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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

KovsieSport lauds its heroes of the year

2013-10-20

Maryka Holtzhausen and Wade van Niekerk
20 October 2013

The University of the Free State (UFS) honoured its top achievers at the Loch Logan Waterfront on Friday 18 October 2013. Maryka Holtzhausen and Wade van Niekerk were named the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year respectively.

The Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman for 2013 are Jacques du Toit and Izelle Lategan.

This year the university’s sport stars were honored in five categories. This includes:

Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year (everyone that represented South Africa at a senior level, was eligible for the title). The winners each received a trophy and each sportsman and sportswomen in this category were honored with a medal.
Junior sportsman and sportswoman of the year. The winners each received a trophy.
Sport stars that represented South Africa at senior and junior level. The achievers received certificates.
Sport stars that represented the UFS in the national student teams. The sport stars also received certificates.
Certificates were also awarded to the KovsieSport club sport stars.

The following students represented South Africa at senior level:

Maryka Holtzhausen was a member of the Protea Netball team that participated in the Fast5 World Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in November 2012. Maryka captained the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013 and was also the captain of the Protea team that toured England in September 2013.
Adele Niemand was a member of the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013. Adele obtained her 50th cap for the Proteas when she played for the Protea Netball team that toured England in September 2013.
Izelle Lategan was a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Hockey League Round 1 and 2, as well as in the semifinals of the World Hockey League. Izelle was also part of the Protea Women’s team that participated in the Investec Series in England.
Tanya Brits was a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Hockey League Round 1 and 2, as well as in the semifinals of the World Hockey League. Tanya was also part of the Protea Women’s team that participated in the Investec Series in England.
Hananja Steyn was a member of the national team that participated in the African Fencing Championships in Cape Town in 2013. Hananja also participated in the World Championship in Budapest during 2013.
Elsabe le Roux participated in the WKF Senior World Karate Championships in Paris in 2013. Elsabe was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
Diana Welmans was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
Elme de Villiers was a member of the SA Badminton team that won gold at the All Africa team event and she played in the semifinals in the singles at the same event. Elme also reached the quarterfinals in the singles and obtained gold in the doubles at the Mauritius Open.
Sandra le Grange was a member of the SA Badminton team that won gold at the All Africa team event and she obtained a bronze medal in the singles at the same event. Sandra also reached the quarterfinals and obtained gold in the doubles at the Mauritius Open.
Karla Mostert was a member of the Protea Netball team that participated in the Fast5 World Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in November 2012. Karla was a member of the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013 and also toured England as a member of the Protea Netball team in September 2013.
Balungile Ngcofe was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
Jan Petrus van der Merwe was a member of the SA Swimming team that participated in China and Australia during 2013.
Wayde van Niekerk was a member of the SA Athletics team that participated in the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia, in 2013.
Wim Boshoff was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships.
Tanya Basson was a member of the SA Judo team that competed in the World Kata Championships in Italy in 2013. Tanya was a member of the SA team to compete in the Africa Championships in Maputo in 2013 and she also competed in the World Kata Championships in Japan.

Sport stars that represented South Africa on junior level, are:

Danelle Willemse was a member of the SA U/21 Netball team that participated in the Netball Junior World Cup in Glasgow in 2013. She also represented the SA U/21 Netball team in the World Youth Championships in Singapore in 2013.
Diana Welmans was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013. She also participated as a member of the SA U/21 team in the UFAK Africa Karate Championships in Tunisia in August 2013 where she received a bronze medal.
Line Malan was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 team that toured Europe in July 2013.
Nicole Walraven was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013. The SA U/21 team, of which Nicole was a member, won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
Cornelle Botha was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013. The SA U/21 team, of which Cornelle was a member, won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
Lisa Hawker was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that won the Africa Cup Tournament.
Izelle Lategan was not only a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013, but also captained the team. She also captained the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013 and won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup. Izelle’s outstanding performances was recognised by SAHA when she was announced as the SA Junior Hockey Player. She was also a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Series Hockey League.
Tanya Brits was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013 and won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup. Tanya was also a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Series Hockey League.
Jacques du Toit was a member of the SA U/21 Rugby team that participated in the IRB Junior World Championships in 2013.
Andries Gous played as a SA U/19 Cricket player in a test series against England in January and February 2013, as well as in the One-Day Series against England during February and March 2013.
Wim Boshoff participated as a member of the SA U/21 team in the UFAK Africa Karate Championships in Tunisia in August 2013 where he received a bronze medal. He also participated in the Istanbul Open in Turkey in September 2013.

The KovsieSport club sport stars are:

Maryka Holtzhausen – Netball
Jaco Fourie – Hockey
Izelle Lategan – Hockey
Leonard Killeen – Cricket
Teboho (Oupa) Mohoje – Rugby
Duke Munro – Tennis
Christi Potgieter – Tennis
Ricco Sutil – Soccer
Choaro Khumisi – Soccer
Wayde van Niekerk – Athletics
Danelle Prinsloo - Athletics

B Category:

Jan Petrus van der Merwe – Aquatics
Elsabe le Roux – Karate
Tanya Basson– Judo

The USSA international participants were:

Wayde van Niekerk participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
Gideon Trotter participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
Rynhardt van Rensburg participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
Dumisane Hlaselo participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
Jaco Fourie participated in the World Student Hockey Games in Russia in July 2013.
Luke Sanan participated in the World Student Hockey Games in Russia in July 2013.
Robbie van Schalkwyk participated in the World Student Rugby Games in Russia in July 2013.
Elme de Villiers participated in the Student World Badminton Championships in Korea in November 2012.
Sandra le Grange participated in the Student World Badminton Championships in Korea in November 2012.

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