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UFS secures Top 3 position at GradStar Awards with 53 students recognised

12 September 2025 | Story Lilitha Dingwayo | Photo Lunga Luthuli

The University of the Free State (UFS) has once again demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence and student success by securing a place in the top three universities nationally at the 2025 GradStar Awards. An impressive 53 UFS students were recognised among the prestigious Top 500 list announced on 24 August.

The GradStar Awards, now in their 10th year, highlight students across South African universities who demonstrate the employability skills, leadership qualities, and potential to make a meaningful impact in the workplace. More than 700 students entered the initial assessment phase this year, which focused on how they perceive themselves as future change-makers.

Assistant Director for the Division of Student Affairs, Belinda Janeke, emphasised the importance of this achievement:

“This recognition speaks to both our students and our staff. The UFS places a high premium on employability, and both academic and support staff play a vital role in equipping our students with the skills to succeed. I like to use the analogy of a car: academics teach you to build the car and understand all its parts, whereas employability equips you to drive the car.”

According to the organisers, the 500 students selected will now proceed to the next stage of a three-phase assessment process, with the goal of reaching the GradStar Top 100.

For final-year BSc Actuarial Science student and two-time Golden Key recipient, Talha Suleman, the journey has only just begun:

“Reaching the Top 100 would open doors to connect with South Africa’s brightest future leaders and industry pioneers. My goal is to use the platform to expand my network, share insights from Actuarial Science, and learn from diverse perspectives. More importantly, I see it as a responsibility to represent UFS and inspire other students by showing that challenges can be turned into stepping stones.”

Janeke encouraged aspiring students to take advantage of the resources available to them, noting the success of UFS’s student-centred initiatives such as the newly launched series of ‘shoe camps’, designed to strengthen employability.

The UFS celebrates this milestone as part of its broader mission to shape graduates who are not only academically excellent but also highly employable and ready to make an impact.

UFS students in the GradStar Top 500:

Thelby Tshiuda - Bachelor of Laws

Tlotlisang Mhlambiso - Bachelor of Education Honours (Professional): Curriculum Studies

Samkelo Majola - NULL

Sindisiwe Thwala - Bachelor of Laws

Lefu Matsikitlane - Bachelor of Science Honours

Nomkhosi Mbutu - Master of Sustainable Agriculture

Talha Suleman – BSc in Actuarial Science

Selewe Thokoza - Bachelor of Public Administration: Human Resource Management

Rambuti Mohale - Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration

Thabang Thulare - Advanced Certificate in Education (Further Education Biology Education)

Okuhle Tobho - Bachelor of Social Sciences

Kamohelo Moeti - Bachelor of Accounting

Sisipho Ndamase - Bachelor of Management Leadership

Ignecias Phathutshedzo - Bachelor of Public Administration: Human Resource Management

Kgagamatso Moticoe - Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Siyabonga Mahlalela - Bachelor of Computer Information Systems

Zozibini Jojo Bachelor - Public Administration: General Management

Kabelo Mahlaba - Master of Science: Clinical Psychology

Neo Victor Hlongwane - Master of Science in Agriculture

Bongumusa Mabika - Master of Education

Ontiretse Ngakantsi - Bachelor of Science Honours

Nelisiwe Mkhomazi - Bachelor of Social Sciences

Amanda Mashinini - Bachelor of Arts: Education

Jessica Dlamini - Master of Social Science

Jabu Hlongwane - Bachelor of Computer Information Systems

Pulane Portia Pudumo - Master of Arts: Environmental Management and Planning

Nosipho Koloi - Bachelor of Psychology

Shivani Krishnasammy - Bachelor of Law

Ayanda Mhlauli - Bachelor of Commerce

Nosipho Ngqasa - Bachelor of Science

Kefiloe Khaole - Master of Education

Makwena Semenya - Bachelor of Arts: Education

Phindile Nyila - Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management Accounting

Luyanda Sphesihle Khumalo - Master of Arts in Governance and Political Transformation

Maile Edgar Ramoadi - Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Lebogang Thato Magodielo - Bachelor of Law

