Congratulations Kekeletso Matuka! We are proud to see you represent CUT on the national stage.

Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) three-time graduate and multi-award-winning student Ms Kekeletso Matuka has once again put the university in the national spotlight after being selected among the Top 500 candidates for the prestigious 2026 GradStar Awards, from more than 10 000 student and graduate applicants nationwide.

Kekeletso’s recognition places her among South Africa’s most promising emerging professionals and further highlights CUT’s commitment to producing highly employable, well-rounded graduates equipped to make a meaningful contribution to the world of work. For Kekeletso, the achievement marks another significant milestone in an already impressive academic and leadership journey, while for CUT, it is a proud affirmation of the calibre of talent nurtured by the university.

“It is with immense gratitude and humility that I share my selection as one of the Top 500 candidates for the 2026 GradStar Awards. I am incredibly proud to represent CUT on a national stage once again, and I hope my journey serves as a testament to what is possible when dedication meets opportunity,” said Kekeletso.

Throughout her academic journey, Kekeletso has consistently distinguished herself through outstanding academic performance, leadership and a commitment to personal and professional development. Her achievements include multiple Dean’s List Awards in the Faculty of Humanities and membership of the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society. She has also been the recipient of several competitive scholarships and bursaries.

Among these is the European Erasmus Scholarship, which afforded her the life-changing opportunity to study abroad in Sweden. She also received support from the Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri Trust Fund, further enabling her academic journey. Keke as she is fondly known, is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Communications and Language Practice at CUT, where she continues to deepen her knowledge and contribution to the field.

The GradStar Awards programme is recognised for its rigorous and highly competitive selection process, which seeks to identify graduates with the potential to excel in the workplace and make a meaningful impact. Candidates undergo a series of assessments evaluating key attributes such as leadership potential, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and a growth mindset. Following this process, the cohort is narrowed to the Top 100 candidates, who are recognised for their exceptional potential and readiness to contribute to the world of work.

Keke’s latest recognition adds to a growing list of CUT students and graduates who have earned recognition through the prestigious GradStar programme over the years. Their continued success reflects the university’s commitment to developing graduates who are not only academically capable, but also adaptable, innovative and prepared to make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.

Her journey is a powerful example of what can be achieved when academic excellence, opportunity and determination come together and another proud chapter in CUT’s growing legacy of graduate success.