Zandile Gando defies limitations and reaches new heights in her Academic Journey

The Academic Achievers Awards honour outstanding graduates who have achieved academic distinction in their chosen fields of study and who have personified the strategic objectives of UP, which include attaining academic excellence, competitiveness, and relevance.

Miss Zandile Gando, a 2024 LLB graduate, was recently granted the Vice-Chancellor and Principal's medal for consistently maintaining an exceptional overall grade point average throughout her undergraduate studies. She is the first black graduate of LLB to be awarded this distinction. She received the medal at the autumn graduation ceremony held in April of this year. Miss Gando is a part of a select few of Faculty of Law alumnae who have left their mark on the University of Pretoria history books. 

"I hope this demonstrates that we are defined by our actions, with dedication & hardwork work we can succeed in any endeavour and occupy any place. I'm honoured to stand in for those who gave their everything so that I might have the life and possibilities I do. I attribute my accomplishment to them.”

At this year's Faculty Top Achievers event, which was hosted by Dean Prof. Elsabe Schoeman, Zandile also took home the MacRobert Prize for earning the highest marks in civil procedure 410 and 410 modules, as well as the Adams & Adams Proze for obtaining the highest weighted average. Her additional honours include SRC Academic Honorary Colours, a Certificate of Merit for graduating with distinction in 2019, participation in the Golden Key International Honour Society (2017–2019), and Residence Academic Top 10 (Invicta) 2023 and 2021.

During her tenure at UP Law, Miss Gando has demonstrated her all-around ability by volunteering her time on numerous projects for the UP community. She has served as a member of the Madelief Wellbeing Subcommittee 2020, a resident facilitator for the TuksRes Independent Electoral Commission (TRIEC) from July to September 2018, a mentor for the Madelief Academic Programme and STARS Mentorship, a member of the Madelief Transformation Subcommittee 2018 and a member of the Madelief Community Engagement Subcommittee (RAG) 2017-2019.

She has also held a number of leadership positions, such as that of Invicta Residence Advisor (RA): Academics, First-Year Guardian, Discipline, Values and Traditions 2023, TuksRes Monitor 2023, Member of the UP Senate 2022, Member of the UP Institutional Forum 2022, Co-Chair of Chairs of the TuksRes Subcouncil 2021/22, Chairperson of Madelief 2021/2022, and Vice-Chairperson of Madelief: Wellbeing, First-Year Guardian, Values, Traditions, and Social Media 2020/2021—to name a few of the leadership roles she has held.

"The road wasn't easy, but it makes me more proud that I made it through the difficulties. I am incredibly appreciative of my amazing support network, which includes my family, friends, years of residency, coaching, and mentoring."