Stellenbosch University
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Four Matie students’ recipe for success
Author: Sandra Mulder
Published: 18/10/2017

​​​​​​Commitment, confidence, perseverance, self-discipline and stepping out of one's comfort zone: these are some of the qualities exhibited by four Stellenbosch University (SU) students who are recipients of the Gradstar Top 100 Graduate Employers and Future Leaders Awards for 2017.

Lee Baatjes and Avuyile Mbangatha (both studying MB,ChB), Cameron Foster (Investment Management) and Amy Pike (Fine Arts and Psychology) received this honour after entering Gradstar's online national competition – a platform that celebrates South Africa's leading graduate employers and also recognises and honours the best students at South African tertiary institutions.

These four recipients of the Gradstar awards were in full agreement that their participation had been a great experience and had helped them tremendously in preparing for the day when they need to enter the workplace.

To him being one of the 100 Top Leaders and Achievers in the country was a phenomenal achievement, Avuyile said, especially as he was one of the youngest.  He added: “As a former SA Junior Research Ambassador, it provides a platform to be able to network and shape my vision of giving back to communities and health systems one day."

Avuyile's advice to students was short and sweet: “Remember, life is tough, but so are you."

Amy's advice to fellow students was to look for opportunities and pursue them.  She explained: “You cannot expect them to come to you and you need to strive towards growing yourself as a person and realising your responsibility not only to your country, university, or peers, but also to yourself. Be committed and confident in what you wish to achieve in this world, and make every effort to fulfil it."  She added that she was proud of being chosen as a top student, especially receiving recognition on behalf of the smaller departments at SU such as Fine Arts.

Lee, who served as Chairperson of the Tygerberg Student Representative Council, is of the opinion that all students receive equal opportunities to prosper.  He said he could take all the attributes, skills and lessons learnt in his time at the University into his future workplace and bring about change.  He continued: “Students need to live a disciplined and well-balanced life.  Grab every opportunity that comes your way and be a servant leader in your community. Step out of your comfort zone and endeavour to make a change in your society."

Cameron has been one of the top students for two years in a row.  Said Cameron: “I feel immensely honoured because in this competition leadership and readiness for work are tested."

  • The process for being selected as one of the 100 Top Students includes psychometric testing using Testgrid and being interviewed, amongst other things.  The competition is designed to emulate the typical recruitment process that students undergo when applying for a graduate programme.

 The students will attend an awards ceremony in February 2018.

Caption: Stellenbosch University's top students are pictured here (from left) Cameron Foster; Amy Pike; Lee Baatjes and Avuyile Mbangatha.