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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

Pansalb’s Language Rights Monitor Project launched at the UFS

2007-01-25


Attending the launch of the Language Rights Monitoring Project were, from the left: Mr Edward Sambo (acting head of Pansalb), Prof Engela Pretorius (Vice-Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities at the UFS), Prof Theo du Plessis (Director: Unit for Language Management at the UFS) and Mr Vusi Ntlakana (head of the Free State provincial office of Pansalb).
Pansalb’s Language Rights Monitor Project launched at the UFS The Unit for Language Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with the Pan-South African Language Board (Pansalb), today launched the Language Rights Monitor Project on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. In accordance with the Pansalb Act of 1995, Pansalb is responsible for the promotion and protection of language rights in South Africa, and is the chief funder of the project. The Language Rights Monitor Project was initiated in 2002 for a trial period of three years, with the aim of reporting to Pansalb, on an annual basis, on language-rights issues in South Africa, as reflected mainly in the printed media. Since then, three reports have already appeared, covering various aspects relating to language rights, including, inter alia, language-rights complaints, language-rights issues, language litigation, as well as research on language rights in South Africa. Profs Johan Lubbe and Theo du Plessis, as well as Dr Elbie Truter, all associated to the UFS, were responsible for the compilation of the first three reports. During 2006, Pansalb decided to establish the project for an unspecified period of time at the Unit for Language Management at the UFS. It is precisely for this reason that the project is being launched. The South African Language Rights Monitor will henceforth appear annually as a prestige publication of Pansalb, compiled by staff associated with the Unit. However, Pansalb has also decided to further consolidate the project, as a result of the need for a more immediate report, as well as the need to include records drawn from newspapers published in the African languages. It was therefore decided that, as from September 2006, a monthly South African Language Rights Bulletin would also be launched. Such a bulletin would provide an overview, on a monthly basis, of developments in South Africa concerning language rights, and would enable Pansalb to become more actively involved in crisis situations in which mediation is urgently needed. Two monthly bulletins have already appeared, and were favourably received by Pansalb. During the launch of the project, this bulletin was also introduced to the public for the first time. With the official launch of Pansalb’s Language Rights Monitor project in the Free State, emphasis will be placed on the leading role played by this province, and more specifically by the UFS, in the development and implementation of a multilingual policy. In future, more information on the situation regarding language-rights issues in South Africa will be made available from Bloemfontein, for the benefit of South Africa’s language-rights watchdog, Pansalb, but also for the benefit of other institutions involved in language-rights issues. A constructive contribution will thus be rendered to the cultivation of language justice, an important element of the democratisation process in South Africa. Issued by: Prof Theo du Plessis Unit for Language Management, UFS Media release Issued by: Lacea Loader Media Representative Tel: (051) 401-2584 Cell: 083 645 2454 E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za 24 January 2007

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