“You are all here because we believe in you, the cream of the crop of Grade 12 learners in Bloemfontein. We acknowledge you, and hope that you will entrust us with your future, and become part of the Kovsie family.” With these words, Nomonde Mbadi, Director of Marketing at the University of the Free State (UFS), welcomed selected guests to a function dedicated to the top achievers at their respective secondary schools.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, highlighted an aspect of the university that is often overlooked.  “It is extremely important that you not only achieve a degree at university … The greater goal of education is to provide a set of values with which you can interact with humankind.”

Showcasing some of the university’s most talented students, Prof Jansen highlighted achievers such as Nozimanga    Bonje, who overcame tragedy, trauma, and hardship to attain her BSc in Genetics and is now studying for her Honours degree; and Tanya Calitz, a newly-graduated (summa cum laude) law student now clerking for Deputy Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke, in the Constitutional Court. Prof Jansen also conducted an interview with Kovsies’ sport star, Wayde van Niekerk, who won gold last year in the 400m at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

Learners were given the opportunity to pose questions to Prof Jansen, and, afterwards, to interact with deans and faculty marketers to obtain relevant information. The Admissions Department also had several workstations set up with staff members on hand to facilitate online applications for those who had already chosen a field of study.