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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

Lottery grant will boost public art at UFS

2009-05-25

Public art at the UFS will get a major boost with money made available by the National Lottery Board. Here are Dr Ivan van Rooyen, Director: UFS Marketing, Ms Nontombi Ntakakaze (Artists in School Project) and Mr Ben Botma (Head of Department: Fine Arts) at one of the existing works of art by Edoardo Villa on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar.

Emerging and established artists will showcase their work in a comprehensive public sculpture project on the campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS). The aim is to create a greater understanding of cultural differences and promote the UFS vision of a truly multilingual, non-sexist, non-racial campus, says Dr Ivan van Rooyen, Director: UFS Marketing.

The National Lottery Board has approved a grant of R4,125 million in total for three major projects, one of which is the public sculpture project. The others are a Khoe-San Early Learning Centre pilot project in Heidedal, and a boost for the Artists in Schools project, which is already underway.

Dr Van Rooyen says one way of promoting the UFS vision is to create an alternative environment and provide visible, tangible symbols of change and transformation. This will enrich the educational and cultural experience of students and visitors to the campus by stimulating intercultural dialogue and providing a setting for historical dialogue between past and future.

The dream of the UFS is to inspire a sense of ownership of the campus of an open university, worthy of a democratic South Africa. “Therefore, a large-scale project of national significance has been conceptualised, where the development of infrastructure will involve the creation and acquisition of major South African art works for the long-term benefit of all South Africans,” Dr Van Rooyen says.

The public sculpture project will be implemented over the next few years. Artists will be commissioned as funds become available. The UFS will also consult extensively with local and national art museums with experience in the public art field. A wide spectrum of artists, especially artists from the black community, will be used.

Dr Van Rooyen says that many black artists have not had an opportunity to exhibit public sculptures because of prohibitive costs and the project will empower them to develop their skills. The project makes provision for both established and emerging artists to showcase their work.

The aim of the Khoe-San Early Learning Centre pilot project is to compile a curriculum that is sensitive to multiculturalism and multilingualism. The centre will be the first in the country and will respond to the need to promote and revitalise Khoe-San languages. Using arts and crafts and storytelling, as well as literacy, numeracy and life skills, children will learn to adapt to their environment and contribute to our diverse society. This centre will be a collaborative venture between the Heidedal community and the UFS.

Finally, the Artists in Schools project, which has been running successfully since 2004, will also receive a boost from the Lottery funding. Through a series of workshops that the Department of Fine Arts presents at schools, participants develop functional art products with a distinctive Free State character. These products are marketed and sold to benefit the artists, designers and craftspeople.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
25 May 2009

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