Two University of the Free State (UFS) students, Gundo Muchocho and Palesa Mabitle, have been selected as primary candidates for the US Department of State’s Study of the US Institutes (SUSI) for Global Student Leaders on Civic Engagement. The programme will take place from 12 January to 13 February 2026 in Seattle, Washington, and Atlanta, Georgia.
The SUSI for Global Student Leaders on Civic Engagement brings together outstanding young leaders from across the world to deepen their understanding of US society, culture, and democratic values. The programme focuses on topics such as citizenship, community building, social responsibility, and leadership, while equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to drive positive change in their home countries.
Gundo Muchocho, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) student in the Faculty of Law, is passionate about community engagement and advancing access to legal knowledge. Gundo believes that civic engagement is essential to strengthening communities and promoting active citizenship among young people. “I am very excited about my selection for the SUSI programme. I look forward to learning about the US civic systems, particularly how their legal system operates. I hope to use insights from both systems to empower and strengthen our communities. I am also thrilled to experience a new country, as this will be my first time travelling outside of South Africa and to represent both my university and country with pride,” Gundo shared.
Palesa Mabitle, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) student in the Faculty of Law, is part of the Africa in the Moot Coordination Committee, which helps African teams participate in the Willem C. Vis Moot Court Competition. She views this opportunity as a platform to exchange ideas with peers from around the world and to bring back innovative approaches that can contribute to South Africa’s social and developmental landscape. “Through the SUSI experience, I hope to gain knowledge and insights that I can bring back to strengthen and serve my community,” Palesa shared.
Both students credited the Office for International Affairs for making the opportunity accessible to them. Palesa shared that her involvement as an Umoja Buddy in 2024 introduced her to international programmes, after which she followed the office’s Instagram page; this is where she first learned about the SUSI opportunity. Similarly, Gundo discovered the programme through an Instagram post by the Office for International Affairs and expressed appreciation for the office’s active efforts to consistently share global opportunities with students. She added that the support extended beyond just selection, noting that a personal congratulatory call from Mbali Moiketsi made the experience even more meaningful.
Mbali Moiketsi, Officer in the UFS Office for International Affairs, congratulated the students on their achievement, noting that their selection reflects the university’s growing presence in global academic and leadership networks. “It is a great testament to the UFS community that this achievement is possible. The SUSI programme is highly competitive and offers students a unique opportunity to sharpen their leadership abilities. Of the four students selected by the US Consulate in Johannesburg, two are from the University of the Free State – a remarkable accomplishment that fills me with pride. This milestone reflects the progress we are making towards the goals of Vision 130, as we continue to nurture globally competitive graduates who can lead and make an impact on the international stage. It can only get better from here,” she said.
Gundo and Palesa will travel to the United States in January 2026 to begin their five-week exchange programme. Their participation represents another milestone in the UFS’ continued efforts to promote internationalisation and encourage students to engage meaningfully with global citizenship and community development.