For the second consecutive year, a Kovsie made it onto Mail & Guardian List of 200 Young South Africans You Must Take to Lunch, an accolade bestowed on young achievers seen as future leaders of the country.
Nangamso Koza, Research Assistant in the office of the Vice-Rector: External Relations became part of a select group of young people who will shape our country in decades to come with her inclusion on the list.
The list features young achievers in sports, politics, arts, education and science, amongst others, and is published every year in June in celebration of national youth month.
In 2012 two Kovsies, Sibusiso Tshabalala, a student leader on our Bloemfontein Campus, and Dr Olihile M Sebolai, a lecturer in the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, also made it onto the list.
Joining the likes of musician Zahara, fashion designer Thula Sindi and swimmer Chad le Clos, Nangamso featured in the Civil Society category. Some of her achievements listed include being the Founding Managing Director of the Inqubela Foundation. Helping learners with mathematics, public speaking and debating skills, the foundation converts schools in developing communities into centres of academic and leadership excellence.
Talking about her inclusion on the list, Nangamso says her biggest accolade is meeting kids or receiving messages from them saying she has made a difference. “I grew up in a family where you are taught that your accomplishments has nothing to do with you; the reason you are blessed with skills and talents, is for you to uplift other people.“
She mentioned Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Andre Keet, Director of the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice and writer Zubeida Jaffer, a University of the Free State staff member, as role models.
“If I can wake up and give Prof Jansen a high five, go and have tea with Prof Keet and later dinner with Zubeida, I will only be an idiot if I don’t produce the work I do. Not a lot of people have access to such mentors. I am very privileged and take what I can learn from them and plough it back.”
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