Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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

Kovsie TV Launched
2015-05-06

Victor Ngubeni, Grace Thoabala, Nangamso Dlatu, Aisha Poswa, Lesego Maakamedi, Nothando Hlope, Aldene vd Merwe and Lawrence Siyoko

“We have to change our university before we can change our country.”

 

There is a revolution at hand, and students are requesting new and exciting platforms on which they can voice themselves. Kovsie TV aims to do just that for Kovsie students. 

 

As a student initiative, the steam behind it is SRC Student Development and Environmental Affairs, Victor Ngubeni. He says that it is only right that it be by the students themselves. The launch saw many from the campus community gathered out of curiosity and excitement for the new venture. The evening started out as quite a classy frenzy, which had attendees clearly prepared for the level of broadcasting that the launch would showcase.

 

The initial idea is to increase the number of platforms where students can receive information. The Student Media portfolio, which oversees the functioning of student media platforms, aims to make Kovsie TV as autonomous as possible. As an introductory initiative, it will aid in the sharing and telling of students’ stories.

 

It is important to mention the preparation process that was endured by the many hopefuls who auditioned, hoping to make it as one of the Kovsie TV presenters. For more than three weeks, the panel of judges sieved through the contestants until they had just six rough diamonds. Then, for the first time, the audience met the faces that they would become familiar with from this point.

 

As Ngubeni stressed during his speech, Kovsie TV would not serve as propaganda machine for the SRC, as many might have asked about the relationship that could be expected between the two. The architects of Kovsie TV hope that, as a student initiative, it will inspire a new era in student activism.

 

When asked about the concept behind this new platform, Ngubeni informed us that, “the concept is to have a twenty-minute campus TV show highlighting what goes on around campus so that students know, and so that we can get them participating in campus life activities.”

 

This is a student initiative whose future will depend solely on the students themselves.

 

Presenters:

Nangamso Dlathu – Studio presenter

Grace Thoabala – Studio presenter

Lesego Maakamedi – Social events

Nothando Hlophe – Current affairs

Aldine van der Merwe – Culture events and Vox-Pop

Mbulelo Siyoko – Culture and Vox-Pop

Aisha Phoswa ? Sports

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept