The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is known for producing original talent for the arts, business, entertainment and sciences, who go on to dominate within their respective fraternities, globally. This year, three UJ students, Ntsiki Mkhize (alumnus), Gugulethu Banda, and Liesl Laurie (also alumnus) will brace the 2015 Miss South Africa (SA) beauty pageant with this confidence.
One of the finalists, Ntsiki Mkhize, is equipped with a B.Com Marketing Management degree from UJ. “I wanted to create great commercials and work in advertising to manage brands. I also wanted to own my own business. My father suggested that I do a B.Com Marketing Management degree, instead of advertising on its own, so that I could be equipped with business knowledge. I registered for this degree in 2010,” said the much recent UJ alumnus.
The elegant beauty has a self-professed passion for the African continent and for connecting with people. In a quest to gain knowledge on how she can assist development in Africa, she added an Honours degree in Logistics Management. “During my undergraduate studies at the University, I found Logistics which was one of my majors, to be challenging and it took me out of my comfort zone. I decided to pursue it in my postgraduate studies. In 2013, I then did my B.Com Honours in Logistics Management.”
Banda, now in her second year at UJ is studying towards a BA Tourism Development degree. The young lady from the East Rand is taking on Miss SA 2015 and is hoping to brace this year’s splendour competition.
Asked about UJ producing graduates that are doing well in different industires, Banda said that the University has a lot of potential and that is evident in the dominance of UJ students in the Miss SA 2015.
The third contestant, Laurie, is also a UJ alumnus. She completed BCom General degree in 2013 with major subjects; Accounting, Businnes Management and Human Resource.
Talking about some of the traits she learned at while at UJ, Laurie said: “I have learned that you have to be committed to what you do and to always have a positive attitude for a successful life. If you fall down, you have to get up, dust yourself and move on. Life will not stand still and wait for you; you have to take charge of your life, no matter the circumstance.”
