Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Vincent Mahapa takes home the Dux Award

20 September 2024 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Ian Van Straaten

Vincent Mahapa 2024 — The Campus Principal, Prof Prince Ngobeni and the Dux award Winner Vincent Mahapa.

The University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus recently celebrated academic and holistic excellence at its annual Student Excellence Awards. The event honoured high-achieving students from various disciplines, as well as those who have made significant contributions to the campus community.

The air was electric with anticipation as the campus community gathered to honour its brightest stars. The annual Student Excellence Awards showcased the exceptional talents and achievements of students across academic and extracurricular realms. This event took place in the iconic Mandela Hall.

Vincent Mahapa, a dedicated 21-year-old from Bronkhorstspruit east of Pretoria, was recognised for his exceptional academic achievements by being awarded the prestigious Dux prize at the event.

Mahapa is on the verge of completing his Bachelor of Administration and Management degree in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) and has consistently demonstrated academic excellence. In his second year, he achieved an impressive average of 82%, securing a remarkable seven distinctions in 2023. These outstanding results were further acknowledged through his induction into the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society, Class of 2023.

Driven by a passion for public administration and management, Mahapa has a strong interest in black empowerment, organisational leadership, and community development. He aspires to leverage his skills and knowledge to drive positive change within these fields.

Overcoming challenges, achieving success

Mahapa's journey to academic excellence was not without its hurdles. He openly acknowledges the challenges he has faced in effectively managing time, balancing academic and personal life, staying motivated, and overcoming social anxiety. However, his determination to succeed shone through as he strategically tackled these obstacles.

Commenting on this laudable recognition, he said, “By creating a well-balanced schedule, setting realistic goals, and seeking support from peers and lecturers, I developed effective coping mechanisms.” He emphasised the importance of creating a study plan and adhering to it, along with techniques such as breaking down complex topics into manageable sections and employing the Pomodoro technique to optimise study sessions.

Words of wisdom for fellow students

As a Dux awardee, Mahapa offered valuable advice to his fellow students who aspire for academic excellence. He encourages them to:

seek help and support when needed;
remain consistent and persistent in their efforts;
set clear goals and work diligently towards achieving them;
develop strong organisational skills and manage time effectively; and
surround themselves with positive influences that will motivate and support their endeavours.
Finding balance for academic and personal well-being

Being an introverted individual, Mahapa acknowledges the importance of striking a healthy balance between academic commitments and personal life. He achieves this by meticulously planning his schedule, allocating specific time slots for studying, relaxation, and personal activities. Setting realistic goals and further prioritising tasks allows him to manage his time effectively.

Additionally, he stresses the importance of creating a designated study space that is comfortable, organised, and minimises distractions, thus boosting productivity. Distinguishing the importance of self-care, Mahapa highlights activities that bring him joy and relaxation. He does not hesitate to seek support from loved ones and lecturers when needed, and regularly reviews and adjusts his approach to ensure a healthy balance that meets his individual needs.

The university congratulates him on this well-deserved achievement and commends him for his commitment to using his knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on society.

And a big congratulations to all the winners. Indeed, we are inspiring excellence!

News Archive

Dr Khotso Mokhele joins ranks of distinguished Chancellors

2010-11-21

Attending the inauguration ceremony are, from the left: Mr Pule Makgoe, MEC for Education in the Free State and member of the UFS Council; Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council; Dr Khotso Mokhele, newly inaugurated Chancellor of the UFS; and Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
Photo: Dries Myburgh

Dr Khotso Mokhele joined the ranks of distinguished Chancellors of the University of the Free State (UFS) with his inauguration as the new Chancellor of the institution at a ceremony on Friday, 19 November 2010.

The lustrous ceremony took place on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein and was attended by hundreds of guests from all over South Africa.

Dr Mokhele said in his speech: “I am excited to have been invited by the UFS to join its community at the time when it is attempting to reinvent itself into an institution that will be counted amongst those that will shape the local, regional, national will, and by so doing, contribute to the shaping of an African will.”

Dr Mokhele follows in the footsteps of Dr Franklin Sonn, former Ambassador of South Africa in the United States of America and receiver of many awards, acknowledgements, and honorary doctorates, who retired earlier this year. Dr Sonn was preceded by Ms Winkie Direko, former premier of the Free State.

His acceptance of the role of Chancellor is a great honour for the UFS.

According to Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, it is a proud moment to welcome someone from the Province as the Chancellor of this university. With his strong academic values and deep sense of human compassion, Dr Mokhele is one of but a few uncompromising leaders. He is also an inspiring, determined pioneer and a role model to all our students.

Few have done as much to guide the development of science in South Africa since democracy in 1994 as Dr Mokhele. His vision and actions as a senior science manager have been guided by his deep conviction that for a truly democratic society to emerge in South Africa all people must be empowered to be its architects and must have unhindered access to those careers upon which our economy is built.

Dr Khotso Mokhele was born and raised in Bloemfontein. After matriculating from the Moroka High School he went on to study at Fort Hare, where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Agriculture, winning the Massey-Ferguson award for the best student in that field. As a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright-Hays Scholarship, he entered the University of California in Davis where he took a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. degree, both in Microbiology. He was awarded post-doctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dr Mokhele returned to South Africa in 1987, set on becoming a top-class academic and researcher. He held lecturing posts at the Universities of Fort Hare (1987-1989) and Cape Town (1990-1992). In 1992 he joined the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) as one of its Vice-Presidents. He succeeded to its presidency in 1996 and then from 1999 to 2006 became the first President of the National Research Foundation (NRF). He successfully merged the FRD and the Centre for Science Development of the Human Sciences Research Council. Under his visionary leadership the NRF has come to play a pivotal role in the development agenda of the country. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the South African Academy of Sciences serving as its founder president (1996-1998).

Dr Khotso Mokhele's contribution to science in South Africa has received wide recognition locally and abroad. He has received nine honorary doctorates. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the President of France in recognition of his personal efforts in strengthening scientific ties between France and South Africa, and was appointed a director of the Salzburg Seminar, an institution focused on global change, and subsequently a member of its Council of Senior Fellows.

He also serves on the boards of major companies such as Implats, Adcock Ingram and Afrox.

Complete speech (Pdf)

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za19 November 2010

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept