For more than four decades, the University of the Free State (UFS) Matriculant of the Year competition has recognised South Africa’s most promising young achievers – learners whose excellence extends beyond academics to leadership, service, and character. The 2026 welcoming function, hosted by the Kovsie Alumni Trust, once again affirmed the competition’s role in shaping future leaders.

A winner rooted in excellence and sisterhood

This year’s Matriculant of the Year winner was Kiara Subramanian, a former Eunice High School learner, whose academic performance, humility, and grounded outlook distinguished her among a highly competitive group of finalists. Subramanian will be studying Medicine at the University of the Free State, a dream she describes as the natural continuation of a school journey that shaped her academically and personally.

Reflecting on her years at Eunice, Subramanian spoke warmly of the environment that supported her growth: “It was an amazing experience. I grew up with the school, with the people there, and there’s no culture and sisterhood anywhere else like Eunice.”

She described her matric year as deeply fulfilling, both academically and socially. “My matric experience was nothing short of perfect. I made so many meaningful connections through this competition, and academically everything went well too; it was an incredible year,” she said.

While she acknowledged the pressures of managing the workload and the challenges of the final examinations, Subramanian said these moments were part of the learning journey. Her advice to younger learners is calm and reflective, “Take things as they come. Put God at the centre of everything you do, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Take it one step at a time and always give 100%.”

A journey of discipline and resilience

Also recognised at the event was Inge van Staden, another Eunice High School alumna, whose journey exemplifies the balance between academic excellence and sporting achievement. Van Staden achieved an exceptional 93% matric average with seven distinctions and has also begun her medical studies at the UFS.

Describing her school journey, Van Staden credits consistency and structure for her success. “Remaining disciplined and committed over time taught me that consistency matters far more than last-minute effort,” she said. Balancing academics with high-performance sport required careful planning, resilience, and sacrifice, but also contributed significantly to her personal growth.

Receiving her matric results was an emotional moment. “Seeing years of hard work reflected in my results was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me that patience and persistence truly pay off,” she said. Looking ahead, Van Staden hopes to practise medicine with empathy and integrity, emphasising the importance of compassion alongside clinical excellence.

Walking together with purpose

Welcoming guests, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Hester C. Klopper reflected on the university’s long-standing commitment to the Matriculant of the Year competition and the values it represents. She reminded students that excellence is never achieved in isolation, but is built through the support of families, educators, and communities.

“At the University of the Free State, we value not only academic excellence, but also character, contribution, and commitment to something greater than yourselves,” she said, encouraging students to lift others up as they rise and to walk together with purpose.

Central to her address was the UFS vision of creating responsible sustainable futures. Prof Klopper urged students to approach their studies and future careers with a strong sense of social responsibility, noting that graduates are not only called to succeed, but to contribute meaningfully to society.

Looking ahead

This year’s competition attracted 62 entries from eight provinces, with the top 14 finalists representing six provinces and achieving an average of 87%. Supported by partners including the UFS, Kovsie Alumni Trust, Absa, Forvis Mazars, and Pick n Pay Preller Walk, the competition continues to serve as a vital talent pipeline for the university.