Top student-athletes shine brightly at Wits University graduations 2022
- Tshepiso Mametela
A new wave of Wits graduates sent ripples across the institution as the group earned their academic stripes at the recent graduation ceremonies hosted at the University Library Lawns from 19 to 29 April.
Wits Sport’s talented hoard of student-athletes was no exception as, replicating the on-field exploits for which they are known, shone by taking to the podium to accept their respective prizes.
A total of eight established Wits basketball players achieved the spectacular milestone, including Sindiswa Mabunda (BCom Hons), Ipeleng Nyatlo (BCom), Isira Jayamanna Mohottalalage (BA), Clinton Meela (BSc), Thandiwe Nqanda (BA) and Amanda Khumalo (BA Hons).
Sarah Wright (BSc Hons) and Fatima Daya (BSc) also attained a feather in their caps among several athletes from the Wits Ultimate Frisbee Club. Meela said it was an honour to be among the recent graduates, giving special mention to those who supported him on his journey.
“All this is through the support I get from my family and friends, especially my mom. I’m also thankful to Wits Sport and my teammates for helping me achieve this goal. My field is science, so I plan to assist federations with diet plans and teach them the importance of good health.
“I want to open a laboratory in a township and do workshops for kids who want to study science. With the help of friends from other fields, we will organise career days to encourage them to realise their dreams,” added Meela, noting how he hopes to use his qualification.
Khumalo expressed excitement for finally attaining the qualification that a relative, now late, encouraged her to pursue. “It’s hard to put into words if, to be honest. It means the world to me.
“I lost my gran in May 2021, who, throughout my schooling career, coaxed me to keep on keeping on. She stressed the importance of education for a black female, and graduating as a student-athlete is the cherry on top,” said Khumalo.
“Student-athletes who graduate from Wits are not your average Joe. Excelling in more than one area is huge. However, in its entirety, [graduating] was bittersweet because I got what I came for but left behind a community that sometimes carried me without even knowing it.”
For Wright, whose graduation comes 30 years after her father, a Wits alumni, got his BSc Honours in Chemistry, balancing her exploits in the field and her studies was not an easy task, but in the end, she found the mix worked well.
“It certainly has been a challenge and a good one at that. Often, the fresh air and exercise from practice are just what I needed to get a break from my studies. It helped to get refreshed to study better,” said Wright.
To encourage up and coming student-athletes, who aspire to be successful sportsmen and women while pursuing their education, she said: “It is hard but so worth it. You only have your university time once, and you should make the most of it.
“Be intentional in what you do and how you do this, whether on the field or in your studies. This way, you can focus on what is on hand and have time for the sport and studies.”
Wits Student-Athlete Graduates
Wits Rugby
- Neil Nyambe - BSc Property Studies
- Asher Meyerowitz – BSc Construction Studies
- Thomas Berman – BA Human Resources Management
- Anton Gerber – BA Human Resources Management
- Tshepang Rampete – BSc Property Studies (Women's Rugby Team Manager)
- Chardele Williamson – Bachelor of Arts
- Noluthando Nwaba – Bachelor of Arts
- Amanda Dukada – BSc Construction Studies (Women's Rugby Team Manager)
- Keagan Lailvaux – BSc Physiotherapy
Wits Football
- Ayanda Ncube – BA Media Studies and International Relations
- Matthew Welgemoed – Bachelor of Arts
- Hazel Ngwenya – BA Political Studies and International Relations
- Karabelo Manana – Bcom Accounting
- Masilakhe Thuntubele – Master of Science in Development Planning
- Njabulo Makhanya – BSc Construction Studies
- Neo Maja – BSc Mathematics of Finance
Wits Volleyball
- Jessica Mlambo – Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
Wits Water polo
- Teaghan Stoop – BA in Psychology and Archaeology