When Lefa Rabase matriculated from the Diphetoho Secondary School in Bothaville in the Free State, he was – like many matriculants – unsure about what to study. He initially applied to study education, following a familiar pattern, as many
others in his neighbourhood were pursuing studies in education.
On Friday 21 April 2023, Rabase graduated with a BSc degree in
Forensic Sciences, and is currently enrolled for an honours in Forensic Sciences. However, his journey at the University of the Free State (UFS) started when one of ‘his guardian angels’, Noeline Basson, a former
employer of his father, and Elfrieda van den Berg, Marketing Manager in the
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences,
made it possible for him to not only get into the UFS but to also reach this momentous milestone.
“They were like my parents, if I can put it that way,” Rabase said. Basson and Van den Berg have been by my side from the first year. “They are still part of my life, and I would like to thank them for that.” Rabase admits
that his journey to graduation was not easy but says that by working hard and believing in yourself, every student can navigate the complex life of being a university student.