The president of the CPUT Golden Key Chapter, Simphiwe Ngubane, has been selected as one of Africa’s 100 Brightest Young Minds (BYM) 2022.

BYM works to inspire and mobilise a generation of proactive young leaders equipped to address present and future social, economic and environmental challenges in Africa.

Its mission is to connect young leaders and equip them with the skills, mindset and network needed to create sustainable impact across Africa. BYM has hosted 18 summits over the last two decades and created a network of over 1,600 of some of the most impactful young leaders on the continent.

This year applications were received from across the continent and Simphiwe, a final-year Bachelor of Geomatics student, said it was an incredible honour to have been selected.

He is scheduled to attend the BYM Summit on December 2 in Sandton.

“I'm looking forward to the opportunity on the second of December to interact with trailblazers and pioneers across Africa working to solve the myriad of challenges faced by the continent.”

This year’s summit is co-hosted with the World Food Programme Southern Africa and the theme is Connect, Inspire, Impact: Solutions to Food Systems Challenges.

He said the opportunity to apply was brought to his attention via Golden Key Southern Africa. He has been the president of the CPUT Golden Key chapter since April. Golden Key International Honour Society is the world's largest collegiate honour society for graduate and undergraduate students and has strong relationships with over 400 universities around the world. Members qualify when they are at the top 15% of their class and are given access to a wide range of rewards, scholarships, travel and study abroad opportunities, and more.

Simphiwe said he was humbled by his selection as one of the Brightest Young Minds.

“The application was incredibly involved, requiring heavy introspection from the applicants from a myriad of points about what one has accomplished, what activities they are doing within society, accolades achieved and to also give insight on how an applicant addresses challenges in not only the context of the continent and world at large but on how individuals manage the challenges they face in their immediate environments.”

He encouraged his peers not to be afraid to “put yourself out there”.

“You have worth and value, put yourself forward and be confident in your inherent abilities, they can have an incredible impact."

In the first semester of this year Simphiwe received distinctions for all seven of his modules, “a testament of the calibre of person Golden Key wishes to nurture”.

“Academic excellence is part and parcel of the message but being an all-rounded individual is as important, which is where the student chapter comes in to promote activities around personal, professional and leadership development. What I'd say to anyone part of Golden Key or looking to be invited (membership is only to the top 15%): apply to be a part of the executive committee, it's worth all the time and effort at the end of the day and you won't regret it.“

Melani-Ann Hara, student development officer in the Division of Student Affairs, said she was immensely proud of Simphiwe for being recognised as one of the 100 Africa’s Brightest Young Minds.

“Simphiwe has shown great leadership and dedication as the CPUT Golden Key President, always pushing to assist and develop students to promote academic excellence, service and leadership. He indeed is a bright mind achieving excellence in his academics, and he is involved in many community outreach projects like tutoring maths at local high schools. I am confident he will continue to make great change wherever he is, and we will continue to hear about the great work he is doing. Simphiwe Ngubane is a true inspiration and example of our CPUT graduate attributes and values lived. “

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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With a strong focus on funding and mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students, Golden Key (GK) International Honour Society offers numerous scholarships and awards, available only to members, as well as career development, networking and literacy service opportunities and unique discounts from partner companies.

Student Development Officers Cherice Mangiagalli and Melani-Ann Hara, who serve as advisors for Golden Key SA - CPUT Chapter, say GK has chapters at over 400 colleges and universities in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States. Mangiagalli states that membership in the Society is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of college and university sophomores, juniors, seniors, and top-performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on their academic achievements.

President of the GK CPUT chapter, Simphiwe Ngubane, shared his experience:

Simphiwe reveals that being made a part of GK last year and representing CPUT at the DHL 2021 Top 100 Most Employable Students in South Africa “have truly been the cherries on top of my time here at CPUT”.  “We all go through challenges in life, and what I can account as one of the more difficult challenges is finding a reason every day to commit to myself, my studies and what I see as my path- all this comes about in the context of a world attempting to dictate to you what you should do, how you should do it and where you should go: the reason I consistently conjure up is, all this is leading you somewhere, don't give up,” he says.

The Durban-born-final-year BSc in Geomatics student “owes”  his success to his mother and grandmother, “whom I will forever be grateful to for inculcating the critical importance of education to thrive and succeed in this world”.

Simphiwe was appointed a member of the Golden Key Executive this year through an interview and selection process. He says: “I would like to take the opportunity to advocate as many Golden Key members as possible to avail themselves of this opportunity for the upcoming year: leadership, academic excellence, and personal development are part and parcel of what GK stands for and it is what we as a CPUT student body should be consistently advocating for.”  

Reflecting on life challenges in our communities, Simphiwe says: “One doesn’t need to know too much of the country's state. The interminable load shedding, the rising cost of fuel and living costs are stark reminders of the state of our communities. Ultimately, what we must look toward is credible leadership in navigating the challenges this country faces and will face tomorrow. Golden Key is a shining canvass of opportunity to accelerate the growth of the type of person that will steer this country.” 

He says being part of GK has helped him access many worthwhile opportunities through webinars, broadcasts for scholarships, job opportunities, etc. “I am an Olico Maths Tutor because of Golden Key; my involvement with the 2021 DHL Gradstar Top 100 most employable students in South Africa would not have been possible without Golden Key.” 

Simphiwe also encourages his fellow students to be part of Golden Key society. “Decide to join; you won’t regret it; membership means being part of a community of exceptional individuals from across the world; doors open to you automatically by association.”  Simphiwe serves on the CPUT Golden Key executive committee alongside Uchenna Okwuosa – Treasurer; Mahlatse Ramakgoakgoa - Service Director & Campus Community Outreach Director; and Xolisa Skweyiya – Secretary.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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