For more than four decades, the University of the Free State (UFS) Matriculant of the Year competition has been opening doors for exceptional young South Africans, recognising outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, sport, and culture. 

Established 44 years ago by the UFS in collaboration with the then Volksblad newspaper, the competition continues to thrive with the support of Netwerk24/Volksblad as its media sponsor. 

This year’s top honour went to Kiara Subramanian, Deputy Head Girl of Eunice High School in Bloemfontein. Kiara expressed her gratitude for receiving the award in the same year that her school celebrates its 150th anniversary. 

“We congratulate Kiara Subramanian on being named Matriculant of the Year at a glittering event attended by University of the Free State faculty representatives, parents, and the principals of the 14 finalists. As a flagship initiative of Student Recruitment Services (SRS), the competition spotlights outstanding learners from the schools we serve,” says Nomonde Mbadi, Director: Student Recruitment Services. 

“This year’s finalists represent six provinces and have applied to pursue a wide range of degree programmes at the UFS. For SRS, the competition forms a vital talent pipeline - connecting exceptional learners to a student-centred, research-led university that is proudly engaged with its region and country.”

Among this year’s finalists, Marné Koen, Head Girl of Brandwag High School in Uitenhage (Kariega), was recognised for her achievements in athletics, netball, cross-country, and tennis. Burgert van Heerden, Deputy Head Boy of Marlow Agricultural School in Cradock, received the Sparkling Personality award. Both were honoured with prizes from the Kovsie Alumni Trust.

The competition is made possible through the support of its sponsors - the UFS, Kovsie Alumni Trust, Absa, Forvis Mazars, and Pick n Pay Preller Walk - who provide prizes and bursaries for all finalists. Representatives of Forvis Mazars, the official auditors, were present throughout the judging process to ensure fairness and transparency. 

This year, a total of 62 entries were received – 48 from girls and 14 from boys - representing eight of South Africa’s nine provinces (with Mpumalanga being the only province not represented). The top 14 finalists hailed from six provinces: Free State (7), Eastern Cape (3), North West (1), Gauteng (1), Northern Cape (1), and Western Cape (1). 

Most entrants aspire to study medicine next year (35), followed by accounting (8) and other fields such as education, occupational therapy, information technology, physiotherapy, and law. On average, entrants achieved an impressive 82%, while the top 14 finalists averaged an outstanding 87%.