BLOEMFONTEIN – The University of the Free State (UFS) and Novus Media’s 45th Matriculant of the Year competition today announces its top group: a group of well-rounded matriculants from 15 schools across the country.
Of the top group, 14 finalists – 11 girls and three boys – will take part in the final round at the Monte Bello Estate outside Bloemfontein from 5 to 7 October.
The candidates are recognised not only for their academic achievements, but also for their leadership, sporting and cultural accomplishments. Many of the learners are also actively involved at their schools and in their communities.
The remaining 11 semifinalists also qualify for prize money and study bursaries made possible by the competition’s sponsors.
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Sponsors and prizes
The Kovsie Alumni Trust is once again the main sponsor of the competition, contributing R125 000. Other sponsors are Absa (R120 000), Pick n Pay Preller Walk (kitchenware for the 14 finalists) and Forvis Mazars (R35 500).
Winner: R25 000 in prize money after registering in 2027, paid into an Absa account, as well as a R15 000 UFS Student Recruitment bursary.
14 finalists: Each receives R13 000 in prize money after registration, a R10 000 study bursary and other gifts from the sponsors.
11 semifinalists: Each receives R6 000 in prize money and a R5 000 UFS study bursary after registering in 2027.
The finalists and their parents will be thoroughly spoilt during the final round as part of the celebrations surrounding the climax of the competition.
During the final judging in Bloemfontein, the 14 finalists will, among other things, be interviewed by representatives of the sponsors. The competition’s auditors, Forvis Mazars, will be present throughout to ensure the judging process runs smoothly and fairly.
Here are the 14 finalists and 11 semifinalists in alphabetical order:
Finalists
Tamim Alam, Grey College, Bloemfontein. 
Nana Amoah, Bloemfontein High School. 
Francois Cilliers, Grey College, Bloemfontein. 
Danelle Conradie, Hoërskool Hartswater. 
Jenna du Plessis, Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, Bloemfontein. 
Sumari Eksteen, Witteberg High School, Bethlehem. 
Kananelo Khoarane, Eunice High School, Bloemfontein. 
Gloria Nkosana, Lawson Brown High School, Gqeberha. 
Inke Rademeyer, Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, Bloemfontein. 
Jana Ross, Hoërskool Hennenman. 
Lienka Stevens, Eunice High School, Bloemfontein. 
Stephan Uys, Witteberg High School, Bethlehem. 
Emri van Zyl, Hoërskool Transvalia, Vanderbijlpark. 
Zané Wessels, Witteberg High School, Bethlehem.
Semifinalists
Xavier Branco, Grey College, Bloemfontein. 
Aidan Britz, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein. 
Lené de Kock, Langenhoven-Gimnasium, Oudtshoorn. 
Kristen Engelbrecht, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein. 
Juliette Schoeman, Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, Bloemfontein. 
Nigella Siebert, Goudveld-Hoërskool, Welkom. 
Melani Slabbert, Hoërskool Jim Fouché, Bloemfontein. 
Lisa Steyn, Hoërskool Sentraal, Bloemfontein. 
Mari Truter, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein. 
Nestine van Rooyen, Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, Bloemfontein. 
Linda van Wyk, Hoërskool Durbanville.
