KEARSNEY College congratulated former 2015 deputy head boy Jabulani Nyathi who was awarded an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development from Cambridge University.
The degree is designed for graduates who want to help tackle pressing global problems by developing practical engineering solutions.
Nyathi’s dissertation focused on South Africa’s energy transition but in particular the concept of a just transition governing this process.
“Well done to an incredible young man,” said Kearsney College on its Facebook page.
Spotted for his talent at the age of 12 while attending Laerskool Laeveld Primary School in Nelspruit, Nyathi received a scholarship through the N3 Toll Concession’s (N3TC) Touching Lives Bursary and Education Programme to attend the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School (DBCS).
In his final year at DBCS, he received a full scholarship from Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (Isasa) to continue his secondary education at Kearsney College.
“Jabulani matriculated from Kearsney in 2015 as Dux scholar, excelling in subjects such as physical science, drama and music, becoming one of the top 5% achievers in six or more subjects in South Africa, and finishing in the top 1% for physical sciences, drama and music. In his final school year, he was also deputy head prefect, head of the choir and captain of the cross-country team,” said the N3TC who profiled Nyathi for Youth Day last year.
Kearsney said Nyathi matriculated with seven distinctions.
The rising star left Kearsney College to pursue his career in chemical engineering at UCT with a full scholarship from the prestigious Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship.
“Jabulani is passionate about making a positive impact in the world. He believes his talents have been given to him to make a change. He hopes to use his chemical engineering background to create a future for generations to come, where their needs will be met,” wrote the UCT Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment on Facebook.
After graduating from UCT, Nyathi was awarded the Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship, which is awarded to the best and brightest young South Africans who completed their secondary schooling in KZN, among other criteria.
In an interview with the N3TC last year, Nyathi said: “Coming from a single-parent home meant that finances were always a hurdle, but never a hindrance, because I was able to reach for my dreams through hard work, and being blessed by people who believed in me and invested in my future.”
THE MERCURY