{"id":301174,"date":"2026-06-04T07:42:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T05:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T07:48:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T05:48:40","slug":"matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BLOEMFONTEIN <\/strong>\u2013 The Kovsie Alumni Trust<\/a>\u2019s (KAT) involvement in the Matriculant of the Year competition aligns closely with the trust\u2019s commitment to empowering young people through education, leadership development, and the creation of opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is according to Bertie Haasbroek, chairperson of KAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe competition celebrates academic excellence, resilience and potential \u2013 values that are essential for building a stronger South Africa. By supporting initiatives that recognise and uplift matric learners, we contribute to creating pathways for future leaders while encouraging a culture of achievement, integrity, and community impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learners challenged to think beyond classroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This competition, presented by the University of the Free State (UFS)<\/a> and Novus Media, helps matric learners develop the qualities they need to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday\u2019s matriculants need resilience, adaptability, critical thinking, communication skills, and a willingness to keep learning. Academic achievement alone is no longer enough \u2013 young people must also be able to collaborate, solve problems creatively, and lead with confidence and integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ<\/strong>: Matriculant of the Year | Novus Media\u2019s involvement a vote of confidence in SA youth<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haasbroek says the competition challenges learners to present themselves professionally, think beyond the classroom, and engage in opportunities that require discipline, confidence, and leadership. It encourages both personal and academic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLife takes us through dangerous roads, twists, drifts, rivers, tsunamis, and deserts. But those who start preparing early enough (at school) are better equipped to navigate life. Sport has already taught them about winning and losing; culture has already taught them about being average or outstanding, and about creativity. Leadership positions have already taught them that popularity fades, and that norms and values will take you further than applause ever will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haasbroek says South Africa\u2019s youth face significant challenges. These include inequality, limited access to opportunities, and uncertainty about the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInitiatives like this provide recognition, encouragement and exposure to opportunities that many young people would otherwise never receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt motivates learners to strive for excellence and shows them hard work and dedication are valued. Competitions of this nature also help build confidence and inspire young people to believe in their own potential, regardless of their background.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Matriculant<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Former finalist shares his experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Burgert van Heerden, a finalist last year and now a first-year medical student, agrees the competition boosted his self-esteem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we first worked in a group, and the group chose me as the leader, I had to stop my smile from reaching my ears!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former learner of Ho\u00ebr Landbouskool Marlow in Cradock says he surprised himself with how quickly he adapted to all the new people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was always difficult for me to open up and get comfortable around others, but I decided I was just going to give the final round my best shot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His decision paid off and, to his surprise, he was voted Sparkling Personality by his fellow finalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the majority of the finalists, like Van Heerden, wanted to study medicine, they were able to meet future classmates and build friendships, meaning they already knew people on their first day as students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His advice to this year\u2019s finalists is to not take the final round too seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuild relationships, and who knows, maybe you\u2019ll form friendships that last a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to enter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Matric learners from across the country who excel in academics, culture and sport, and who want to study at the UFS next year, can enter the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scholarships, prize money and gifts worth around R500 000 are up for grabs for the top 25 participants, sponsored by UFS Student Recruitment Services, the Kovsie Alumni Trust, Forvis Mazars, Absa and Pick n Pay Preller Walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learners may enter themselves or be nominated by their schools. Twenty-five semifinalists will be selected, with 14 finalists taking part in the final round in Bloemfontein from 5 to 7 October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scan the QR code or click here<\/a> to download the entry form; complete it; and return it by 31 July to Linda Greyling at greylinl@ufs.ac.za.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Matriculant<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This competition, presented by the University of the Free State (UFS) and Novus Media, helps matric learners develop the qualities they need to succeed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":301175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[0],"_EventVenueID":[0],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"author_byline":"Siska Martin","competition_end_date":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","language_version_url":"","post_language":"en","video_embed_url":"","scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,7852],"tags":[7947,9979,8376,7909,9095],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-301174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-school","tag-education","tag-kovsie-alumni-trust","tag-novus-media","tag-recommended","tag-university-of-the-free-state-2"],"yoast_head":"\nMatriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities | Noordkaap Bulletin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Kovsie Alumni Trust\u2019s (KAT) involvement in the Matriculant of the Year competition aligns closely with the trust\u2019s commitment to empowering young people.