Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Former Higher Education Resource Services – South Africa (HERS-SA) Director, Brightness Mangolothi, recently joined CPUT as the new Director of the Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change (CDISC).

CPUT’s Vision was a key drawcard for Mangolothi, who stepped into the role in December and brings with her a trove of experience in the field.

“For me, the vision of the university, to be Africa’s leading smart University of Technology globally and renowned for innovation, with graduates who shape a better world for humanity, attracted me,” she stated.

“The fact that the vision and values have a human-centric approach was very appealing, which means that transformation is the university’s strategic intent. Importantly that the institutional transformation framework expands beyond redress, which is normally limited to student and staff diversity issues, to recognising that redress is incomplete when the mandate of the university, which is teaching and learning (decolonisation of the curriculum, language, and being responsive to the needs of Africans) research and engagement are divorced from the transformation objectives - further, tapping into digital transformation and strategic partnerships, which are also key to driving the realisation of the institutional vision.”

Asked what will be top of her agenda, Mangolothi said while she understands the transformation interventions needed for universities as she has worked with all 26 universities in her erstwhile role, she is always hesitant to prescribe what needs to be done before engaging with the university stakeholders and understanding the systems in place.

“It would be a disservice to assume solutions without first understanding the unique context of CPUT – context is key for any intervention. At the core of my work and my team at the CDISC is to contribute to creating and sustaining a psychologically safe space for all - where all will feel valued, seen and heard and a strategy to sustainable change that is driven beyond compliance.”

“The institutional transformation framework is the blueprint of what needs to be done. The university is celebrating 20 years. It will be great to look back and say: where are we as a centre/institution - using a transformative lens? What have we achieved? What still needs to be done and what interventions need to be in place to realise the vision and to be a sustainable institution?”

“This requires spaces to be created to have authentic and intentional institutional conversations. It’s about listening to the voices of all university stakeholders. What needs to be done to create safe spaces for all? We need to understand whether we are embracing oneness as CPUT, which is critical as transformation is anchored in “ONE SMART CPUT”

Her first month in office has been mainly dedicated to meet and greets with stakeholders and meeting with her team “listening to their aspirations and concerns”. These conversations form a key part of the baseline assessment.

Asked to share her views on diversity equity, inclusion, belonging (DEIB), she said: “When we talk about diversity in South Africa, the focus has mainly been on race.

“For me, diversity it about representation of all social identities, which includes race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, age, language, and more. Diversity creates a “pot of gold” that allows different experiences, beliefs, and values to enable the creation of inclusive solutions/innovation – leaving no one behind. Representation needs to be viewed with an intersectional lens, which elucidates those different social identities that lead to different experiences (privileges and oppressions)”.

She continued: “Equity is about fairness. Fairness is appreciating that we are starting from different points, thus treating unequal people equally means reproducing the inequalities. Inclusion is making diversity work by valuing and supporting all, and belonging is enabling a space that is welcoming to everyone”.

Mangolothi firmly believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are a cornerstone to attaining the vision and the mission of the institution.

“I believe this office should create transformation systems to enable the realisation of the transformation goals and further, contribute to an environment that values staff and students, irrespective of colour, sexual orientation, ability, age or neurodiverse abilities.

She hails from humble beginnings in Soweto

“Issues of social justice were instilled at home, in how we were raised. We were taught to speak up, not just when an injustice is done to you but when done to others and to also share, as my mother would say, “Bana ba motho ba kgaogana tlhogwana ya tsie (the spirit of sharing irrespective of the size of what you have)”. I attended school at Morris Isaacson High School, the place where the 1976 riots started in Soweto, Gauteng.

“The school was not just a learning space; we were also empowered to understand that we can thrive irrespective of our race. We witnessed the recording of Sarafina, which tells the story of the impact of apartheid. We had teachers who instilled fighting for our rights and the power of acquiring knowledge and how it can emancipate us. Varsity life injustice motivated me to be an academic, in fact to be that lecturer I wished I’d had. Working for corporate I experienced racism and opted to go back to university to further my studies, which landed me an academic position.”