Pfarelo Maphangula - Bachelor of Education: Technology

Monthati Molale - Bachelor of Laws

Boitumelo Ngobeni - Bachelor of Social Sciences

Bontle Sello - Bachelor of Arts Honours in Communication Science

Richard Pakiso Mphuthi - Bachelor of Accounting

Sifiso Royal Hlanguza - Bachelor of Arts: Cultural and Social Systems

Sphesihle Manatha - Bachelor of Public Administration: Human Resource Management

Buhle Mahamba - Advanced Certificate in Education (Further Education Biology Education)

Justin Kruger - Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration

Selloane Mpheme - Further Diploma: Education: Language Education

Lutricia Tyongwe - Bachelor of Public Administration: General Management

Ogechi Mokotedi - Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

Kabelo Sherlyn - Mashabela Master of Science

Marcellah Nyaga - Master of Higher Education Studies

Thulani Mabaso - Bachelor of Arts: Languages

Mogudi Sello - Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Lefa Rabase - Bachelor of Science Honours (Zoology)

News Archive

Minister praises the Faculty of Law

2009-02-13

At the launch of the Faculty of Law at the UFS's celebration of 100 years of jurisprudence, under the theme "Iurisprudentia 100", were, from the left: Judge Faan Hancke, Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Criminal and Medical Law and Chairperson of the UFS Council, Judge Lex Mpati, President of the Highest Court of Appeal, Mr Surty, Judge Hendrik Musi, Judge President of the High Court of the Free State, and Prof. Henning.
Photo: Stephen Collett

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Enver Surty, has praised the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) for producing lawyers, academics, judges, etc. of great note.

Mr Surty was guest speaker this week on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein at the launch of the faculty’s celebration of a century of excellence in legal education, training and research at the UFS. The theme of the celebration is “Iurisprudentia 100”.

“The faculty has throughout its existence demonstrated its capability and capacity to produce scholars, legal practitioners, academics, judges, politicians etc, of great note. The university can take pride in the fact that, as an institution, you have done so well,” said Mr Surty.

Mr Surty said that our judiciary must be adequately qualified and it must be representative of our nation. “We must therefore have more aspiring judges in our midst and we must have a more representative judiciary – in race and gender. This is where an institution like the UFS can play an important role,” said Mr Surty.

Mr Surty also commented on the university’s engagement with its communities.
“The UFS has begun to recognise the importance of community engagement. Unless community engagement is part of your curricular activity we would not be able to produce the judges of the caliber we need who are better able to understand the social and economic context of our society,” he said.

According to Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS, the faculty has a distinguished history of excellence in theoretical and practical legal education and training, which can be traced as far back as the establishment of the Grey University College in 1904.

Over the years, student numbers grew considerably and today the faculty has over 2 700 graduate and postgraduate students.

“The faculty prides itself on the fact that some of its students and lecturers went on to hold some of the highest offices in the country. Under its alumni are state presidents, ministers of state, administrators, judges of appeal, judges, rectors, professors and lecturers at the UFS as well as at other universities, advocates, attorneys and legal advisors – in private practice as well as in government,” said Prof. Henning.

The faculty’s “Iurisprudentia 100” celebrations will take place throughout the year with activities such as breakfasts for the various alumni groups of the faculty and a series of inaugural lectures. Cum Laude awards will also be
handed to Judge Lex Mpati, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, and Judge Louis Harms, Deputy President of the Supreme Court Appeal. The celebrations will be concluded in November with a prestige dinner.

Celebration programme:

26 February 2009: Visit by Prof. Fernand de Varennes (of the Murdoch Law School, Perth, Australia),
13 March 2009: Breakfast for all candidate attorneys
18 March 2009: Breakfast for judges and Cum Laude awards
15 May 2009: Breakfast for labour law certificate alumni
11 September 2009: Breakfast for diploma alumni (CFP)
16 October 2009: Breakfast for attorneys and advocates
9-12 November 2009: Inaugural and public lectures
13 November 2009: Centenary dinner

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
18 February 2009

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