DHL GradStar Awards 2022 – “10 of the Finest” winners demonstrate representative approach of GradStar

Read More

*Represented students announced at end of the article and also at www.gradstar.com

On 1 December 2022, the DHL GradStar Awards wowed with the diverse and inclusive stance they take in identifying South Africa’s future leaders. 

There is no more nationally focussed graduate employment programme in the country. 2022 featured entries from 52 tertiary learning institutions nationally and received almost 8 000 individual student applications. The commitment to the democratisation of access to opportunity in employment for these young learners is what keeps this programme alive, and was clearly demonstrated at this year’s event. 

GradStar has now completed its seventh year around the sun, and is responsible for promoting and securing the employment of hundreds of South Africa’s youth. Unlike university career fairs, GradStar partners with learning institutions from across the country to ensure all tertiary learners receive the opportunity to be profiled in front of the country’s top employers. In addition to long-term headline partner DHL, the prominent organisations behind this youth upliftment initiative are Absa, Fasken, Epiroc, Gautrain and BMW. Other key partners include Avis, Imperial and the Golden Key International Honours Society. 

Laura Barker, founder of the GradStar Awards and CEO of BlackBark Productions, with Hennie Heymans, CEO for DHL Express, Sub-Saharan Africa.

Partnering with the FutureFit Academy, the brainchild of Industrial Psychologist Dr Eric Albertini, GradStar identifies the most employable learners according to the criteria of 15 Future Fit Skills needed in the workplace. These criteria are the result of Dr Albertini’s PhD thesis and have been adopted by organisations internationally (www.futurefitacademy.com). 

All candidate applications go through the GradStar App, a new initiative that further demonstrates GradStar’s commitment to inclusivity. The candidates complete a self-assessment online to stand a chance of becoming selected for the Top 500. Once selected, the experts at the FutureFit Academy pore for hours over the submissions which comprise a key skills indicator, a complimentary full Future Fit strengths report and a two-minute video presentation from each candidate. Clearly demonstrating their understanding of the market they are dealing with, GradStar requires that the learners not only complete the Future Fit assessment and receive their detailed report, but also complete a personal development plan based on the findings in the report, guaranteeing these young people find the time to analyse their own personal results. A win for all involved. 

Once the Top 100 most employable students are identified, GradStar transports all 100 into Johannesburg for a 4-day employment immersion extravaganza. GradStar and its sponsors carry all the cost for this once again demonstrating their commitment to democratising access to opportunity for all. 

The Top 100 students in attendance were striking in both their diversity and their commonality, hailing from all corners of the country, and studying a multitude of courses. They all had a common commitment to employment, for the betterment of their communities and for social justice. 

Laura Barker, founder of the GradStar Awards and CEO of BlackBark Productions, observed: “It is critical that employers stay relevant and visible to the workforce of the future. Through the GradStar Programme we have found a way to bridge the gap between the learning institution and the world of work. We are delighted to play a part in the employment of so many young people, who may not otherwise have been recognised.” 

Master Judge Dr Albertini had the following to say about the 2022 Top 100: “I found the calibre of entries to be extremely high, and the results reflect all the qualities and attributes of a successful future employee.”

Paul Clegg from DHL — which has demonstrated its commitment to supporting talent through this programme for the past five years — commented: “We are thrilled to be associated with the GradStar programme, as we believe there is no better investment to make than in the future leaders of the great country of ours, and it is without question that the top 100 GradStar selected students fit into that category.”

During the day on 1 December, the Top 100 Finalists engaged in a full day of workshops, in which all the students had the opportunity to impress the Sponsor Employers and judges. This is how the “10 of the Finest” were chosen and announced at the Gala Dinner that evening, at the Indaba Hotel In Fourways.  Many of the Top 100 finalists go on to receive employment opportunities from the partnering companies. 

Employers were unanimous in their praise of the Top 10 students selected. These students were selected based on their leadership capabilities, their ability to perform in a team and, most importantly, because they will make great future employees at some of the largest firms in the country. 