She has cultivated an exceptional career working for both public and private universities, non-profit organisations and corporate. Mangolothi is a former Head of Department at Nelson Mandela University and Head of Programme at IIE, ADvTECH. She is The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) – South African Chapter Treasurer General, previously served as a Public Relations Institute in Southern Africa Board Member and National Workers Union (NEHAWU) Nelson Mandela University Branch Chairperson. In 2023 she co-co-edited a book titled, Women’s Empowerment for a Sustainable Future: Transcultural and Positive Psychology Perspectives. 2023. In 2020, Mangolothi earned the esteemed title of the University of Georgia Fellow for the African Civic Engagement Academy Program and was recognised as a 2015 Standard Bank Rising Star Finalist. The International Association for Business Communicators (IABC) also acknowledged her significant contributions to the communication field.

Outside of work, she enjoys being in nature, travel, and learning about different cultures.

“I love to go on game drives and to watch the sun set and rise. It makes me think that if the sun can rise, I can also rise again. It’s a new beginning, a new hope. People don’t believe me but I’m an introvert, I think the confusion comes from seeing me in action, as when I take the microphone, I own it and speak where there is injustice I do speak up.”

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.”

Staff members and students who passed away in 2023 and 2024 were remembered and honoured during a moving ceremony held at the Dome of Remembrance.

The ceremony saw the CPUT community coming together to reflect on the contributions made by their late colleagues and students, celebrate their lives, and share in the collective memory of the impact they had on the lives they touched.

Candles were lit in honour of their memory.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Operations, Prof Gilingwe Mayende, welcomed the attendees and said: “We are here today because we deem it necessary to not forget.”

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said their legacy would continue to live on.

“We gather here to celebrate their lives and dedication to learning, teaching and service. They left an indelible mark on our university community. Our departed colleagues answered the call of duty with unwavering dedication and unalloyed commitment. As we remember their life and service, let us not mourn in sorrow but celebrate the legacy they leave behind.”

He said the CPUT community’s thoughts and prayers were with the bereaved families.

Nhlapo and Dr Laurine Platzky, chairperson of the CPUT Council, read the list of Immortalisation and a wreath was laid inside the dome.

The names of the departed colleagues and students were digitally displayed inside the dome.

Messages of condolences were shared by Platzky on behalf of the council, SRC secretary general Thato Masonganye and labour representative Johnny Basson.

In her closing remarks, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, said she was touched to see how the CPUT community had come together to honour the lives of staff and students who have passed.

“I've seen a community today woven together by shared experiences, challenges, hardships and for me each name edged in this digital Dome of Remembrance, with the names there, they all tell a unique story – a life that has touched the hearts of many and a legacy that will hopefully continue to inspire us.”

Hours after racing down and apprehending a robber, a CPUT security guard then went on to run one of the fastest marathon times of anyone else at the university.

Siyabonga Madala was hours away from an uneventful night shift ending when the Campus Security Office at the District Six campus flagged a potential robbery in action at a nearby residence.

As part of the institutional Rapid Response unit, Madala and his colleagues were quickly dispatched to the scene.

When they spotted the burglars, Madala took chase as the robbers sprinted off.

“I knew which one I was targeting so I went after him,” he says.

Unfortunately for the robber, Madala is a regular podium finisher at road races and is a well-trained athlete so catching him was no problem.

“I chased him till he went into a shack. He pretended to be sleeping inside but I knew who he was. I waited for my colleagues to join me before we went in and brought him out,” says Madala.

The man was arrested, and Madala’s shift finally ended at 6am. That left him only a few hours to recuperate and get to the start line of the Cape Town Marathon.

Despite having an ITB injury the 38-year-old ran a blistering 3 hour and 12 min marathon wearing his CPUT Club colours.

“It wasn’t ideal to go racing a day before the marathon but I always do what I need to at work. The marathon wasn’t my easiest because I have that existing injury, but I was happy with my result,” he says.

Earlier this year, Madala’s colleagues at the Art and Design Building raised funds to enable him to travel to Durban to participate in the Comrades Marathon. He is hoping to attend the event again in 2025.

Benjamin de Waal has always had a passion for serving the community and this passion shines through in his role as CPUT’s Vaccination Manager.

A junior lecturer at the Cape Town Hotel School has been named one of Microsoft’s Innovative Educator Experts 2021-2022.