HARD work has paid off for Witsies who lived in residence and excelled academically last year.
Claude Vergie , assistant registrar in the west campus cluster, said res students had the academic edge over day students because of the accessibility of resources and ability to collaborate with other students.
Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic, Professor Yunus Ballim, said awardees were in a privileged historical position: “It took us way too long to get rid of apartheid […] your generation must not make the same mistakes we made.”
Noma Radebe, producer of SABC 1’s Ek se Lalela, said awardees should not make their success about themselves. She advised them to give back: “Literally, even if it means standing up in a bus for an older person or someone that looks tired.”
Top achievers from Men’s Res and Jubilee Hall were hosted at the recently refurbished main dining hall for their joint dinner last Friday.
Reginald Matamela, a 3rd year mining engineering student, bagged nine As and emerged as the top student from Men’s Res. He said discipline and making the right decisions drove his success.
“I chose my girlfriend really well, who’s very supportive, and understands what I have to do.”
With his trophy in hand, Reginald Matamela celebrates his achievement as the top student from Men's Res. He achieved nine As in last year's exams.
Nomsa Mlambo, a 2nd year accounting science student, said it was hard in the beginning of her first year, but getting into a study group and going through past exam papers made studying “fun”.
Vergie advised the students to embrace the principle of life-long learning.
“It’s really just unlocking the door to greater success. They shouldn’t just sit back and think they’ve achieved it all.”
The res dinner formed part of a series of academic dinners occurring across campus in March.