A big thank you to the GradStar App, its developers and the amazing BlackBark team, all of whom helped to make all this possible. Students can download the GradStar App for free from all app stores. 

We are also delighted to announce that DHL will remain the platinum partner for the programme for 2023. 

DHL GRADSTAR 2022 Top100

NameUniversityQualificationNthabiseng Desiree HlabahlabaBoston City Campus and Business College (PTY) LtdBachelor of Commerce in Management MarketingGabisile NzungaBoston City Campus and Business College (Pty) LtdHigher Certificate: Advertising and Integrated Communication PracticeJennisha DayanarainBoston City Campus and Business College (Pty) LtdDiploma in Human Resource ManagementFiya MabundaCape Peninsula University of TechnologyAdvanced Diploma in Human Resource ManagementJenalee GovenderDurban University of TechnologyBachelor of Technology: Engineering: MechanicalNikita SinghDurban University of TechnologyMaster of Technology: Engineering: ChemicalSiphindile RadebeDurban University of TechnologyBachelor of Engineering Technology in Chemical EngineeringZabathembu MthembuDurban University of Technology Bachelor of Technology: Engineering: CivilShaeel BaliramDurban University of TechnologyBachelor of Engineering Technology in Power EngineeringNevesan NaidooDurban University of Technology Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electronic EngineeringMonalisa MapapuNelson Mandela UniversityAdvanced Diploma in Business StudiesAlulutho CitaNelson Mandela UniversityBachelor of Technology: Human Resources ManagementYonela PeterNelson Mandela UniversityBachelor of Commerce: Financial PlanningHlengiwe NzamaNelson Mandela UniversityBachelor of Commerce: Financial PlanningAlfred Kwaku AdjeiNelson Mandela University Bachelor of LawsAshley van der WesthuizenNorth West UniversityBachelor of Arts Honours in Industrial and Organisational PsychologyRefilwe MolebatsiNorth West UniversityBachelor of CommercePaul PenyaneNorth West UniversityBachelor of LawsPhilani NgubaneNorth West UniversityBachelor of Health SciencesMosa SelekePearson Institute of Higher Education (Pty) Ltd (previously known as Midrand Graduate Institute) Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business ManagementTsebo Molatelo MolopePearson Institute of Higher Education (Pty) Ltd (previously known as Midrand Graduate Institute)Bachelor of Science Honours in Information TechnologyNqobile NzimandeRhodes UniversityPostgraduate Diploma in International StudiesRosemary RavhuhaliRhodes UniversityBachelor of LawsCasey LudickRhodes UniversityBachelor of Journalism and Media StudiesSinenhlanhla NcubeRhodes UniversityBachelor of PharmacyGisele LavitaStellenbosch UniversityDoctor of LawsMelt HugoStellenbosch UniversityBachelor of Science: Biological SciencesJacobus George van DykStellenbosch University Bachelor of EngineeringKeaton HarrisStellenbosch UniversityBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of SurgeryBantu ZwaneTshwane University of Technology (TUT)Advanced Diploma in Environmental SciencesArehone MatambeleUniversity of Cape TownBachelor of CommerceTrevana MoodleyUniversity of Cape TownMaster of Laws in Environmental LawMahima MaharajUniversity of Cape TownBachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical and Mechatronic EngineeringShatlyss RantaUniversity of Cape TownBachelor of CommerceAnnelisa CaniatUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Arts Honours in Employment RelationsLuyanda Sindiswa ZuluUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Arts: HumanitiesLindiwe SibisiUniversity of JohannesburgMaster of Arts in PhilosophyThobejane Modipadi KaraboUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Technology: Engineering: CivilTshiamo DikobeUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Arts in CommunicationTapiwa ChimombeUniversity of JohannesburgDiploma in Human Resource ManagementFelicia NdouUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of LawsMercy Tebogo BaloyiUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Commerce Honours in Human Resource ManagementNokwanda MkhwanaziUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory SciencesNozipho NgwenyaUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Arts in Community Development and LeadershipBridgette MebaloUniversity of Johannesburg Bachelor of Arts in Community    Development and LeadershipNolwazi Patricia KhumaloUniversity of JohannesburgNational Diploma: BiotechnologyHumbelani ManyadzeUniversity of