GradStar Awards Celebrate Top 100 Students

The Top 100 undergraduate students in South Africa were celebrated this week at the GradStar Awards, hosted by the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on the 27^th and 28^th of September.

The GradStar Awards is an annual event produced by BlackBark Productions (creators of the Rising Star Awards) and GradConnection that recognises the Top 100 students across South Africa and connects them with potential employers, and in turn giving employers a a chance to develop long lasting relationships with the top talent.

Out of 3,500 other applicants, a strict and rigorous selection process decided the Top 100 students who not only excel academically, but who are also well rounded and possess leadership skills.

The assessment process was designed to select candidates based on readiness for and ability in the workplace. The initial selection process involved students submitting application forms, then completing psychometric tests, and based on the results of the test, they were then invited to complete an online interview.

Six of Monash University South Africa students were part of the Top 100 including Tsholofelo Gomba, Seannah Head, Mamodikwe Kungoane, Wura Makinde, Muhammad Raafay Siddiqui and Kirsten Olivia Smith. For their full profiles, click here.

Mamodikwe Kungoane, who is completing her Bachelor of Public Health degree says, “GradStar 2016 was one of the most beautifully overwhelming experiences. I feel honoured to be amongst so many bright stars. One of the things I appreciate the most is binding with stars from my very own campus.”

Seannah Head, a second year student who is double majoring in Business Management and Psychology says, “I thought it was such an eye opening experience that really made me feel inspired and energised to take on new challenges. I felt awesome being surrounded by such excellent minds and felt really grateful to be blessed to take part in such an amazing experience.”

Wura Makinde, who is completing her Bachelor of Business Science in Accounting says, “I found that GradStar was an extremely enlightening, empowering and humbling experience. I got to meet and learn from so many phenomenal people. It reignited my desire to succeed and made me realise that I want to do more, care more and contribute more to our society.”

Tsholofelo Gomba, a second year student double majoring in Applications & Network Development and Business Systems says, “I enjoyed meeting all those wonderful people from various universities. I’m disappointed that there weren’t many organisation focusing on IT though.”

In agreement, Kirsten Olivia Smith, who is double majoring in Journalism and Psychology says that she was disappointed that there weren’t more exhibitors and potential employers present at the event. “I was expecting the SABC or Tiger Brands companies to be at the event because I’m interested in marketing and journalism. But it seemed like the event only focused on accounting firms, banks and law orientated companies” says Smith. However, she states that “the GradStar Awards was an amazing opportunity to connect with students from other universities” and that she is honoured to be part of the Top 100 undergraduate students in South Africa.

The programme patron, Dr David Molapo, was recently tasked by the Office of the President and the Department of Education with the responsibility of putting together 16 events celebrating the 40^th Anniversary of Youth Day on 16^th June 2016. Dr Molapo fully endorsed the GradStar Awards by saying, “This is a worthy programme, designed to uplift the student youth at this time of unrest and provide an aspirational platform to assist them in achieving their potential. I urge you, as the employers and educators of South Africa, to support this initiative and help create this exciting network of young people.”

The ’10 of the Finest’ were then selected of the Top 100 students in a four phase judging process conducted during Day 1 by Dell Young Leaders Programme, Fasken Martineau, PwC and FNB. The winners were then announced during the Gala Dinner and formal award ceremony.

Students were then able to stay overnight at the Protea Hotel in order to rest up before the second day of the GradStar awards which involved numerous workshops, talks by guest speakers and exhibitors, and meeting with mentors from the Rising Star Awards programme.

Raafay Siddiqui says, “It’s one thing to achieve and another to be recognised for it. To be recognised as one of the Top 100 university students in the country is incredible. Not only does it allow for one to feel appreciated but to become motivated to always excel and pursue the most enlightening of goals.” Siddiqui then commented on the event saying that the programme was wonderful and that “it created a space to learn and network with some of the best business minds in the country.” However, Siddiqui mentioned that the programme lacked speakers and individuals from non-business related entities and thus some students could not connect with the leaders they were presented with. He then commented on the Rising Star Mentorship programme saying that it is “a great idea and will definitely be of benefit to students looking to enter the workplace.” Overall, Siddiqui says that he enjoyed the stay, the workshops, as well as the company of the other Top 100 students and will forever “cherish the opportunity to network and create friends with the cream of the crop of South Africa.”

Monash SA students selected for Top 100

Six Monash South Africa students have been selected as part of the Top 100 undergraduate students in South Africa as part of the GradStarAwards. The Top 100 students were announced on the 15^th of August.

The GradStar Awards is an annual event produced by BlackBark Productions (creators of the Rising Star Awards) and GradConnection that recognises the Top 100 students across South Africa and connects them with potential employers, in turn giving employers a chance to develop long lasting relationships with the top talent.

The MSA students include Tsholofelo Gomba, Seannah Head, Mamodikwe Kungoane, Wura Makinde, Muhammad Raafay Siddiqui and Kirsten Olivia Smith. For their full profiles, click here.

The top 100 were selected above 3,500 other applicants, based on a strict and rigorous selection process which focuses on not only academic excellence, but well-roundedness and leadership skills.

