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12 September 2025 | Story Lilitha Dingwayo | Photo Lunga Luthuli
Gradstar
University of the Free State students Okuhle Tobho, Lutricia Tyongwe, Talha Suleman, and Thelby Tshiuda are among the 53 UFS students recognised in the Top 500 of the 2025 GradStar Awards, which celebrate South Africa’s most employable graduates.

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

Degrees and diplomas are awarded
2009-09-01



The Spring Graduation Ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) took place in the Arena of the South Campus in Bloemfontein this week. Altogether 832 degrees and diplomas, 34 doctoral degrees, two honorary doctorates and a Councillor’s Medal were conferred.

 

 

All smiles. Three students who received the Advanced Diploma in Disaster Management at the spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State, are from the left: Oboneng Cynthia Tshitannye from Vryburg, Ramapulana Nkoana from Tzaneen and Sindisiwe Myide from Pietermaritzburg. The ceremony took place on the South Campus of the university.
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar

 
 

Diploma ontvang. Sowat duisend studente het in September op die Universiteit van die Vrystaat se lente-gradeplegtigheid grade of diplomas ontvang. Hier is Adri Lourens (links) van Medi-Clinic Bloemfontein wat die Gevorderde Universiteitsdiploma in Gemeenskapsverpleegkunde ontvang het, by haar ma, mev. Helen Lourens, ook van Bloemfontein.
Foto: Leatitia Pienaar

 

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Degrees in die Faculties of the Humanities, Health Sciences, Education, Law and Theology 

 

Three students obtained their PhD degrees in Higher Education Studies. They are, from the left: Dr Liezel Massyn, Dr Andile Dandala and Dr Mpho Moagi-Jama. Dr Massyn, Teaching and Learning Manager in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, completed her thesis titled “A framework for learning design in different modes of delivery in an adult learning programme”. Prof. Annette Wilkinson is her promoter and Dr Rika van Schoor is her co-promoter. Dr Dandala, Director: Quality Assurance at the Walter Sisulu University completed his thesis on “The challenges of designing a new programme and qualification (PQM) mix for a comprehensive university in South Africa”. His promoter is Prof. Johnny Hay and the co-promoter is Dr Louis van der Westuizen. Dr Moagi-Jama, a lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences completed her thesis on “Designing an academic support and development programme to combat attrition among non-traditional undergraduates”. Her promoter is Prof. Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela and the co-promoter is Dr Adri Beylefeld.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

UFS awards degrees in health sciences

This week the University of the Free State (UFS) held its spring graduation ceremony on the  South Campus in Bloemfontein. At this occasion George Visser received his M.Med. (Anes), Wilandi Jacobs received her M.Med. (Surgery) and Deon Menge received his M.Med. (Surgery) in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Megan Murphy (left) and Danielle Rose received their B.Soc.Sc. qualifications in the Faculty of the Humanities.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Dumisane Nxumalo received his Master’s Degree in Labour Law in the Faculty of Law.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Former Kovsies see their daughter graduate
Mr Danie Botha and his wife Alta today attended their daughter, Marali’s graduation ceremony. Marali received her B.Ed. qualification in the Faculty of the Education at the University of the Free State (UFS). Mr and Mrs Botha are alumni of the university.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Spring graduation ceremony held at the UFS

At this year’s spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) that was held on the South Campus, Cordelia de Waal received her B.Soc.Sc. Honours degree and Danie de Klerk received his B.A. degree in Language Studies and English. Both these qualifications are presented in the Faculty of the Humanities.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Youngest Ph.D. in education awarded at the UFS

Dr Nalize Marais (second from the left), Senior Officer at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD), today became the youngest student in the history of the university to receive a Ph.D. in education. Her she is with Dr John Bowes (left), Deputy Principal at Bedelia Primary in Welkom, Prof. Rita Niemann, Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative Education and Education Management and promoter of the three students, and Dr Ben Oosthuyse, teacher at Voortrekker High School in Bethlehem. Dr Marais submitted her thesis at the age of 27. All three students received a Ph.D. in Education Management.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Degrees in die Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Economic and Management Sciences were awarded.

 
Two honorary doctorates and one Council Medal were awarded during the Chancellor’s Dinner. Prof. Johan Grobbelaar, Senior Professor in the Department Plant Sciences received the Councillor’s Medal for dedicated service to the UFS for more than 40 years, Judge Louis Harms received the degree Doctor Legum (Honoris Causa) and the degree Philosophiae Doctor (Honoris Causa) was conferred upon Mr Johan Loock. At the Chancellor’s Dinner were, from the left: Prof. Grobbelaar, Dr Franklin Sonn, Chancellor if the UFS, Judge Harms, Judge Faan Hancke, Chairperson of the UFS Council and Mr Loock.
Foto: Stephen Collett
 
The degree B.Com. Economics was awarded to Heinrich Brüssow, Springbok and Cheetah rugby player and former Shimla player. Here is Heinrich with Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor – one of his biggest supporters.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
Prof. Helena van Zyl, Director of the UFS School for Business (in the front in the red gown) together with the group of MBA students who graduated.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
Azar Debbo (right) received the degree B.Sc. Genetics. With him is his brother Alec, who received the degree B.A. in Drama and Theatre Arts from the UFS in 2007, and their father Al Debbo, comedian, actor and singer.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
From the left is: Matseliso Phafoli, who received an B.Com.Hons. in Economics, Kenekwe Moumo, who received the degree B.Com.Hons. in Financial Economics and Managerial Accounting, and Teboho Maichu, who also received a B.Com.Hons. degree in Financial Economics and Investment Management.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
The degree B.Com.Hons. in Psychological Equivalence was awarded to Robynne Sudbury and Siyabonga Nyembe received received a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry.
Photo: Lacea Loader

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