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Our Graduates
These exceptional individuals have dedicated themselves to their education and have successfully completed their respective programs. Each of them has a unique story and background, which you can read about, below.
Meet
Sphesihle
Mbuyisa
Sphesihle Mbuyisa originates from Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal and completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, majoring in Criminology and Tourism. She is currently doing her Honours in Tourism also at UKZN.
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Ntombizodwa
Daele
Ntombizodwa Daele is from Botshabelo in the Free State. She started with a Higher Certificate in Dental Assistant at CUT and upon completion, then registered for a diploma in Food Technology at CPUT.
She has recently been appointed as a processing technologist. She has also earned certifications in innovation from Nestlé R&D.
Meet
Olebogeng
Machane
Olebogeng Machane matriculated from Ratang Thuto High School in Postmasburg in 2022. He completed his BA degree with majors in Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy at the University of the Western Cape in 2025. …
He is currently enrolled in a BA Honours year in Philosophy, where he is writing a research thesis under the supervision of Professor Tony Oyowe. His thesis examines questions in the philosophy of personal identity, focusing on digital afterlife technologies and what it means to persist as a person. Alongside his studies, he now works as a tutor to second-year students in the Philosophy department. He is also applying for NRF funding to continue into a Master’s degree in Philosophy at UWC next year.
Meet
Erica
Manhice
Erica (25) was born in Katlehong, Gauteng, the third-born of five siblings. She was initially raised by her grandparents while her father was working as a miner and studying to be a paramedic. When Erica was in Grade 3, her father obtained a permanent paramedic position in Postmasburg, Northern Cape. The family joined him there, where Erica enjoyed a small-town upbringing.
Erica’s parents took education very seriously, which ensured she worked hard at her schooling and was the recipient of a scholarship. One of her greatest challengeswas learning Afrikaans, but her older siblings were an important source of guidance and encouragement. Her parents had high expectations of them: “We were told that one of us has to study medicine, so with the conversation I had with my parents in primary school that ambition was still there. I’m like, okay, cool, I can do it. It’s not that hard.” However, as she grew older, Erica developed an interest in law, after briefly considering engineering: “In high school I realised that maths and physics were not my strongest subjects. But also, I took part in moot court competitions, oral history and debate competitions, I resonated way more with law … I think from Grade 10, I knew that I wanted to study law.”
Erica was accepted for a five-year law degree at the University of the Free State. Finding the transition from high school to university intimidating she decided to apply for REAP support: “When I started, it was during COVID, so the transition from high school to varsity was just not how it’s supposed to go. I was still back at home, and I just did not understand all this online situation, because I’m so used to face-to-face learning systems and having relationships with your teachers … Just adapting to online and university itself was very difficult.”
Benefitting from the ongoing support of her REAP Student Development Advisor and Peer Mentor, Erica herself became a Peer Mentor in her third year. After two years in this role, Erica noticed that there was no standard approach to peer mentoring, and that some students lost out as a result. She found herself in a position to make a lasting contribution to the way REAP works: “I suggested that we introduce a Peer Mentor coordinator … Because Peer Mentors felt like they were not mandated to do certain things. And, because there was no structure, they also did not know what to do.” In 2025 Erica became the first Peer Mentor coordinator, setting up a WhatsApp group for all Peer Mentors across the country, and ensuring they received the framework and guidance needed to provide effective mentoring. Having graduated in 2025, Erica is now completing her articles at Africa’s largest law firm, ENSafrica. She credits REAP’s support for helping her put such a positive first step onto the career ladder.
Meet
Jemina Motaung
Jemina Motaung is from a small town called Senekal in the Free State. She graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of the Free State in record time attaining an overall of 14 distinctions …
For three years, she served as a peer buddy at REAP and was actively involved in the Residence and Student Committee at the university. Currently, she is pursuing her honors in Education and manages the Kovsie female football club. As an outstanding REAP alumna, Jemina embodies the REAP values and continues to uphold the organization’s principles, particularly the ethos of community service and humanity.
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Khahliso Lefera
Khahliso Lefera is from a small town named Dealesville in the Free State. From his first year at REAP, he stood out and became famously known as the REAP Pastor. He recently completed his Diploma in Public Management and was ordained as a Deacon at his church, which demonstrates that he has maintained his identity while at university…
Khahliso has been actively involved at REAP, in his local community, and on campus. He served as a Peer Buddy for two consecutive years, engaging in community service in addition to his responsibilities as a Peer Buddy. He also volunteered as a wellness officer on campus. Moreover, he has participated in several men’s empowerment discussions, sharing valuable knowledge and information with other young men in REAP and his community. It has been a pleasure to accompany a young man who is both self-aware and selfless. We wish him all the best in his postgraduate studies at CUT as he continues to serve as a mentor and tutor at REAP.
Meet
Palesa Morogong
Palesa Morogong hails from Boichoko in the Northern Cape and is the first REAP University graduate from the Lesedi catchment area. She successfully completed her Bachelor of Education in record time, achieving 14 distinctions….
For the past two years, she has served as a REAP peer buddy and has also been a mentor within her faculty. Palesa embodies the values of REAP and represented both the organization and her family exceptionally well in the schools where she has completed her teaching practice.
Meet
Rebabedi-Malebo
Rebabedi Malebo hails from a small town called Thaba Nchu in the Free State. She has completed her Bachelor of Education degree and was actively involved at her faculty and residence as a mentor for first-year students.
As one of the REAP students, she has demonstrated resilience and grit throughout the years, skills that REAP is currently monitoring through psychosocial assessments.