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21 October 2024 | Story Litha Banjatwa | Photo Supplied
Matriculant of the year 2024
This year’s winner, Jayden Leech (centre), deputy head boy and hockey captain at Grey College.

For more than four decades, the University of the Free State (UFS) has used its annual Matriculant of the Year competition to attract the country’s top matriculants. This prestigious award recognises and celebrates the exceptional achievements of South African high school students who excel in academics, sports, culture, and leadership.

This year’s winner, Jayden Leech, deputy head boy and hockey captain at Grey College, stands out not only for his academic average of 90% but also for his sporting achievements. He has represented South Africa in karate and has been a member of the Free State Hockey and Waterpolo teams for the past three years. Jayden has been selected to pursue a medical degree.

The competition is closely aligned with the UFS’s Vision 130, which envisions a future where academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact are prioritised. “By recognising academic success, creativity, resilience, and leadership potential, the university aims to attract the brightest minds to join its community. This competition serves as a platform to identify and nurture future leaders who will help address South Africa's pressing challenges,” says Nomonde Mbadi, Director of Student Recruitment Services.

This year, the competition attracted 60 applicants, with a strong representation of women - 43 women and 17 men. The Free State province led with 28 entries, followed by North West, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng. Popular fields of study among applicants included Medicine (MBChB), Accounting, Engineering, and Law. While the overall academic average of all entries was an impressive 81%, the top 14 finalists achieved an outstanding average of 85%.

Through a series of interviews and group activities, candidates were assessed on their critical thinking, communication skills, and ability to collaborate effectively. The Matriculant of the Year is ultimately selected for their overall balance, leadership potential, and capacity to serve as an ambassador for the UFS.

The Matriculant of the Year competition reflects the UFS’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment, aligned with the university’s values of social justice and sustainability. “By aligning this competition with Vision 130, we reaffirm the UFS’s dedication to transforming lives, creating opportunities, and shaping the next generation of leaders who will drive societal and economic progress,’’ adds Mbadi. 

News Archive

Kovsie Face of Facebook – the search is on
2014-04-07

 
Victor Ngubeni, our first Face of Facebook winner, 2013/2014

Our sensational Kovsie Face of Facebook competition is about to launch into its second year.

This is a golden opportunity for students who want to be a regular in front of the camera. As the winner, you will present videos for our UFS Facebook and YouTube pages.

How to enter
You need to complete an entry form, which you can download from [KovsieLife] or [Blackboard]. You can also pick up an entry form at the reception desk in the Student Life Centre (SRC Building).

Submit your completed entry form at the reception desk mentioned above before 10:00 on Friday 11 April 2014.

Auditions
You will need to tell us in a minute, on video, why you should be our next Face of Facebook. Dress creatively, bring along props or posters and let your personality shine through.

The details for the auditions are:

  • Date: Tuesday 15 April 2014
  • Time: 08:30 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 16:30
  • Place: Bloemfontein Campus, North Block (of the Main Building), ground floor

Voting
The top ten videos will be loaded onto our UFS Facebook page. The public can then vote for their favourite by ‘liking’ the video. Remember, only those who have ‘liked’ the UFS Facebook page will be able to vote.

After voting ends, the person with the most ‘likes’ will be the winner and serve as our 2014/15 Face of Facebook.

Now, get those entries in!

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