| Ayabulela Yokwe is a MBChB student. During her school career, she was immersed in extracurricular and leadership opportunities. At UCT, she co-founded the UCT chapter of the Planetary Report Card, an international student-led initiative aimed at improving sustainability in health professional education. She is a member of SHAWCO and serves on the Rainbow UCT executive committee at the Medical Campus. Long-term, she hopes to work with global organisations like Doctors Without Borders and Rotary International. Her goal is not only to treat illness, but to tackle its systemic roots - from housing to nutrition to opportunity. |
| Brydwell Ngcobo is a law and psychology student in the Humanities Faculty. Due to his family circumstances, he had to teach himself for his matric year and achieved four distinctions. At UCT, he served as the sports representative for his residence and as a class representative for first-year maths courses. He serves as a mentor for first-year students in Humanities and Law. He volunteers for the Disability Services and is the subwarden for Liesbeeck Gardens. He has been selected as a 2026 Law Faculty orientation leader. He wants to become the best prosecutor he can be. To bring justice and reliance on the law for the vast majority in society, whose belief in it has waned in recent years. |
| Eneene-Hakhakhi Rambuda is an Audiology student. In high school, she contributed to various committees and learning organisations. She was Deputy Head girl and a member of the Learners' Representative Council. At UCT, she serves as a peer mentor for first-year students and volunteers for SHAWCO's audiology clinics. She envisions herself as a clinical audiologist and advocate who will bring hearing care services to neglected and remote areas of South Africa. She is committed to using her skills and passion to uplift others and contribute to a more inclusive, empowered South Africa.
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| Faith Ngoma is a BA Law student, majoring in Law and Sociology. She has served as a professional tutor, waitress, and cashier, each role offering valuable insight into diverse working environments and building her empathy and resilience. She actively contributes to several student-led organisations at UCT, including the Black Law Students’ Council (BLASC), the UCT Consulting Club, and Women in Law. She mentors and tutors students in her residence. Faith aims to help build a South Africa where fairness is realised and justice is truly accessible. |
| Justine Kaba is a BA Theatre and Performance student. At high school, she was a member of athletics, swimming, hockey, social tennis, first aid, drama and debating. She was Head Girl and head of the Interact Society, the Representative Class Leader, and the debating society. At UCT, she is the class representative for three courses and a residence peer mentor. She has completed internships and served as an assistant director for one of the fourth-year productions in her first year. She has been involved in set design and building for renowned theatre practitioner Jay Pather. Her long-term plan is to establish a production company that primarily focuses on uplifting and sharing the stories of African people.
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| Karabo Maramegane is a Humanities student majoring in Psychology and Sociology. In high school, he was the captain of the swimming and water polo teams. In his matric year, he was the deputy head of house, head of discipline and the vice-captain for the South African U18 Men’s Water Polo team, vice-captain of the Choral Society and captain of the Choral Society Bass section. For three years, he was the leader of his church’s holiday club programme. He is a member of the UCT Water Polo Club, and this year he was elected as captain of the South African U20 Men’s Water Polo team. He coaches hockey and water polo and is an advocate for mental health. |
| Nandi Nhlapo is a Bachelor of Business Science student, specialising in Statistics and Data Science. At school, she was Head Student and a member of the Newsletter Committee. She was involved in volunteer work around her community, participating in local clean-up efforts, school tutoring, and helping with donation drives and a fundraising campaign. At UCT, Nandi serves as an academic tutor and a Fuller Hall residence tutor. She is a first-year mentor and is a member of the Green Campus Initiative and the Culture and Drama Subcommittee. Nandi aims to become a data scientist who uses information not only to drive business innovation, but to inform policy that improves lives—especially in underserved communities.
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| Quinlon Primo is a Humanities student majoring in law and sociology. At school, she was part of the prefect committee, a house captain, and a co-leader of an outreach programme. In her community, she assists with a soup kitchen. AT UCT, she is a first-year mentor and tutor. She is a member of the Women in Law Society and the Black Lawyers Association. Quinlon joined the UNICEF volunteers’ programme, where she provides guidance and education to children. She initiated a community project, “Hands united for justice”, which provides young girls with a safe space. She aims to become a candidate attorney at a law firm specialising in human rights protection. |
| Sibongakonke Mthembu is a Bachelor of Business Science student majoring in Finance. He was elected as the Treasurer for his residence House Committee and chaired the Treasury Subcommittee. He is a residence tutor and an active member of SASCO UCT, where he serves in the political education subcommittee. In high school, he served as an RCL representative during his matric year. He initiated a free tutoring project in his community and volunteers at a Frail and Day Care Centre. He produces motivational content on YouTube to encourage learners. In the future, he wants to invest in education and solutions to address unemployment.
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| Sinalo Nyamba is a BCom Accounting student. At school, she was a member of enrichment and youth empowerment programmes, including the Soul Buddyz Club, YouLead Initiative, Project90 by 2030, Educo Africa, STEM Club Network, ProMaths, and 100UP. She was a prefect from Grade 4 to Grade 9 and a library monitor. She was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (Bronze Level) through Project90, a social and environmental justice organisation. She joined the STEM Club Network and was nominated as the group leader. Sinalo aims to contribute to building a better South Africa by empowering others to make informed financial decisions, thereby living with greater stability and dignity.
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| Talin Naidoo is a Mechatronics student. She was part of the Interact club, which worked with local orphanages and nursing homes. Talin was elected as the acting head leader at high school. She was selected as class representative for several courses and successfully established additional class contact time. She volunteered as a residence tutor and a mentor and was the Head Tutor for Avenue Road Residence. She is a member of Engineers without Borders. Through collaboration, mentorship, and continuous learning, she hopes to play a meaningful role in building a safer, smarter South Africa. |
| Thato Sipoyo is an English, Media & Writing Humanities student. In high school, she was part of the Columba Leadership Programme, which helps learners realise their potential and recognise their ability to lead change in their own lives, their schools and communities. Thato was elected as secretary for the programme. She volunteered at a local orphanage and in her matric year, she was selected to her school’s Leadership Management Team. She plans to carry the values and skills she learned into SASCO UCT’s Political Education, Research and Writing Subcommittee. She aims to gain more knowledge in various aspects of writing that will enable her to become a better writer and leader of the future |
| Tshegofatso Pooe is a Speech-Language Pathology student. In high school, she was selected for the Wits Integrated Programme, designed to foster students' critical thinking and creativity. She was part of the newspaper committee, the chess club and the music club. She was elected as a student representative. She worked as a volunteer librarian and was part of the Hands Committee, where she assisted and volunteered at local community centres. She is a class representative and is a member of UCT SHAWCO. Her dream is to make speech therapy equally accessible to all, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
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| Tyler Swanepooel is majoring in Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology in the Science Faculty. At 13 years old, she organised a fundraiser for the Franschhoek SPCA, raising over R20000. She was the treasurer of her school's Interact Club, which she received the Silver President's Award for. Tyler spent time doing homework with pre-primary children. She was a member of the Western Cape Gymnastics Team and played netball. She was the House Captain of the Student Leadership Team. She works part-time in a restaurant. She realises that her commitment to bettering society can be through the research and laboratory side of medicine. |