The GradStar programme, sponsored by FNB and Fasken Martineau, was set up by BlackBark Productions (creators of the Rising Star Awards) and GradConnection, and matches the country’s best future graduates with potential employers and business mentors. It provides participating employers and the Top 100 graduates access to each other in a uniquely developed programme that focuses on quality connections, and compliments existing employer programmes.
These university students show the best potential as the country’s future leaders, and their assessment throughout the process is conducted by key assessment providers, employers and universities.
The Top 100 students are selected based on leadership criteria and readiness for the workplace, in addition to their academic performance, and the programme culminated in employer workshops with the Top 100, who represent the financial, accounting, IT, engineering and legal disciplines, amongst others.
The list was announced at a Gala Dinner at Wanderers Club, along with the “Ten of the Finest” – the top ten of the group who show the most potential, as judged by the employers.
| NR | NAME | FIELD OF STUDY | UNIVERSITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adewale Samuel Osifowokan | B Com (Economics) | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
| 2 | Ahmed Syed | BSc (Chemical Engineering) | University of Cape Town |
| 3 | Nicole Dunn | B Social Sciences (Economics, Politics & Philosophy) | University of Cape Town |
| 4 | Cyan Brown | MBChB | University of Pretoria |
| 5 | Paul Ssali | B Eng (Civil) | University of Pretoria |
| 6 | David Hendricks | B Com (Information Systems) | University of the Western Cape |
| 7 | Freddy Kido | B Com (Law) | University of the Western Cape |
| 8 | Tendai Samkange | B Pharm | University of the Western Cape |
| 9 | Wikus Botha | B Com (Information Systems) | University of Western Cape |
| 10 | Yolanda Bam | LLB | University of the Western Cape |
“I am particularly proud of the GradStar programme for the way it develops our very young talent in South Africa,” says Laura Barker, MD of BlackBark Productions. “The Top 100 will each be connected with a business mentor, who has been recognised through our Rising Star Programme, to further ready them for the workplace. This is a unique and valuable opportunity for each graduate to draw upon the expertise and knowledge of those who have gone before them, and start their careers on a solid foundation.”
The competition process is designed to emulate the process that top employers use to find their future talent, and uses psychometric testing and video interviewing amongst other methods as measurement tools. It allows students to familiarise themselves with the formal graduate programme application process, and enables them to identify their own strengths and weaknesses along the way.
| First Name | Last Name | University | Degree | First Major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adebayo | Okeowo | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Laws | LL.B |
| Adewale Samuel | Osifowokan | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Bachelor of Commerce | Economics |
| Adriel | Mebaley | Cape Peninsula University of Technology | Bachelor of Technology in Project Management | Project Management |
| Ahmed | Syed | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Science in Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Ahmed | Elbeiti | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Marketing Management |
| Amanda | Mabuza | University of Pretoria | Bcom Financial Sciences | Financial management, Financial accounting, internal auditing |
| Amy | Botha | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Communications |
| Andile | Miya | University of the Western Cape | LLB | Evidence, corporate law and preparing legal practice. |
| Andine | Erasmus | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Science | Zoology |
| Anika | Keils | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Bachelor of Commerce | Marketing |
| Anisa Ingrid Inshallah | Mazimpaka | University of Johannesburg | Business Information Technology | Development Software |
| Anoziva | Gumbie | University of Johannesburg | Bachelor of Arts | Public Management and Governance |
| Arshad | Abrahams | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Business Science | Analytics |
| Betty | Kwati | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Science | BSc Biochemistry |
| Bianca | Gevers | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Bianca | Verlinden | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Science | Biotechnology |
| Bongani Anthony | Mtotoba | University of The Free State | Bachelor of Commerce in Law | Law and Accounting |
| Buhle | Kalimashe | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting |
| Cameron | Foster | Stellenbosch University | Bachelor of Commerce | Investment Management |
| Carisa | Venter | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Veterinary Science | Veterinary medicine |
| Carla | Greyling | University of Pretoria | Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery | Not specified |
| Clare | Boswell | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Science | Biochemistry |
| Courtney | Knowles | University of Pretoria | BA Law | Law |
| Cyan | Brown | University of Pretoria | MBChB | MBChB |
| Daniel | Shacksnovis | Stellenbosch University | Bachelor of Commerce | Investment Management |
| David | Hendricks | University of the Western Cape | Bachelor of Commerce | Information Systems (Information Systems Strategy & Information Systems Architecture and Infrastructure) |
| Dimpho | Sekhaolelo | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Science | Actuarial and financial mathematics |
| Emely | Moleko | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Arts | Law |
| Francis | Wilkinson | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Human Resource Management |
| Freddy | Kido | University of the Western Cape | Bachelors of Commerce in Law | Psychology |
| Giles | Harmse | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Ivy | Kinyanjui | Rhodes University | Bachelor of Arts | Organisational Psychology |
| Jaclisse Lorene | Mayoma | University of the Western Cape | Bachelor of Arts | Language and Communication Studies |
| Jagger | Bellagarda | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Informatics |
| Jason | Van der Schyff | University of the Western Cape | Bachelor of Arts | English |
| Jon-Dylon | Petersen | University of The Free State | Bachelor of Science | Quantity Surveying |
