids
National AIDS Helpline 0800 012 322
Lifeline 011 725 2001
SANCA
South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Depedence 086 17 2622
Rape Crisis
021 447 1467
SADAG
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group 0800 567 567
CAMPUS CLINIC
Cape Town +27 21 460 3405
Administration Building, Level 2, Room 2.900
Bellville +27 21 959 6403
New Library Extension, Ground floor
YOUR HIV/AIDS UNIT
STUDENT COUNSELLING
Cape Town +27 21 460 3237 oliveran@cput.ac.za
Bellville +27 21 959 6182
We are here to ensure that students and staff members make informed decisions on their holistic health care and lifestyle. We are committed to providing a safe learning and working environment to protect you from becoming infected with HIV, STI & TB while studying at CPUT.
Melanie Swanson Head of Unit
+27 21 460 4252 MaraisMe@cput.ac.za
Rene Williams Administrator williamsr@cput.ac.za
Makhonza Boyce Mobile Wellness Unit Driver BoyceM@cput.ac.za
Lusanda Naki Counsellor mangelel@cput.ac.za
Sr Mathapelo Gabaake Registered Nurse gabaakem@cput.ac.za
