Gone are the days when clichés like “beauty without brains” held weight. One woman who has shattered such stereotypes is University of Johannesburg (UJ) graduate Megan Ann de Wet.
The reigning Miss UJ Doornfontein Campus (Miss UJ DFC), de Wet, was among thousands of students who had their degrees conferred during UJ’s 2025 autumn graduation season. She earned her Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours (BEngTech Honours), marking a significant academic milestone.
Reflecting on her journey, de Wet described her time at UJ as transformative.
“UJ has been my pride and joy for the past five years. I’ve always considered it my home away from home. Being involved in events and the Community Engagement Unit has truly changed my life. Holding the title of Miss UJ DFC has been an honour, and I wish I could do even more for UJ. Everything I’ve done with—and for—UJ has been a privilege that I will deeply miss.”
Her academic path was not without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic struck when she was in her second year, testing her resilience. She credits strategic planning and UJ’s psychological support services (PsyCaD) for helping her navigate the uncertainty.
“Being a student during COVID was mentally challenging, but UJ provided incredible support through PsyCaD. After the pandemic, I found balance in my studies and social life. The key was planning—journaling, keeping a task calendar, and visualizing deadlines on a large desk planner helped me stay on track.”
Beyond academics, de Wet found immense joy in student life. Winning the Miss UJ DFC pageant was a defining moment, broadening her engagement with the university and strengthening her leadership skills.
“The Miss UJ pageant allowed me to connect with the campus community and serve as a bridge between students and administration. It gave me the confidence to be a voice for students, especially those too shy to seek help from PsyCaD or Community Engagement. Holding this title has been an incredible blessing, boosting my self-assurance and allowing me to give back in meaningful ways. I highly recommend this once-in-a-lifetime experience—it has brought me lasting friendships and an opportunity to make a real impact.”
A proud Krugersdorp native, de Wet was intentional about choosing UJ, drawn by its strong engineering faculty and commitment to research and community development.
“I researched universities thoroughly, and UJ stood out for its engineering excellence and dynamic culture. I knew it was a place where I could thrive academically—and I was right! Having UJ on my CV has already opened incredible job opportunities, and I wear that badge with pride.”
Graduating as the first in her family to earn a tertiary qualification, de Wet is far from done. She now works as a Digital Engineer at a digital transformation company while continuing to engage with UJ as Miss UJ DFC. She has also embarked on a new academic journey, pursuing a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Industrial Engineering (Research & Development) at UJ.
“My journey with UJ is not over! I will always choose UJ to further my academic career. My blood runs orange—I am a proud UJ alumna.”
