Mowbray Campus opens new artificial multipurpose pitch
The Mowbray Campus community came together to celebrate a landmark occasion with the grand opening of its brand new artificial multipurpose pitch.
To mark the occasion, the third-year Human Movement students, under the guidance of Dr George Joubert, Lecturer: Human Movement, successfully hosted an exhilarating 5-a-side soccer tournament. The event, forming a key component of the students’ Sports Management module, delivered an afternoon of intense competition, community spirit, and high-energy sporting action.
The four-hour tournament saw teams from across the Mowbray Campus battle it out for the top spot on the newly inaugurated pitch. Designed to enhance sporting opportunities for students and faculty alike, the state-of-the-art facility will continue to serve as a hub for physical activity, training, and inter-campus tournaments for years to come.
Joubert, who oversaw the event, expressed enthusiasm for both the facility’s potential and the hands-on learning experience for the third-year students. “This event was not only a celebration of our new pitch but also a crucial learning opportunity for our Human Movement students. Organising and managing a live tournament allowed them to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing them for future roles in sports management and event coordination,” he said.
The tournament was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Red Bull, Burger King, and Synergy, whose support underscored their commitment to youth sports and campus development. Joubert said their involvement ensured that participants and spectators alike enjoyed a high-energy event, complete with refreshments, entertainment, and exciting prizes for the top-performing teams.
With competition heating up and excitement running high, students and staff came out in full support. He said the tournament was an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators, “marking the beginning of a new era for sports at Mowbray Campus”.
CPUT leads the way in Early Childhood Education
The Faculty of Education recently marked a significant milestone when it became the first higher education institution in the Western Cape to offer the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education.
The new qualification is being offered at the Mowbray Campus and the first cohort of 20 students began their studies in February 2025.
The part-time qualification combines online teaching and in-person teaching (on Saturdays).
Dr Naseema Shaik, Head of Department: Foundation Phase Teaching, said the qualification, provides students with the opportunity to transition into the Degree in Early Childhood Education, which is offered at other institutions. This transition ensures a seamless educational pathway, ultimately contributing to the growth of scholarly work in a field that has long been underrepresented in academia.
She said the early years of a child’s life are critical to their development, laying the foundation for their future.
“To ensure this, strong educational foundations are essential. Historically, however, the professional landscape for early childhood education educators working with children from birth to four years of age has been significantly marginalised. Early childhood education educators were often regarded as mere caregivers or babysitters, engaging children in playful activities without a clear understanding of their critical role in a child’s holistic development.
“In recent years, however, significant strides have been made to rectify this situation and elevate the status of early childhood education (ECE). A landmark initiative in 2017, led by the Department of Higher Education in collaboration with the European Union, sought to accelerate the professionalisation of the sector. Through strategic funding, higher education institutions were encouraged to develop both qualifications and research projects focused on early childhood care and education.”
She said one of the notable outcomes of this initiative was the development of the Draft Policy on Minimum Requirements for Programmes Leading to Qualifications in Higher Education in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth–Four) for Educators and Practitioners. This policy was designed to formalise and standardise the qualifications for early childhood educators, highlighting potential professional pathways within the sector.
Shaik led a groundbreaking national research project that resulted in the development of a transformative pedagogy with the publication of journal articles and a scholarly book titled ‘Towards a transformative pedagogy in early childhood care and education’ and the introduction of the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education. Both projects were pivotal in furthering the professionalisation of the sector.
In addition to academic learning, students enrolled for the new diploma also benefit from hands-on experience in early childhood centres, as part of the work-integrated learning component of the curriculum. These practical experiences are critical for bridging the gap between theory and practice, and for reinforcing the importance of quality education in early childhood settings.
Shaik explained that the academic rigor, scope, and assessment criteria of the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Level 6) being offered at CPUT, differ significantly from those found in qualifications offered at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. While the TVET Educare qualification is a Level 5 learnership diploma, the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education at CPUT is classified at Level 6. This distinction in qualification levels highlights a difference in both academic depth and complexity between the two programmes.