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Kovsie Alumni Trust\u2019s (KAT) involvement in the Matriculant of the Year competition aligns closely with the trust\u2019s commitment to empowering young people.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Noordkaap Bulletin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NoordkaapBulletin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-04T05:42:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-04T05:48:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"2173\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Siska Martin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Madr\u00e9 Marais\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Madr\u00e9 Marais\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/fc29419cadbc076e55ec3a3412c00801\"},\"headline\":\"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-04T05:42:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-04T05:48:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":667,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Education\",\"Kovsie Alumni Trust\",\"novus media\",\"Recommended\",\"University of the Free State\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\",\"Schools\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/\",\"name\":\"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities | Noordkaap Bulletin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-04T05:42:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-04T05:48:40+00:00\",\"description\":\"The Kovsie Alumni Trust\u2019s (KAT) involvement in the Matriculant of the Year competition aligns closely with the trust\u2019s commitment to empowering young people.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":2173,\"caption\":\"With Bertie Haasbroek, chairperson of the Kovsie Alumni Trust, are Burgert van Heerden and Karla Marais. Van Heerden received the Sparkling Personality award last year, while Marais received the same award in 2024. PHOTO: Charl Devenish\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/\",\"name\":\"NoordkaapBulletin\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"NoordkaapBulletin\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/noordkaap-bulletin-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/noordkaap-bulletin-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"NoordkaapBulletin\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/NoordkaapBulletin\\\/\"],\"description\":\"The NoordkaapBulletin is a regional newspaper based in Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape of South Africa. It has a long-standing history of serving the community with news and information pertinent to the region. The newspaper, distributed in the capital and more than 20 towns, is also read online in other parts of the vast province, and has been an important source of information for residents of the Northern Cape. The publication is geared towards Afrikaans and English-speaking readers, with the content reflecting the cultural diversity of the province. Like the other regional newspapers in South Africa, NoordkaapBulletin has had to adapt to changing media landscapes, including the rise of digital news platforms. However, it remains a significant part of the media landscape in the Northern Cape, helping to keep communities informed and connected.\",\"email\":\"noordkaapbulletin@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27514047600\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/fc29419cadbc076e55ec3a3412c00801\",\"name\":\"Madr\u00e9 Marais\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d12d252161a325676309d461b5f3b7547d906dd2d49e7448f92bc8d0ed954f34?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d12d252161a325676309d461b5f3b7547d906dd2d49e7448f92bc8d0ed954f34?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d12d252161a325676309d461b5f3b7547d906dd2d49e7448f92bc8d0ed954f34?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Madr\u00e9 Marais\"},\"description\":\"Chief subeditor for Novus Media Community News in the Free State and Northern Cape, proud to work together with the team on five weekly titles: BloemNews, BloemExpress, NoordkaapBulletin, VrystaatKroon and Vista.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/noordkaapbulletin\\\/author\\\/madre\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities | Noordkaap Bulletin","description":"The Kovsie Alumni Trust\u2019s (KAT) involvement in the Matriculant of the Year competition aligns closely with the trust\u2019s commitment to empowering young people.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities","og_description":"The Kovsie Alumni Trust\u2019s (KAT) involvement in the Matriculant of the Year competition aligns closely with the trust\u2019s commitment to empowering young people.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/","og_site_name":"Noordkaap Bulletin","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NoordkaapBulletin\/","article_published_time":"2026-06-04T05:42:21+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-04T05:48:40+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":2173,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Siska Martin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Madr\u00e9 Marais","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/"},"author":{"name":"Madr\u00e9 Marais","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#\/schema\/person\/fc29419cadbc076e55ec3a3412c00801"},"headline":"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities","datePublished":"2026-06-04T05:42:21+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-04T05:48:40+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/"},"wordCount":667,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg","keywords":["Education","Kovsie Alumni Trust","novus media","Recommended","University of the Free State"],"articleSection":["News","Schools"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/","name":"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities | Noordkaap Bulletin","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-04T05:42:21+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-04T05:48:40+00:00","description":"The Kovsie Alumni Trust\u2019s (KAT) involvement in the Matriculant of the Year competition aligns closely with the trust\u2019s commitment to empowering young people.