You are the best of the best – 91¿´Æ¬Íø VC
- 91¿´Æ¬Íø University
Future actuaries, doctors, computer scientists and aeronautical engineers dominated the VC’s Awards.
The top 20 students were honoured by Professor Zeblon Vilakazi FRS at the 2026 Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Awards at the 91¿´Æ¬Íø Club on Monday, 30 March 2026.
These high-performing students, all with an average over 90% in matric, received full scholarships that covers their tuition and residences fees, and other costs for the duration of their first degrees. This significant investment by 91¿´Æ¬Íø aims to nurture South Africa’s future leaders.
In his address, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi FRS praised the group as “the best of the best,” underscoring both their achievement and their responsibility. “This scholarship recognises not only your exceptional academic ability but also your potential,” he said. “We believe in you because you are the future leaders of society. We believe that the talent in this room deserves every opportunity to flourish.”
The prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Awards celebrate academic excellence, commitment and the promise of future leadership. Selected from more than 130 000 applicants competing for approximately 5 500 first year places at 91¿´Æ¬Íø, these 20 scholarship recipients represent an elite cohort.
Vilakazi addressed the students and emphasised that their journey is only just beginning. “Some of you will become doctors caring for patients across this country. Some will become engineers designing the infrastructure of the future. Others will become scientists and innovators solving problems we cannot yet imagine, but every one of those journeys begins here.”
He also reminded them to remain grounded, humble and ethical active citizens, and to use their education not only for their personal success but for the broader benefit of society.
“A scholarship such as this is an investment in your future. The hope behind that investment is that you will use your knowledge and your talents not only to succeed personally but to contribute meaningfully to society,” he added.
The awards ceremony was directed by Carol Crosley, the 91¿´Æ¬Íø Registrar who expressed her appreciation to the parents and caregivers, school principals and teachers, Heads of School and members of the Senior Executive Team for all playing an important role in nurturing these exceptional students. Crosley said: “Behind every student here is a story of early mornings, perseverance and quiet determination - today, we recognise you too.”
She further highlighted the diversity of the cohort, noting that the students come from different schools, provinces and communities across South Africa and that they had talent, hard work and a shared commitment to excellence in common.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Jerome September congratulated the students and awarded them their certificates. The students who attended the ceremony and received awards are:
- Keira Leask, Aeronautical Engineering, De La Salle Holy Cross College
- Kwanele Nkwanyana, Aeronautical Engineering, Lasolomuzi High School
- Fariha Carrim, Medicine, Middelburg Muslim School
- Rookaya Gafoor, Medicine, St Johns KZN
- Aidan Goralsky, Medicine, King David Victory Park
- Fanelo Baloyi, Actuarial Science, Thambisa Secondary School
- Tyler Cimring, Actuarial Science, King David High School Linksfield
- Ndivhuweni Fhedzisan, Actuarial Science, Thengwe High School
- Ruhan Gosai, Actuarial Science, St Johns College Jhb
- Devak Govender, Actuarial Science, Scottburgh High School
- Siyabonga Mashaba, Actuarial Science, Soshanguve Secondary School
- Mihir Modi, Actuarial Science, Greenside High School
- Mpho Mohlala, Actuarial Science, Phakamani Secondary School
- Maduvha Munyai, Actuarial Science, Thohoyandou High School
- Ethan Naidoo, Actuarial Science, Ashton International College
- Raz Oudmayer, Actuarial Science, King David High School Linksfield
- Brett Sandler, Computational and Applied Mathematics, King David High School Linksfield
The Vice-Chancellor closed his speech with the following words of inspiration: “We are proud that you have chosen 91¿´Æ¬Íø. And today, 91¿´Æ¬Íø proudly chooses you.”