The academic structure of the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education at CPUT is designed to provide a comprehensive educational experience, combining a strong theoretical foundation, a robust teaching component, and an emphasis on research. This structure ensures that graduates are not only equipped with practical skills but also with the theoretical and research competencies necessary to contribute meaningfully to the field of early childhood education. The inclusion of research as a core component further distinguishes the CPUT diploma, positioning it as a more academically advanced qualification compared to the TVET offering.
CPUT is also making impressive strides by conceptualising an early childhood centre that will serve both as a learning and research site. This centre will not only support students in their professional development but will also contribute to the broader research agenda surrounding early childhood education.
“The progress being made in the early childhood education sector, particularly at institutions like CPUT, signals a significant shift in how early childhood educators are viewed and valued in South Africa. As more institutions adopt these progressive policies and programmes, the potential for meaningful change in the quality of early childhood education across the country is immense,” said Shaik.
Stoepstories by CPUT and Breytenbach Kultuursentrum
As the Faculty of Education prepares for the Culture Walk on 12 March, Prof Anna Dippenaar, Assistant Dean shares the Faculty’s commitment to deepening the relationship between CPUT and the Breytenbach Kultuursentrum in Wellington.
This partnership gained momentum following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Prof Andile Mji, the Faculty Dean, and Louis Duvenage, Chairperson of the Breytenbach Kultuursentrum. The centre’s presence in Wellington not only creates valuable employment opportunities but also generates revenue that can be reinvested back into the community. By nurturing art and culture, they can uplift Wellington’s reputation as a vibrant hub of creativity and artistic expression.
Dippenaar expressed her belief that this MOU represents a significant commitment from both parties to work hand in hand. Together, they aim to initiate meaningful projects and facilitate discussions on vital topics such as education, leadership, and the cultural landscape, in which they are particularly focused on:
- Developing programmes that tackle pressing issues like climate change and unemployment.
- Exploring the shared use of sports training facilities, lecture halls, and venues to enrich the lives of everyone in the Wellington community.
This MOU will remain in effect until December 30, 2029, with the possibility of renewal, as the two parties strive to build a stronger bond with the Wellington community. Dippenaar says the CPUT holds a special place within this community and is dedicated to nurturing that connection. “We will plan projects together, enhance student interaction and more innovation…I am very excited as this is the next step to closer collaboration and creating opportunities for students to interact on different platforms outside the CPUT context. This is part of our strive to improve our relationship and collaboration with the Wellington community at large,” enthuses Dippenaar.
Duvenage, too, emphasises the importance of the cultural environment, noting that it allows for a range of projects that can truly benefit both CPUT students and the wider Wellington community. He expressed excitement about the possibilities that arise from collaborating with the talented lecturers of CPUT's Art Department—together, they can generate innovative ideas that are both contemporary and attainable. This partnership is not just about ideas; it’s about creating opportunities that resonate with the two parties’ shared values and aspirations.
“It is not only a privilege but also an opportunity for the Breytenbach Kultuursentrum to work alongside CPUT Wellington. The first collaboration is called ‘Stoepstories’ to take place late afternoon on Wednesday 12 March 2025. A walkabout will occur between the campus of CPUT Wellington, the Andrew Murray Centre of Spirituality and the Breytenbach Kultuursentrum. Everyone is welcome to come and listen to storytelling and music on this route,” Duvenage remarks.
The Culture Walk will follow an exciting Sports Day event, taking place from 9 AM to 3 PM. This highly anticipated event is being organised by enthusiastic fourth-year Human Movement Studies students and their dedicated lecturers. All teams from the three faculties, as well as Hugenote College, will come together and showcase their skills!
The action-packed event will be filled with a variety of exhilarating sports, including netball, 5-a-side soccer, a fun run, 7s contact rugby, and a spirited sack race relay between classes.
Culture Walk Event is a Wellington Campus interdisciplinary event across faculties and community· The event includes:
- Storytelling event in the library.
- Cultural group performances with music in the student activity area in front of the cafeteria from 16:00 to 20:00.
For more information contact Dr Kobie Meiring: [email protected] or Sandra Swanepoel: [email protected]
