Top Master’s Student - 2024 Tshawekazi Mgudlwa“Leaders are born from the corridors of academic grit, academic toil, and academic effort.”
These words from Minister of Basic Education and UWC alumna Siviwe Gwarube rang true for the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) as it hosted its Dean’s Honours Awards Evening on 15 May 2025. The event honours the top-performing students across EMS’s five core programmes for the 2024 academic year.
WATCH THE MINISTER'S MESSAGE HERE
Among this year’s top achievers is 33-year-old Tshawekazi Sinako Mgudlwa, the top Master’s student, who attributes her success to a combination of discipline, faith and critical academic engagement.
“I believe my success in my Master’s studies can be attributed to several key factors,” she said. “I had an incredibly professional and supportive relationship with my supervisors, but I also made it a point to engage critically with their input — asking questions, seeking clarity, and striving to understand deeply before implementing anything.”
Having already completed a previous Master's degree, Mgudlwa used that experience as fuel to aim even higher.
“This was my second Master’s degree, and that served as a constant internal motivator. I’m extremely honoured and grateful to have studied at UWC — even more so to be on the Dean’s List,” she said.
“As a Christian, I always strive to give God my best (Colossians 3:23). I’ve always believed in being disciplined in all areas of life. Studying is about gaining knowledge I can apply — not just aiming for results, but preparing to make a real impact beyond university.”
Matome Frans Mohlabeng, 20-years-old, is the Top First-Year Student of 2024.In youthful energy and aspiration, her journey is echoed by 20-year-old Matome Frans Mohlabeng, the Top First-Year Student of 2024.
“Being on the Dean’s List in my first year is such an honour,” Mohlabeng said. “I’ve always pushed myself to do well, not only to prove that I can, but because I want to build a strong foundation for the future. I want to be someone who contributes meaningfully in society — and that starts here, at UWC.”
This year’s Dean’s Honours themes — including “Limitless: Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies” and “Forging the Future: Strength in Resilience” — reflect the character of students like Mgudlwa and Mohlabeng, who have faced challenges but chosen excellence.
“You’ve proven that through sacrifice and discipline, you can overcome,” Minister Gwarube told students. “South Africa needs people like you — in communities, boardrooms, and government. Keep pushing the boundaries, because this is an investment in you.”
Acting Dean for EMS - Professor Derek YuActing Dean, Professor Derek Yu, applauded the efforts of the top achievers and urged them to continue on a successful academic path.
“Fourteen students across different undergraduate and postgraduate levels are the awardees. Our faculty is so proud of these students' hard work, and we look forward to seeing these students pursue further studies. At the same time, we strive to further improve our learning, teaching, assessment and research activities to empower the students and contribute to society,” said Prof Yu.
