The Wellness Centre supports first-year student success through extended orientation programme. Khanyisile Mogale shares her journey.

CUT Wellness Centre has implemented an Extended Orientation Programme aimed at supporting first-year students as they transition into university life. The programme promotes student wellbeing, belonging, resilience, and academic success through ongoing support and engagement beyond the formal orientation period.

As part of this initiative, the Wellness Centre continues to share inspiring student journeys that reflect the realities, opportunities, and personal growth experienced during the transition into higher education.

One such story is that of first-year student Khanyisile Mogale, who is currently pursuing a Diploma in Hospitality Management at the Bloemfontein Campus. Her journey reflects the resilience, determination, and passion that define many students navigating university life for the first time.

Born and raised in the village of Thaba Nchu, Khanyisile’s educational journey was far from linear. She attended several primary schools before eventually enrolling at Navalsig High School in 2020, a chapter that would shape her future ambitions and personal growth.

Her story is a powerful reminder that where one begins does not determine how far one can go. Through passion, perseverance, and purpose, Khanyisile has already begun carving out a promising path within the hospitality and culinary industry.

From a remarkably young age, baking was never simply a hobby for her, it was a calling. Over the years, she participated in and won several culinary competitions, steadily building confidence in her craft.

One of her defining moments came during an early baking competition in Welkom. “I remember being excited about making my first-ever novelty cake outside of my home,” she recalls. “I was anxious, but I was doing something I love, not for profit, but for putting myself out there and seeing how much potential I had within me.”

That experience affirmed what she had already begun to realise, the kitchen was where she truly belonged.

Her signature baking style has since evolved into a reflection of her roots: a blend of comfort, creativity, authenticity, and sophistication. In 2024, while representing the Free State at national level, she designed a cake inspired by the story of Bloemfontein. The creation featured elegant roses symbolising the City of Roses, accompanied by an intricate isomalt water sculpture designed to “water” them.

For Khanyisile, food is about more than flavour, it is about storytelling, creativity, and creating memorable experiences.

When asked why she chose CUT as her academic home, Khanyisile’s response reflected a clear vision for her future. “I wanted to understand the hospitality industry in its entirety, and the CUT Hospitality programme felt like the perfect fit for me,” she says. “The programme has exposed me to a broad range of practical and theoretical skills, including food preparation, customer service, accommodation management, event support, and leadership development.”

She admits that some aspects of the programme challenged her expectations in unexpected ways. “One area that really surprised me was cost control because it includes numbers, and I never imagined that cooking could involve so much mathematics,” she says with a chuckle.

Like many first-year students, Khanyisile has had to navigate pressure, expectations, and adjustment challenges. However, she approached these experiences with maturity and self-awareness. “I always remind myself that growth is a continuous process, and I do not have to be perfect all the time,” she explains.

To her, expectations are simply perceptions people may hold about her, not a definition of who she is. She continues to embrace both the highs and lows of student life while remaining committed to discipline, growth, and continuous learning.

Her ambitions extend far beyond personal success. Khanyisile dreams of building a respected hospitality brand rooted in meaningful experiences, creativity, and culinary excellence. More importantly, she hopes to inspire and empower young aspiring chefs who may one day follow in her footsteps.

While many students adjust successfully to university life, the transition can also present significant emotional, social, financial, and academic challenges. Students may experience difficulties related to mental wellbeing, identity, relationships, financial pressure, or adapting to unfamiliar environments.

Through initiatives such as the Extended Orientation Programme, the Wellness Centre remains committed to providing holistic support services that promote student wellbeing, resilience, and success throughout the student journey at CUT.

Students experiencing adjustment difficulties or psychosocial challenges are encouraged to seek support from the Wellness Centre. Lecturers and staff members who identify students in need of assistance are also encouraged to make referrals through the Wellness Centre administrators: Mr Cleo Maluka, Bloemfontein Campus: cmaluka@cut.ac.za and Ms Mathabo Mpuru, Welkom Campus: mmpuru@cut.ac.za

As a future-focused and student-centred University of Technology, CUT continues to foster a caring, inclusive, and enabling environment where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.