Amy Booth matriculated in 2012 from Hillcrest High School in Kwa-Zulu Natal. She is studying for the Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) qualification. She is the Outreach Head and member of the Medical Research subcommittee for the UCT Surgical Society, and also serves on the Simthandile (Khayelitsha) Clinic Committee for SHAWCO Health as well as the Residence Management Team at Rochester House. Her other societal memberships include the Rural Support Network, Friends of Medecins Sans Frontieres, South African Medical Student Association and the Cardiac Society. Recognising that poor living conditions adversely affect the health status of many South Africans, her goal in the long term is to champion societal collaboration in reducing poverty. She also has a passion for improving gender equality.
Ruqaya Gabier matriculated in 2013 from Wynberg Girls’ High School in Cape Town. She is studying for the Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) qualification. She is an active member of the UCT Surgical Society, SHAWCO Health, the South African Medical Students’ Association and the Palestine Solidarity Forum. Additionally, she is an avid culinary enthusiast. Her desire is twofold: (i) to contribute to bringing to life the words of the South African Constitution, “Everyone has the right to have access to quality health care”; and (ii) to contribute to realising the World Health Organisation’s goal of “Health for All”.
Nozipo Gwaza matriculated from Durban Girls High School in 2012 and began her academic career at UCT in 2013. She is studying for a BSc (Engineering) degree majoring in Civil Engineering. Her student leadership roles have included being the Head Student of Tugwell Hall Residence and a member of the SRC Residence Subcommittee for the year 2013. She sees herself eventually playing a significant leadership role as a model of ethical entrepreneurship. Her long term personal vision is to develop support initiatives that empower young African women. Through this, Nozipo hopes to further explore Africa and share in its potential and untold history.
Irfan Habib matriculated in 2013 from Parktown Boys' High School in Johannesburg. He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Astrophysics, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. He is involved with the SHAWCO Smart Programme at UCT and is a Clarinus Village residence tutor. Irfan believes by merging his passion for science and innovation with an innate social obligation, he can play his part in transforming South Africa, and by extension Africa, into a key player in the global arena.
Ryan Hudson matriculated in 2013 from Fish Hoek High School in Cape Town. He is studying for a BSc (Engineering) degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is Vice Head Mentor in the EBE mentoring programme, and also tutors Maths and Physical Science. He is a member of the UCT Mountain and Ski Club, and also belongs to the UCT chapter of Engineers Without Borders. A keen “outdoorsman”, he is particularly passionate about high-altitude hiking. His long-term goal is to promote integrity as well as social and environmental justice in the engineering sector.
Morategi Kale matriculated from Pretoria High School for Girls in 2013. She is studying for a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree majoring in Politics and Philosophy. She is a member of the United Nations Association of South Africa at UCT, and also serves on the Varietas Residence House Committee. She is heavily involved in the youth programmes of the South African Institute of International Affairs. In the long term, Morategi plans to play a significant role in ensuring that national and international policies have a positive impact on society.
Ziyanda Kebeni matriculated in 2013 from Thandokhulu High School in Cape Town. She is studying for a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biochemistry and Chemistry. She is a member of the UCT Student Christian Fellowship, a high school tutor, and a poet. Her ambition is to be a ground-breaking scientist that will bring change from the laboratories, firstly to Africa and then to the world at large.
Gifton Lamola matriculated in 2012 from M.E. Makgato Secondary School in Polokwane. He is a passionate number cruncher and strategic thinker studying towards a Bachelor of Business Science degree majoring in Actuarial Science. He is a member of ABSIP and ASABA at UCT, and tutors a suite of courses ranging from Statistics to Actuarial Science options. He strives to create (for the students he mentors) an atmosphere of professionalism and interactive learning. Outside class, he loves hiking. His ambition in the long term is to play a significant role in promoting social entrepreneurship and academic enrichment for young people across all backgrounds and from all over the continent, thus equipping them with the skills to make the most out of the ventures they choose to engage in.
Kamohelo Mabogwane matriculated in 2013 from Springs Girls’ High School in Springs, Johannesburg. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English Language and Literature, and Philosophy. At UCT, she is involved with TeachOut, the Fuller Hall Outreach Sub-Committee, as well as writing and editing for VARSITY newspaper. She is also a mentor for Fuller Hall Residence and the Humanities Faculty. Kamohelo believes that, by influencing people through her writing, she can promote the edification of South Africa and Africa.
Namhla Mabombo matriculated in 2011 from Molly Blackburn High School in Uitenhage near Port Elizabeth. She is currently studying towards a BSc (Engineering) degree in Mechatronics. She is a member of the Young Woman Professionals of the Investment Society. A mentor in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, and for high school girls in her home town, Namhla also plays netball for the Woolsack Residence. Within her field, her ambition is to become a project manager heading up amazing projects. She has long-term plans to found a non-governmental organisation aimed at helping young people from the townships to reach University, in order to fight unemployment and lack of skills on the African continent.
Khanye Nhlonipho matriculated in 2013 from Umlazi Comprehensive Technical High School in Umlazi Township, Durban. He is studying for a Bachelor of Business Science degree majoring in Finance with Accounting. He is a member of Kilindini Residence House Committee, where he serves as the O-Week, Culture and Entertainment representative as well as the RAG agent. He also serves as a member of the Inter-Residence Disciplinary Committee. His ambition in the long term is to play a significant role in grooming and nurturing young talent in the townships, which is often unrealised due to lack of resources and opportunities. He also wants to become a symbol of hope for those who previously thought they could not make it in life.
Mogamat Dayaan Salie matriculated from Claremont High School as a top achiever for 2013. He is studying for a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree majoring in Economics & International Relations. He is the treasurer of Amnesty International UCT. Dayaan has experience as an actor in feature films, and as a motivational public speaker. He is also a keen hiker and chess player. His long term ambition is to form a key part in the coalition for social development between the private sector and South African non-governmental organisations.
Matthias Schulz matriculated in 2013 from the German School in Cape Town with a combined Matric and German A-Level certificate. He is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is a member of the student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and has particular interest in microelectronics and green energy. Outside of engineering, he has interests in astronomy and current affairs. His ambition is to promote the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) sector in African countries and to ensure that Africa plays a larger international role in scientific discovery and technological innovation.
Keabetswe Bonolo Skee matriculated in 2012 from St Michael's School in Bloemfontein. She is studying towards a BSc (Eng) degree in Chemical Engineering. At UCT, she is a member of Engineers Without Borders, the Consulting Club and the Black Management Forum. Her lifelong goal is to educate South Africans in order to produce more South Africans who are conscious of the context in which they live, so that they do not wait for change to come, but are agents of that change.
Thembelihle Zulu matriculated in 2013 from Port Shepstone High School. She is studying for a Bachelor of Business Science degree majoring in Finance and Accounting. She is the Academic Officer for the Education Development Unit Student Organisation, and enjoys playing netball in her spare time. Thembelihle is passionate about education and women empowerment, and in the long term, hopes to start businesses for the sole purpose of social and economic transformation.
Jacqualine van Zyl matriculated in 2013 from Krugersdorp High School in Johannesburg. She is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, majoring in International Relations and Gender Studies. Jacqui is an active member of the Church on Main Society, the Red Frogs Organisation, and the Girl Guides Association of South Africa. She is actively involved in the mentorship programme in her residence, Tugwell Hall. In the years to come, Jacqui intends on working for an organisation such as the United Nations, and eventually establishing a non-profit organisation focusing on sexual rights of women in Africa.