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UFS shines light on bright matriculant stars

18 February 2020 | Story Nomonde Mbadi | Photo Charl Devenish

Star of Stars Gala evening — Attending the Star of Stars gala dinner, were from the left: Mar'c Scholtz, Chairperson of the Star of Stars competition; Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor; Kamohelo Mphuthi, Star of Stars 2019/2020 winner; MEC for Treasury in the Free State, Mrs Gadija Brown; and Nomonde Mbadi, Director: Student Recruitment Services

An evening among the stars, celebrating some of the Free State’s brightest learners. This was the backdrop for the annual University of the Free State (UFS) Star of Stars competition gala dinner held on 1 February. The event, hosted by the Department of Student Recruitment Services, recognises Grade 12 learners from quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools in the province, especially those from rural communities.

In its fourth year of existence, the Star of Stars competition rewards learners for academic performance, leadership achievement, and community involvement. The top-ten entries are selected through an adjudication process, with the winner verified by external evaluators.

Recognising top matriculants in the Free State

Recognised for his achievements in the 2019 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, Kamohelo Mphuthi, a former learner from Leifo-Iziko Combined School in Reitz, walked away with the Star of Stars 2019/2020 title. Kamohelo is currently enrolled at Kovsies for a BSc degree majoring in Actuarial Science. In his acceptance speech, the Karee Residence student said, “In everything that you do, strive for nothing but perfection. I hope to be a leader who is an academic, who is affable and approachable, and a leader who inspires those who came before me as well as the future winners”.

A new category was introduced for the first time – Sparkling Personality. The finalists chose the one star that lit the room, was friendly with everyone, with a sparkling personality. The winner was Bianca Mafukama from Tsebo Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba.

Nomonde Mbadi, Director: Student Recruitment Services, said entries for the 2019/2020 competition were of an exceptionally high standard. “Five learners from the top-ten group were part of the provincial top-hundred learners in the past NSC examination.”

Improving the lives of those living in rural communities

She said the competition is a unique recruitment initiative driven by the Department of Student Recruitment Services and supported by the Centre for Teaching and Learning, Kovsie Counselling, Student Affairs, and Mr Joe Serekoane from the Faculty of the Humanities, to guide and support learners through career counselling, mentorship, and adapting to campus life.

Addressing the audience at the gala dinner, Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, encouraged the top-ten finalists to pursue their dreams with a relentless courage and an aspiration to succeed. Also in attendance, was the MEC for Treasury in the Free State, Mrs Gadija Brown, who complimented the University of the Free State as a partner in improving the lives of those living in rural communities.

All the finalists received bursaries from the Kovsie Alumni Trust and the University of the Free State, as well as gifts from the Fidelity Foundation, Bloempapier, and the Bloemfontein Business Chamber. Hill Mchardy and Herbst Attorneys awarded internships to two finalists enrolled for the LLB programme. To add dazzle and sparkle, Bridal Co and Euro Suit sponsored each finalist with formal attire.

Kamohelo Mphuthi, Winner of the Star of Stars competition

News Archive

Top matriculants for Kovsies

2014-01-24

From left are: Saneliswe Khambule, Lungile Mkhungo, Jannie de Wet, Anje Venter, Siqiniseko Buthelezi and Abrille Beukes.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

Hailing from top schools in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Naushad Mayat, Lungile Mkhungo and Siqiniseko Buthelezi share 20 distinctions between them. Leaving the province of the Zulu Kingdom for Bloemfontein, all three are at Kovsies to study as doctors.

Naushad obtained eight distinctions, an achievement that placed him in the top ten matriculants in KwaZulu-Natal. The former learner from Glenwood High School in Durban came fourth in the Umlazi District and tenth overall in the province. Enrolling for a degree in Medicine, he will join the list of outstanding health professionals Kovsies produce every year.

Lungile, who matriculated from Kingsway High School, attained seven distinctions and her average percentage was 90%. She received distinctions in English – 90%, IsiZulu – 94%, Mathematics – 83%, History – 92%, Physics – 89%, Life Sciences – 89% and Life Orientation – 93%. Lungile is not only clever, but also performed well in sports at her school, participating in netball, soccer and athletics. This future doctor is a proud resident of Wag-'n-Bietjie residence.

Siqiniseko made history at his school, Maritzburg College, becoming the first black Head Prefect at the 150-year-old school, the oldest boys' high school in KZN and one of the oldest schools in South Africa. A gifted learner excelling in sport, culture and academics, Siqiniseko obtained five distinctions (English, Afrikaans, Life Orientation, Accounting and Life Sciences). His sporting prowess has seen him captaining Maritzburg College's first rugby team, as well as the KZN Academy team.

The three are joined by fellow KwaZulu-Natal resident, Saneliswe Khambule, Namibian Abrille Beukes and Free Staters Anje Venter and Jannie de Wet.

Saneliswe, a former learner of Menzi High School in Umlazi, received five distinctions in her final-year exams. The Emily Hobhouse resident registered for a Forensic Science degree and plans on doing her doctoral studies in this exciting career field.

Abrille Beukes is another future doctor and is all the way from Windhoek in Namibia. Abrille obtained a ‘one’ in all her subjects, the highest possible mark in the Namibian school system. The Windhoek-born student received high levels in Mathematics, Accounting, Physical Science, Biology, Afrikaans and English. As second best student in her home country, she will register for a Medicine degree.

Anja, the Free State’s top achiever, received an average percentage of 93% in the matric final exams. The former Eunice student obtained nine distinctions, an achievement that placed her in the national top 100 matriculants. Anja enrolled for a BSc Actuarial Science degree and will be joined in class by former school friend, Jannie de Wet, who obtained a whopping ten distinctions. Jannie and Anja attended Universitas Primary School together, with Jannie finishing his school career at Jim Fouché High School, and just like Anja, he will also enrol for a BSc Actuarial Science degree.

Jannie obtained distinctions in Afrikaans, English, Mathematics, Mathematics (third paper), Life Orientation, Accounting, Physical Science, Life Science, Economics and Information Technology. Jannie is also the Volksblad and the University of the Free State’s 2013 Matriculant of the Year.

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