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Lebakeng soars: Allan Gray nominee and beacon of achievement

18 October 2024 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) celebrates Lebakeng Mokhele, a remarkable student nominated for the prestigious Allan Gray Student Achievers programme. This recognition highlights Mokhele’s exceptional academic journey, fuelled by dedication and a commitment to making a difference.

Mokhele is a beneficiary of the Centre for Global Change, exemplifying the positive impact of the centre.

Triumph over adversity

Despite facing significant challenges during his first year, Mokhele persevered and achieved remarkable success. Starting his academic journey on foot and enduring seven months without electricity, he demonstrated exceptional discipline and dedication to his studies.

Using a candle for light, Mokhele diligently pursued his academic goals, ultimately earning the prestigious title of Best First-Year in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics. His achievement was even more impressive considering the obstacles he overcame. Mokhele's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of maintaining focus in the face of adversity.

Mokhele’s story is one of perseverance. Growing up, he wanted to become a medical doctor. He credits his mother as his unwavering pillar of support. Additionally, he acknowledges Dr Amon Magwiro and Annemarie van Noordwyk for their guidance and mentorship.

A Well-Rounded Achiever

Currently pursuing an Honours in Business Management, Mokhele has a list of impressive accomplishments:

Top achiever awards across various departments
Best academic performer among all students in 2019
Golden Key International Honour Society member
Best performer in the Department of Business Management in 2020

Ambitious Goals and Aspiring Vision

He aspires to earn a PhD in Business Management while simultaneously establishing a thriving mixed farming enterprise. The Allan Gray programme offers him an opportunity to network and gain exposure to the financial industry – a developing passion sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leadership and Community Focus

His dedication extends beyond academics. He is actively involved in extracurricular activities, including organising community soccer tournaments. He demonstrates strong leadership through his roles as:

President of Enactus UFS
Treasurer of Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development in Maluti-a-Phofung
His farming venture currently employs workers and plans for expansion are underway. Through his ‘bucks n bucks’ consultancy, he assists aspiring entrepreneurs.

Sharing his Wisdom

Mokhele emphasises the importance of applying knowledge and seeking information. He encourages fellow students:

Focus on discipline: It is the key to overcoming challenges.
Find your ‘why’: Drive yourself with a clear purpose.
Never give up: Success is possible even when facing setbacks.

Gratitude and Acknowledgement

Lebakeng expresses his deepest gratitude to his family, lecturers, the Centre for Global Change (including Prof Otomo and his team), and everyone who have supported him.

A Final Note

For those interested in learning more about Mokhele’s business venture, visit his website: www.bucksnbucks.co.za

News Archive

Early nutrition impacts on burden of disease

2017-11-15

Prof Corinna Walsh during her inaugural lecture on ‘Nutrition in Transition’.
Photo: Stephen Collett

“The first 1 000 days, from conception to two years, is a critical time to ensure that the early environment is optimal to guarantee the best outcomes,” Prof Corinna Walsh, Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Free State (UFS), said. She delivered her inaugural lecture on Nutrition in Transition on 30 October 2017.

During her lecture, Prof Walsh explained how an unfavourable early environment impacts on the health and well-being of both children and adults. She gave an overview of the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity in the Free State, and described the shift that has occurred from healthier traditional diets to more unhealthy Western diets accompanied by sedentary lifestyles. These patterns are closely linked to the triple burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micro-nutrient malnutrition, and obesity. Finally, Prof Walsh highlighted the double burden of disease, focusing on chronic lifestyle diseases on the one hand, and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB on the other hand.

“Preparing for this lecture has given me the opportunity to reflect on the almost thirty years of my research journey, a process that I thoroughly enjoyed,” said Prof Walsh.

“It was a privilege to share the work of my research team with fellow colleagues as well as with family and friends,” she said. Prof Walsh is a National Research Foundation C-rated researcher and also served on the Board of the Medical Research Council from 2005 to 2010.

Foundations for health, growth established early
The first 1 000-day window focuses on the time between conception and the second birthday. “This is a critical period for growth and development,” Prof Walsh said. It is a unique period, as the foundations for health, growth, and neuro-development are established. It also focused on the implications of malnutrition, which is the biggest risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease.

Research identifies burden of disease
Her research has made a considerable contribution to identifying the burden of disease in the Free State. “It focuses on both malnutrition and infectious diseases such as HIV and TB on the one hand, and chronic lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension on the other,” she said. The research team have also implemented a number of interventions to address these challenges, including programmes that have assessed the impact of nutrition-education programmes, household food gardens, and nutrition supplementation.

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