Education advocate is UP’s newest queen

Miss SA for 2022, Ndavi Nokeri, shares her alma mater’s passion for opening the doors of education to all.

Ndavi Nokeri visited her alma mater, the University of Pretoria (UP), wearing not only her 2022 Miss South Africa sash, but bearing a strong message.

“Growing up in a village made me realise the value of education. It is important for young girls and boys to be educated and to break the cycle of poverty through education. It is my wish to work with corporates and universities across South Africa to champion the power of education,” she said.

During an interview with Vice-Chancellor Prof Tawana Kupe, he asked about the one thing Nokeri would like to change in South Africa. Her response was to address the number of rape cases, gender-based violence and femicide, which she described as “shocking”.

“I would like to change that and make women and children feel safe in our country – gender equality is important,” she said, adding that charitable work was close to her heart and was something she would like to expand.

“I join my colleagues in applauding you on the launch of your education advocacy campaign, Ed-Unite,” Prof Kupe said during the luncheon held in her honour.

“It is clear that you share our passion for opening the doors of education to all. You are indeed living up to your promise to make a difference in your community and in communities across South Africa and the world through your example not only as Miss South Africa, but in the hard work you put in leading up to this achievement. This includes the days, weeks, and months spent sitting at your desk studying towards your UP final exams,” he said.

Prof Kupe said that it is a source of pride, not just to him but to the entire University of Pretoria community, to see a UP graduate shine so brightly on the national and international stage.

By: Xolani Mathibela

“Why, you might ask, must we increase our giving, when already we are all feeling financially stretched in the face of rising costs? Our motivations for giving might differ from individual to individual, but collectively, as a university community, we are deeply influenced by the concept of ubuntu, the idea that we are dependent, rather than isolated beings,” Justice Khampepe said.

“As we are supported, guided and inspired by so many people in our own journeys, we are in a position to, in turn, help others,” she added.

Justice Khampepe urged the UP community “to carry this sense of compassionate urgency forward as we give, even when it hurts”.

The UP Convocation Advisory Board consists of 15 committee members.