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg","width":2560,"height":2173,"caption":"With Bertie Haasbroek, chairperson of the Kovsie Alumni Trust, are Burgert van Heerden and Karla Marais. Van Heerden received the Sparkling Personality award last year, while Marais received the same award in 2024. PHOTO: Charl Devenish"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition-cultivates-leadership-and-opportunities\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Matriculant of the Year | Competition cultivates leadership and opportunities"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/","name":"NoordkaapBulletin","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#organization","name":"NoordkaapBulletin","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/noordkaap-bulletin-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/noordkaap-bulletin-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"NoordkaapBulletin"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NoordkaapBulletin\/"],"description":"The NoordkaapBulletin is a regional newspaper based in Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape of South Africa. It has a long-standing history of serving the community with news and information pertinent to the region. The newspaper, distributed in the capital and more than 20 towns, is also read online in other parts of the vast province, and has been an important source of information for residents of the Northern Cape. The publication is geared towards Afrikaans and English-speaking readers, with the content reflecting the cultural diversity of the province. Like the other regional newspapers in South Africa, NoordkaapBulletin has had to adapt to changing media landscapes, including the rise of digital news platforms. However, it remains a significant part of the media landscape in the Northern Cape, helping to keep communities informed and connected.","email":"noordkaapbulletin@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27514047600","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/#\/schema\/person\/fc29419cadbc076e55ec3a3412c00801","name":"Madr\u00e9 Marais","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d12d252161a325676309d461b5f3b7547d906dd2d49e7448f92bc8d0ed954f34?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d12d252161a325676309d461b5f3b7547d906dd2d49e7448f92bc8d0ed954f34?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d12d252161a325676309d461b5f3b7547d906dd2d49e7448f92bc8d0ed954f34?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Madr\u00e9 Marais"},"description":"Chief subeditor for Novus Media Community News in the Free State and Northern Cape, proud to work together with the team on five weekly titles: BloemNews, BloemExpress, NoordkaapBulletin, VrystaatKroon and Vista.","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/author\/madre\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KAT-scaled-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":299977,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-competition\/","url_meta":{"origin":301174,"position":0},"title":"Matriculant of the Year | Enter to gain the opportunity of a lifetime","author":"Madr\u00e9 Marais","date":"7 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Matriculants from across the country who are leaders and achievers in academics, culture and sport, and who plan to study at the UFS next year, can enter.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The vice-chancellor and principal of the UFS, Prof. Hester C. Klopper, with the 2025 winner of the Matriculant of the Year competition, Kiara Subramanian.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UFS-e1778147618296.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UFS-e1778147618296.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UFS-e1778147618296.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UFS-e1778147618296.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UFS-e1778147618296.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UFS-e1778147618296.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":269514,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/steinkopf-high-school-celebrates-80-years-of-pride-and-tradition\/","url_meta":{"origin":301174,"position":1},"title":"Steinkopf High School celebrates 80 years of pride and tradition","author":"Noordkaap Bulletin","date":"1 September 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Steinkopf High School (SHS) in the Northern Cape celebrates its 80th anniversary this year with the main festival from 15 to 19 October.","rel":"","context":"In "Community"","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Steinkopf High School","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/540006372_3602100469923988_3925899063222608657_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/540006372_3602100469923988_3925899063222608657_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/540006372_3602100469923988_3925899063222608657_n.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/540006372_3602100469923988_3925899063222608657_n.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/540006372_3602100469923988_3925899063222608657_n.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":300670,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/matriculant-of-the-year-2026-media-partner-invests-in-youth\/","url_meta":{"origin":301174,"position":2},"title":"Matriculant of the Year | Novus Media\u2019s involvement a vote of confidence in SA youth","author":"Madr\u00e9 Marais","date":"21 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe competition improved my self-confidence. It taught me to trust my abilities and to be proud of my achievements, hard work, and personality.\"","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Liam-Lloyd Doman, a 2025 finalist and first-year medical student, with Jeannine van Zyl, Novus Media\u2019s head of premium publications and content. Doman says the competition took him out of his comfort zone and forced him to become more confident. \u201cIt made me realise that I can adapt in situations where I would previously have hesitated or stepped back.\u201d","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam-Lloyd-Doman-en-Jeannine-van-Zyl-Foto-Lientjie-Mentz-scaled-e1779354909937.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam-Lloyd-Doman-en-Jeannine-van-Zyl-Foto-Lientjie-Mentz-scaled-e1779354909937.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam-Lloyd-Doman-en-Jeannine-van-Zyl-Foto-Lientjie-Mentz-scaled-e1779354909937.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam-Lloyd-Doman-en-Jeannine-van-Zyl-Foto-Lientjie-Mentz-scaled-e1779354909937.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam-Lloyd-Doman-en-Jeannine-van-Zyl-Foto-Lientjie-Mentz-scaled-e1779354909937.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam-Lloyd-Doman-en-Jeannine-van-Zyl-Foto-Lientjie-Mentz-scaled-e1779354909937.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"NovaNews","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/301174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=301174"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/301174\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":301176,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/301174\/revisions\/301176"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/301175"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=301174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=301174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=301174"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=301174"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=301174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}