The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has recognised seven outstanding students for their exceptional academic performances, with women making up six of this year’s Chancellor’s Award recipients.
The university celebrated its top-performing students from each of its seven faculties during the 2026 Chancellor’s Excellence Awards ceremony held on 31 October.
In an address published on 2 November, TUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tinyiko Maluleke praised the students for their dedication, perseverance and commitment to academic excellence, describing them as examples of what the institution hopes to produce through its teaching and learning programmes.
The annual awards ceremony, popularly known as the Magnificent Seven, recognises the highest-performing student in each faculty. According to Maluleke, the title represents academic determination and a genuine passion for knowledge rather than the military characters associated with the original film that inspired the name.
Celebrating achievement against difficult odds
Maluleke said the achievements of the seven students extend beyond individual success. Their stories also reflect the support of families and communities that helped them reach their academic goals.
The 2026 recipients come from different parts of South Africa, including Qwaqwa, Ga-Mamabolo, Empangeni, Burgersfort and Pretoria.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the importance of recognising students who have embraced TUT’s core mission of teaching and learning, describing them as strong ambassadors for the university.
He said the Chancellor’s Awards represent more than an annual celebration, serving as evidence of the institution’s commitment to producing capable graduates who are prepared for the future workplace.
However, Maluleke acknowledged that achieving academic success has become increasingly challenging for young people in South Africa.
Among the difficulties facing students are financial pressures linked to NSFAS, mental health challenges, cyberbullying, gender-based violence and the distractions associated with digital devices and social media.
He also pointed to the country’s high youth unemployment rate, arguing that the current environment makes it particularly difficult for young people to plan for their futures.
TUT’s focus on AI and entrepreneurship
Reflecting on the realities facing today’s generation, Maluleke drew inspiration from Nina Simone’s famous song To Be Young, Gifted and Black, suggesting that a more fitting description of the current climate might be Tough Times to Be Young.
He used the comparison to highlight the uncertainty confronting young South Africans, particularly those entering an employment market with limited opportunities.
Despite these challenges, the Vice-Chancellor said TUT is working to equip its graduates with skills that extend beyond their academic qualifications.
He explained that the university wants every student to develop an understanding of key aspects of artificial intelligence, while also gaining entrepreneurial skills that can be applied regardless of their chosen field of study.
According to Maluleke, graduates with relevant skills have better prospects of finding or creating employment than those without such skills. TUT’s broader ambition is to ensure that its graduates achieve one of the lowest unemployment rates in the higher education sector.
Six women among TUT’s top seven students
One of the standout features of the 2026 awards is the strong representation of women among the recipients.
Six of the seven students recognised this year are female, prompting Maluleke to describe the group as the Magnificent Six Plus One.
The Vice-Chancellor used the achievement to highlight the growing contribution of women to academic excellence and suggested that the university’s recent results point towards a future in which women will play an increasingly prominent role.
He congratulated all seven students, praising their hard work and resilience during a period when young people face significant social, economic and academic pressures.
Meet TUT’s 2026 Magnificent Seven
The recipients of the 2026 Chancellor’s Awards are:
- Mogaleadi Itumeleng Mahlatji – Faculty of Management Sciences.
- Anja Smit – Faculty of Science.
- Siyabonga Mthethwa – Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
- Seetja Gloria Kwenaite – Faculty of Humanities.
- Maropeng Vanessa Malemela – Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.
- Refiloe Patricia Mokoena – Faculty of Economics and Finance.
- Molebogeng Marakalla – Faculty of Arts and Design.
The seven students represent the academic achievements TUT hopes to inspire across its campuses.
As the university celebrates their success, Maluleke’s message is that excellence remains possible even in difficult circumstances. Their accomplishments stand as an example of what dedication, opportunity and support can help young people achieve.
