Former Tshwane RSRC member graduates

Stanley Namakhota

Stanley Namakhota, former Unisa Tshwane Regional Student Representative Council (RSRC) Sports and Cultural Officer, graduated on 9 June 2026 with a Master of Arts in Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS.

Namakhota is a staff member in the office of the Acting Vice-Principal: Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement and Student Support, responsible for student support and a former Secretary of Gays and Lesbians of the University of South Africa (GLOUSA) – a student movement at the university which started in 2014 and that addresses social issues of sexual and gender diversity.

Having graduated from Unisa before with an honours degree, Namakhota is equally excited about this graduation. “I’m excited because it has brought me great joy to enrol for my master’s degree, especially in the field of HIV/AIDS. My study focused specifically on the health and wellness of LGBTI students in an ODL institution, which has inspired me due to the work I have been doing in GLOUSA since 2014,” he says.

He praises Unisa for playing a pivotal role in the centre of transformation and, as a result, ensuring that all students of different gender expressions and sexual diversity are catered for in all its offerings.

According to Namakhota, it takes a dedicated person to do this, as rewards come with hard work. “As a former RSRC member, it brings me joy that my continued accumulation of degrees and knowledge will motivate my fellow student leaders and the entire Unisa student community to believe and strive for excellence in what they do,” he says. “There is a constant reminder that although we lead, we should not forget that, in this university, we have one priority and that is to succeed in our studies. Knowledge can only be recognised through tangible qualifications and a continuous interest in studying further.”

Namakhota would like to remind fellow students that this generation should not study only to brag and develop themselves, but also to transform and develop society for future generations to flourish. “This calls for us to embed the ethos of this gigantic university, which is being the African university in the service of humanity, simply reminding us that we should impact our community with the education and knowledge we acquired, develop them and create a better living environment for all,” he says.

Namakhota is now embarking on what he calls a ‘marathon of qualifications’. “I am currently registered for my Doctoral Degree in Sociology,” he says, “and I am very much prepared and determined to work even harder and achieve this milestone in record time. Education is a personal decision, and support remains the shield. I am challenging fellow students to come join me on this marathon.”

* Article submitted by graduate