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23 October 2023 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo Supplied
The finalists in the 2023 Matriculant of the Year competition

In a culmination of academic prowess, leadership, sportsmanship, cultural achievements, and community engagement, the University of the Free State (UFS), Matriculant of the Year competition for 2023 has declared Michael de Bruyn, the head boy of Futurum Akademie in Tadcaster near Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape, as the 42nd winner. This prestigious event, in collaboration with Netwerk24 and Volksblad, witnessed the participation of 66 outstanding matriculants from eight provinces.

The journey to success for these matriculants was not only a test of academic acumen but a comprehensive evaluation of their leadership skills, involvement in sports and cultural activities, and commitment to community projects. The top 25 entrants were honoured with bursaries from the UFS, a testament to the institution's dedication to nurturing talent and fostering academic excellence.

The stakes were raised even higher for the top 14 finalists, who gathered at the Monte Bello Estate near Bloemfontein for the final judging. This phase involved personal interviews and group sessions, challenging the finalists to showcase not only their intellectual capabilities but also their interpersonal skills and collaborative spirit.

Sponsors and Supporters

Despite the economic challenges, the Matriculant of the Year competition has continued to thrive, thanks to the unwavering support of its sponsors. The final round judges, representing the Kovsie Alumni Trust, Absa, Mazars (official auditors), and Pick n Pay Preller Walk, played a crucial role in determining the ultimate winner.

In addition to the overall winner, the Kovsie Alumni Trust went above and beyond by sponsoring two special prizes for exceptional achievements in culture and sports. Ilke de Klerk of Goudveld-Hoërskool in Welkom received the sports accolade for her outstanding accomplishments in athletics and netball. Recognising cultural excellence, two accomplished pianists, Karli Janeke from St Dunstan’s College in Benoni and Elizabeth Joubert from C & N Meisieskool Oranje in Bloemfontein, were honoured for their exceptional contributions.

Culture and Sports Recognised

The spirit of the competition extends beyond academic and extracurricular achievements, acknowledging the vibrant personalities that contribute to a well-rounded community. Renienke van Heerden from Jim Fouché High School in Bloemfontein was voted as the sparkling personality, showcasing that the matriculants of 2023 are not only accomplished in their fields but also possess a captivating and engaging presence.

As the 42nd winner of the Matriculant of the Year competition, Michael de Bruyn stands as a beacon of inspiration for future generations and symbolises the UFS's commitment to recognising and nurturing excellence in all its forms. The competition serves not only as a celebration of academic achievement but also as a platform for the holistic development of young minds, moulding them into leaders, athletes, artists, and compassionate community members.

Nomonde Mbadi, Director at the Department of Student Recruitment Services, extends her congratulations to the finalists of the Matriculant of the Year 2023 competition. “I commend the learners for their outstanding achievements, and I do acknowledge the potential they carry for the future. May their accomplishments serve as inspiration for many others to pursue excellence and contribute positively to the world.”

News Archive

ANC is not a party of the people - Mbeki
2010-08-30

 

 

“The unions in this country do not understand the political economy of South Africa. They think that the ANC is the party of the people. The ANC is the party of the black middle class. The fact that the masses vote for it does not mean they control it. The policies of the ANC favour the black middle class and the established businesses. They do not favour the working class.”

This was said by renowned economic and political commentator Mr Moeletsi Mbeki, brother of former president Thabo Mbeki, during a guest lecture he recently presented to Economics students of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein.

“You just have to look at the types of houses that the ANC government builds for ordinary South Africans,” he said.

“If you had a party that was a pro-working class party it would not have built these so-called RDP houses that are being built by the ANC government. The unions have all along been under the illusion that the ANC is the government of the working class and (Zwelinzima) Vavi and them are now beginning to realise that this is not the case.

“The public-sector workers are in a special dilemma. They think the ANC is their ally but at the same time they feel they are not getting any benefits out of this alliance. Therefore you are beginning to get a very acrimonious environment emerging between the public-sector unions and the government.”

Regarding the current issue of the Protection of Information Bill and the proposed media tribunal that have brought the media and the government onto a collision course, Mbeki said the ANC government was trying to muzzle the media because it wanted to safeguard corruption within government.

“The question of freedom of information is very closely linked to the rise in corruption in the government,” he said.

“What the politicians are doing is that they are trying to hide that corruption. The media in this country have been playing a very critical role in exposing cases of corruption. That is why Vavi now has bodyguards.”

He said he recently met Vavi, the General Secretary of Cosatu, surrounded by four bodyguards. He said Vavi told him that he was getting death threats because he was opposing corruption in government.

Mbeki said the economic policies of South Africa were the “worst in the world” because they benefited people who were already rich and militated against the emergence of entrepreneurs.

“In fact, one of the serious downsides of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is that it takes people who should normally be entrepreneurs and who should be creating new companies and new jobs, out of that space and just makes them wealthy. BEE has been a disaster because it created this massive economic inequality; it created this class of idle rich who have tons of money but do nothing,” he added.

He said the under-investment in the economy was having dire consequences in terms of unemployment and poverty. He said this, coupled with the growth of consumption that Black Nationalism was driving, was actually driving down the ability of the economy to absorb labour.

“What really lies at the bottom of our economic problems in South Africa is that we have too much of a one-party dominance of our political system. We need more competition in our political system and until we realise the policies of the ANC are not going to change,” he said.

Mbeki’s guest lecture was on the topic: Architects of Poverty: Why African capitalism needs changing.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison 
Tel:   051 401 2828
Cell:  078 460 3320
E-mail:  radebemt@ufs.ac.za  
30 August 2010

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