Tygerberg students were recognised for their outstanding work in a variety of fields at Stellenbosch University's (SU) Annual Rector's Awards for Excellent Achievements which was held on Thursday, 13 October.

This prestige event is hosted annually by Prof Wim de Villiers, the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, in collaboration with the Student Representative Council (SRC), to honour students who demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of academics, sport, culture, community interaction, leadership and service provision. 

The following final-year students at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) each received a Rector's award for outstanding academic achievement: Suzanne Pretorius (MBChB VI), Mené van der Westhuyzen (MBChB VI), Lara Puchert (B in Occupational Therapy), Jolane van Niekerk (B in Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy), Karli Frenz (BSc in Physiotherapy) and Dominique Breakey (BSc in Dietetics).

The SU-medal for the Top Masters Student in Health Sciences was awarded to Hilmar Luckhoff.

Michael Wood, a fourth-year MB,ChB student, was the only recipient of the Rector's award in the category of excellent achievement in culture. This musically talented young man has represented Tygerberg in a range of cultural activities and currently is the longest standing member on the Tygerberg Campus involved in both Kleinsêr and Molassasêr. He is a member of the Stellenbosch University Medical Orchestra, a regular participant in the prestigious FMHS annual Gala Concert, and he was a member of the Tygerberg Student Council (TSC), where he held the portfolio for culture.

Nick Wayne, a fourth-year MB,ChB student, received two awards, one for service interaction and one for excellence in leadership. His involvement as leader and active participant in student, university and community-based activities, have made a meaningful contribution to the projects or enterprises that he initiated. He was a member of the TSC for two years, one of which he served as the chairperson. Nick was a founder member of the Tygerberg Postgraduate Student Council, the Tygerberg Transformation Committee, the Tygerberg Transplant Society and the Tygerberg Research Society. He also was elected to serve on the SU's Council in 2016.

Another well-known TygerMatie is Dumisani Majombozi, a sixth-year MB,ChB student, who received an award for excellent achievement in leadership. He says he has grown during the past five years from serving on committees and managing projects to creating platforms for student development and stimulating thought leadership within student committees. His is currently the project manager for the T25 Leadership Initiative. Dumisani served as the chairperson of the TSC 2014/2015.

Quintin van Staden received an award for excellent achievement in leadership. He currently holds the position of speaker and leader of the Tygerberg Student Parliament and has been involved with this student body for three years. He served as vice primarius for the Osler Private Student Organisation and was a member of the TSC. Quintin is a talented sportsman, being a member of the Western Province's (WP) Open Water Swimming team and WP Men's A-team in Biathlon. Apart from his busy academic schedule as fifth-year medical student, Quintin finds time to be a member of the Stellenbosch University Medical Orchestra and the Tygerberg Dancing Society.

Douglas Heale is a sixth-year MB,ChB student and has been a member of the Golden Key Society from his first year. He was recognised for excellent achievement in service interaction. Heale said his journey at the SU helped him to realise that he is not only here to become a medical doctor, "I am here to become a whole-centred person with a variety of skills and knowledge, which will better enable me to help and develop other." He was actively involved in various initiatives of the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Leadership Institute. Heale also held various leadership positions in the Meerhoff Residence and was a member of the Medics Cricket First team from 2011 to 2015.

Photo: Jolane van Niekerk, Hilmar Luckhoff and Lara Puchert at the Annual Rector’s Awards for Excellent Achievements.

Photographer: Anton Jordaan