DHL GradStar Awards 2023 – “Ten of the Finest”
Over the last eight years the GradStar Programme, founded by BlackBark Productions, has identified the most employable tertiary students from across the country, celebrating and promoting the qualities that are crucial for personal and professional success in today’s dynamic world.
Entrants are taken through a series of rigorous assessments and evaluations, based on FutureFit qualities for the workplace (grit, resilience, curiosity, growth mindset, xxx) all leading up to the final event where the Top 100 are invited to an employment extravaganza all paid for by GradStar in JHB the 1st week of December.
The final leg of the Awards assessment process took place on the 6th December, where employer sponsors host a full day of workshops with the Top100 allowing the supporting organisations to not only interact with the country’s future leaders but also find who of them will truly look adversity in the eye and demonstrate the strength and wisdom to persevere, which is the process by which the “Ten of the Finest” are identified.
The same evening, a glamorous Gala Dinner took place, hosted by Siv Ngesi, featuring JSomething as entertainment. Inspiring the young people with a keynote address, was Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL SSA, platinum partners of the event. All top 100 students were recognised and the “Ten of the Finest” formally announced and celebrated.
Laura Barker, Founder of the GradStar Awards and CEO of BlackBark Productionshad this to say about the “Ten of the Finest”: ‘In a country where youth unemployment is so high and access to opportunities so limited, GradStar has an important part to play in democratising access to employment opportunities for our youth. Yet again this cohort of the Top 100 students displayed innovative thinking and great talent – the future is bright in the hands of these young people.’
Paul Clegg, Vice President of Human Resources at DHL Express, who have demonstrated their commitment to supporting talent through this programme for five years commented: ‘We are thrilled to be associated with the GradStar program as we believe there is no better investment to make than in the future leaders of this great country of ours. It is without question that the Top 100 GradStar selected students fit into that category.’
DHL GRADSTAR 2023 “Ten of the Finest” Winners:
| Name | Surname | Institution | Qualification |
| Veronica | Mwale | Eduvos | Bachelor of Commerce: Applied Accounting |
| Enock | Soko | University of Johannesburg | Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematical Statistics |
| Kamogelo | Samotse | North West University | Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences |
| Kelisha | Pandaram | University of KwaZulu-Natal | Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing Management |
| Jediael Benjamin | Dhawraj | University of KwaZulu-Natal | Bachelor of Science Honours: Plant Molecular Biology and Physiology |
| Lerato | Solomon | University of South Africa | Bachelor of Arts in Community Development |
| Ukhanyo | Mdakane | University of Cape Town | Bachelor of Laws: Undergraduate |
| Karabo | Dinake | North West University | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology |
| Ntikana | Ramohlale | Rhodes University | Master of Arts |
| Thadeus | Johannes | University of the Free State | Bachelor of Commerce in Law |
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