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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

UFS provides support network in each faculty
2016-10-28

Description: UFS provides support network in each faculty Tags: UFS provides support network in each faculty

Photo: iStock

Faculties at the University of the Free State (UFS) have been affected differently by the interruption of teaching time over the past few weeks.

Some faculties, like the Faculty of Law, have completed their curriculum, while other faculties like the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences require more teaching time. The Faculty of Health Sciences, for instance, cannot do teaching through alternative modes of delivery.

According to their needs, each faculty has prepared all the necessary learning material and instructions to support student learning. The standard and quality will be the same as if students have been attending classes. Some faculties require practical laboratory work as part of their curriculum and the necessary arrangements and adjustments have been made per department/faculty.

Constantly check official platforms
In order to assist with successfully completing the 2016 academic year, the UFS has launched the Academic Reboot Pack 2.0. It provides information around the carefully-crafted UFS academic rescue strategy and how to go about completing your work.

It is paramount to constantly check your faculty’s Blackboard organisation, the university’s main page, and your ufs4life emails to stay informed with emerging information regarding the state of the campus.

Faculties communicate work directly
Faculties at the UFS will communicate all outstanding academic work directly to the students registered in the faculty. For this, the university has created a UFS Support Network. Students should not hesitate to email or call if they need support.

Important contacts:    

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty Manager: Lizette Pretorius (LPretorius@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 2173)
Teaching and Learning Manager: Dr Corlia Janse van Vuuren (JanseVanVuurenEC@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 3691)
    
Faculty of Education    
Faculty Manager: Charmell Cardoso (CardosoC@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 9264)    
Teaching and Learning Manager: Prof Adri Beylefeld (BeylefeldAA@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 3125)
    
Faculty of Law    
Faculty Manager: Adri Kotze (Kotzea@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 2735)    
Teaching and Learning Manager: Dr Manie Moolman (MoolmanHJ@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 7084)

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences    
Faculty Manager: Lee-Ann Frazenburg (DamonsLE@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 3199)    
Teaching and Learning Manager: Elzmarie Oosthuizen (OosthuizenEM@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 2934)

Faculty of the Humanities    
Faculty Manager: Marica Coetsee (coetseem@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 2369)    
Teaching and Learning Manager: Jackie Storer (storerja@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 9579)
    
Faculty of Theology    
Faculty Manager: Ingrid Mostert (MosterIE@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 9079)    
Teaching and Learning Manager: Dr Thomas Resane (ResaneKT@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 9331)

Get your copy of the Academic Reboot Pack 2.0 on Blackboard under announcements or click here to download it.

The Academic Reboot Pack 1.0 is also available for you.
 
If students have any question or queries regarding the Academic Reboot Pack, they can send an email to: advising@ufs.ac.za

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