JohannesburgAdvanced Diploma in QualityChirag SoniUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Commerce in AccountingTshepo MasheleUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Science Honours in MathematicsYusuf CassimUniversity of JohannesburgBachelor of Commerce in Industrial PsychologyYakira SookdewUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal Bachelor of Social ScienceChristel SellamayaUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal Bachelor of LawsVidyuta SamlalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Arts in International StudiesTheshaya NaidooUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalDoctor of Social ScienceAngela GovenderUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Education HonoursNamutula MukelabaiUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of PhysiotherapyNadia AnjapanUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalPostgraduate Diploma in Marketing and Supply Chain ManagementMayuri PillaiUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Commerce in AccountingJonathan NaickerUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Commerce Honours in Human Resource ManagementRuwayne EsopUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Arts in Social Science and Development StudiesNathan PillayUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information TechnologyMhlengi FakudeUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistical Sciences in Applied MathematicsBhavesh SinghUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalBachelor of Science in Engineering in ConstructionNolukhanyoUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of LawsMulanga Phophi Cathy MulaudziUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Commerce in TaxationTshiamo RamothibeUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Education: Teaching and Training StudiesJoy MakuaUniversity of Pretoria Bachelor of Town and Regional PlanningNedine van der MerweUniversity of PretoriaMaster of Science in PhysicsNcobile LongweUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Commerce in Business ManagementTiara JosephUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of LawsLindokuhle SongxiUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Engineering in Mechanical EngineeringBhekithemba VilaneUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Education: Teaching and Training StudiesKaamil-Inaam NaickerUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Engineering in Chemical EngineeringJabu KovaniUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Engineering in Electrical EngineeringChester LekhuleniUniversity of PretoriaBachelor of Information ScienceLee-Ann JacobsUniversity of South AfricaDiploma: LawTasneem SalemaneUniversity of South AfricaDiploma: LawUrsula SkosanaUniversity of South Africa Bachelor of LawsSihle NyalunguUniversity of South AfricaBachelor of LawsMulalo MbadiUniversity of South AfricaBachelor of LawsMbalenhle ThembaUniversity of South AfricaBachelor of LawsLethabo MogotsiUniversity of South AfricaBachelor of LawsSikuyo MbokodiUniversity of South AfricaBachelor of LawsTshiamo ModibaUniversity of the Free StateMaster of Commerce: Economics: ResearchJana de KluiverUniversity of the Free StateMaster of Arts in Governance and Political TransformationPalesa NhlapoUniversity of the Free State Bachelor of LawSiyamthanda NikaniUniversity of the Free State Bachelor of LawsLebogang KokaUniversity of the Free StateBachelor of Commerce Honours: Business ManagementTinovimba SemuUniversity of the Free StateBachelor of Commerce Honours: EconomicsLwanele TenyaneUniversity of the Free StateMaster of Arts in Governance and Political TransformationHendrik SteynUniversity of the Free State Advanced Certificate in Education (Further Education Biology Education)Xabsa Ahmed MohumedUniversity of the Western CapeBachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistical SciencesLeonardo MullerUniversity of the Western CapeBachelor of LawAlyssa KistaUniversity of WitwatersrandBachelor of Science HonoursRelebohileUniversity of WitwatersrandBachelor of Commerce HonoursKhanyisile MakhubuUniversity of Witwatersrand Bachelor of Science HonoursJonathan KyamogiUniversity of WitwatersrandMaster Of Commerce in Information SystemsThandeka MalemelaVaal University of TechnologyNational Diploma: MarketingSolomso MenziWalter Sisulu UniversityBachelor of PsychologyThandaza PilisoWalter Sisulu UniversityAdvanced Diploma in Human Resources Management