The assessment process was designed to select candidates based on readiness for and ability in the workplace. The initial selection process involved students submitting application forms, then completing psychometric tests, and based on the results of the test, they were then invited to complete an online interview.

Kirsten Olivia Smith says, “The psychometric tests were so difficult, I was shocked when I received an email saying that I had passed and could move on to the next stage of the competition. I am so honoured to be part of the top 100 students in SA and it just goes to show that hard work finally pays off.”

Raafay Siddiqui says that he first heard of the GradStar Awards through an email forwarded to him by Tulani, the Student Leadership Officer at Monash. Seannah Head as well as Mamodikwe Kungoane, however, first heard about the event from Dr Natasha Mwila, the International Business lecturer at Monash.

Wura Makinde says that she stumbled across the GradStar webpage when searching for South African bursaries online and decided that it would be fun to try her luck and apply.

Both Kirsten Olivia Smith and Tsholofelo Gomba heard about the GradStar Awards via the online social networking platform for students, GradConnection.

The GradStar Awards, hosted by the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg, will take place during the mid-semester break, on the 27^th and 28^th of September.

For the complete list of the Top 100 students, click here.

Top 100 GradStar Awards – MSA Student Profiles

Six Monash South Africa students have been selected as part of the Top 100 undergraduate students in South Africa as part of the GradStarAwards.

They are:

Tsholofelo Gomba:

Tsholofelo, 20, is currently doing her second year of study, double majoring in Applications and Network Development and Business Systems. She aims to become a programmer, software developer or tester early in her career in order to gain hands on experience with computer systems before moving to management positions such as CIO. Tsholofelo likes helping others and tutors first year students in Database Management using SQL. In 2015, she tutored maths at Matla Combined High School as the school has a shortage of teachers and she believes it encourages students to study more technical degrees. Other than teaching, she is part of the Monash IT Society and Monash Game Development Club. If given the opportunity, Tsholofelo would like to do her Honours Degree in Information Technology. She is motivated by the desire to be the best she can be at whatever she does and wants to make her family proud. She enjoys long distance running.

Seannah Head:

Aged 20, Seannah is currently in her second year studying a double major in Business Management and Psychology. Academically inclined and goal driven, she works consistently to apply herself and achieve wherever possible. She gravitates toward leadership roles and shows a commitment to serve others and act with integrity, guided by her strong moral code. She works part-time at a recruitment company as a head administrative assistant helping to compile CVs for candidates as well as part-time tutoring at SA Tutors. In the future, Seannah aspires to go on to receive her Doctorate degree in the field of Psychology, with the end goal of opening her own Psychology practice. Displaying a positive attitude and kind regard to others helps her make the best of any environment faced, hoping to learn as much as possible from every opportunity or experience she faces.

Mamodikwe Kungoane:

Mamodikwe, 19 and studying business management as an elective, is dreaming big with aspirations of travelling the world to help those in need as well as learning from those who are already succeeding. She aspires to achieve greatness and to build the ladder higher and higher so that Africa can climb and conquer. Having participated in extra mural activities from a young age, the trend continues into the second semester of her second year where she participates in tennis, learning guitar and community engagement. She finds motivation in children who know nothing beyond their villages, townships or suburbs; in adults who suppress their dreams by settling and through community leaders, ministers, teachers and doctors who work endlessly to touch another life. Most importantly, her motivation comes from the good that people can do. 

Wura Makinde:

Wura, 21, is a resilient, head strong Charted Accountant in the making and is devotedly studying towards her degree. Wura is a dedicated and passionate individual who believes that hard work is the substance to achieve all goals. Wura is passionate about the African economy and is motivated by her dream of one day contributing to the success, growth and development of Africa as a whole. Wura believes in learning and drawing inspiration from every person she meets, she is also a firm believer of breaking boundaries and constantly drives herself to achieve new levels of success. She has a love for animals, enjoys regular visits to the gym and participates in active debates and discussion forums.

Muhammad Raafay Siddiqui:

Muhammad is an ambitious and proud 21-year-old Pakistani – born South African second year student. He has been fortunate to represent himself, his institution and his country at local and international academic competitions such as the International Junior Science Olympiad as well as local SAASTA Olympiads. Matriculating with seven distinctions and being rewarded with a scholarship, he quickly became involved in the extra-curricular activities offered at Monash. He currently serves as the President of the Model United Nations society as well as the External Director for the Debate Society at the university. His motivation is the desire to always uplift those around him. In the future, he aspires to be a leader that creates positive change within society, particularly through bettering the livelihood of impoverished and underprivileged communities.   

Kirsten Olivia Smith:

Kirsten Olivia Smith (20) is currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Social Science degree at Monash University South Africa and is double majoring in Psychology and Journalism. SHe has a tuition scholarship and is the editor of MoTimes, the MSA student run blog, and class representative in all her units. She works part-time as a swimming coach and enjoys playing tennis as well as making and selling beaded jewellery. Kirsten is an aspiring photographer with a Diploma from The Shaw Academy and already has a number of regular clients. She is a film and theatre enthusiast, with a fondness for live productions. She aims to run her own photography, film-production or theatre company in the future. She wishes to bring creativity into the business world and focus on being unique. She has a consistently healthy and positive outlook on life and strives to excel in everything that she does. 

For the complete list of the Top 100 students, click here.