| Ken | Kruger | University of The Western Cape | Bachelor of Economics and Finance | Economics |
| Kirsten | Smith | Monash University | Bachelor of Social Sciences and Bachelor of Social Science Psychology | Psychology |
| Laken | Manning | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Business Management |
| Lauren | O'Neil | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Bachelor of Commerce | Business Management |
| Lawrence | Mwape | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | National Diploma in Civil Engineering | Water Engineering |
| Lehlogonolo | Moja | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Taxation |
| Liesl | Visser | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Science | Mathematics |
| Linki (Helena) | Scholtz | University of the Free State | Baccalauereus Commercii in Law (cum laude) | Economics |
| Mamello | Rantseuoa | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Business Science | Finance |
| Mamodikwe | Kungoane | Monash University | Bachelor of Public Health | Public Health |
| Mbali | Moeketsi | University of The Free State | Bachelor of Arts | Media Studies and Journalism |
| Melanie | Powell | University of Johannesburg | Bachelor of Arts | Human Resource Management |
| Micaela | Pauls | University of the Western Cape | Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD) | Dentistry |
| Minette | Nortje | University of The Free State | Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Law | Law |
| Molebogeng | Motseke | University of The Free State | Bachelor of Arts | Marketing Communication |
| Muhammad Raafay | Siddiqui | Monash University | Bachelor of Business Science | Economics |
| Neo | Mathinya | University of The Free State | Bsc. Agric | Agronomy |
| Nicole | Dunn | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Social Science specialising in Politics, Philosophy and Economics | Triple majoring in Politics, Philosophy and Economics |
| Nthabiseng | Malebane | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) | Law |
| Oscar | Tarique | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Patrick | Engaba | University of Pretoria | Bachelor in Built and Engineering | Chemical engineering |
| Paul | Ssali | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Engineering | Mechanical engineering |
| Phila Apiwe | Tantsi | University of the Free State | Bachelor of Commerce Specializing in Investment Banking and Banking | Money and Investments |
| Phomelelo Frans | Mothapo | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Science | Occupational Therapy |
| Prince | Matope | University of Johannesburg | Bachelors of Accounting | Accounting |
| Prishanta | Sewpaul | University of Johannesburg | Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) | psychology |
| Priyanca | Pillay | University of Kwa-Zulu Natal | Bachelor of Business Science | Information Systems and Technology |
| Puseletso (Betty) | Mothoa | University of the Witwatersrand | Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting |
| Rachel | Serraf | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery | There is no specific major for medicine. |
| Ramona | Govender | University of the Free State | Bachelor of Law | Criminal Law |
| Sabeehah | Kootbodien | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting (CA Stream) |
| Sanelisiwe | Mhlambi | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Science | Geology |
| Seannah | Head | Monash University | Bachelor of Social Science | Psychology |
| Shanna | Visagie | Stellenbosch University | Bachelor of Arts | French |
| Sigqibo | Jack | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | BA Development Studies | Economics and Development Studies |
| Siphesihle | Mbatha | University of the Witwatersrand | Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Sivashen | Reddy | University of Kwa-Zulu Natal | Bachelor of Science | Computer Science |
| Sorina | Mulke | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Commerce | Economics |
| Tafadzwa | Nyamugafata | Rhodes University | Bachelor of Commerce | Law |
| Talia | Raubenheimer | Stellenbosch University | BCom Management Sciences | BCom Marketing |
| Tapiwa | Chiri | Rhodes University | Bachelor of Commerce | Accounting |
| Tendai | Samkange | University of The Western Cape | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) | Pharmaceutics |
| Themba | Mbangata | University of The Western Cape | Bachelor of Commerce | economics |
| Thendo | Neluvhola | University of Pretoria | BCom Statistics | Statistics |
| Theophilus | Ramatjie | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice | Clinical Medical Practice |
| Thomas | Nicholson | Rhodes University | Bachelor of Science | Biochemistry and Microbiology |
| Tiisetso | Mashele | University of The Free State | Bachelor of Science | Mathematical Statistics |
| Tinashe | Jani | Rhodes University | Bachelor of commerce | Information Systems |
| Tshepo | Magoma | University of Johannesburg | BA Public Management and Governance | Public management and governance |
| Tshiamo | Makinta | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Sciences | Actuarial and Financial Mathematics |
| Tshimologo | Roestoff | University of The Free State | LL.B Law | LLB Law |
| Tsholofelo | Gomba | Monash University | Bachelor Of Computer and Information Sciences | Application Development and Networks |
| Tureyan | Cooppan | University of Kwa-Zulu Natal | Bachelor of Science | Chemical Engineering |
| Tyrone | Morehen | University of the Free State | LL.B Law | LLB Law |
| Vhuthuhawe | Sadiki | University of The Free State | Baccalaures Artium | Corporate Marketing and Communication |
| Vilencia | Parsaraman | Durban University of Technology | National Diploma | - |
| Vuyolwethu | Nkosi | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Business Science | Statistics |
| Wikus | Botha | University of the Western Cape | Bachelor of Commerce | Information Systems |
| William | Moses | University of The Western Cape | Bachelor of Commerce | Information Systems |
| Wongakazi | Pambuka | University of The Western Cape | Bachelor of Science | Computer Science, Information Systems |
| Wura | Makinde | Monash University | Bachelor of Business Science Accounting | financial accounting |
| Yolanda | Bam-Mguye | University of the Western Cape | Bachelor of Laws, LLB | Law |
| Zacharia | Manyoni | North-West University | Bachelor of Sciences | Computer Sciences |
| Zaleekhah | Dawood | University of Pretoria | Bachelor of Science | Actuarial and Financial Mathematics |
For more information, visit: www.gradstar.co.za
