04/09/2026
FREE STATE STUDENTS BAG PRESTIGIOUS GONG AT NATIONAL AWARDS
YOUNG GOVERNMENT BENEFICIARY LEADS HER TEAM TO GLORY
Approximately a month ago, Malefa Selefo’s world began to change following the intervention of the Free State Provincial Government.
Selefo and several other young people were placed with different companies on internship programs to help them gain valuable work experience. The 26 year-old from Bloemfontein has been hitting home runs since. On Tuesday 01 September 2026, Malefa Selefo began her career as a Civil Engineering intern with Lequbu Specialised Services, an engineering and construction company in Bloemfontein.
Yesterday, Thursday 03 September, Selefo, who is the Chairperson of the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE) Student Chapter at the Central University of Technology, led her team to second place of the student chapter of the year for the SAICE National Awards in Johannesburg, Gauteng province. Selefo was understandably delighted with winning the award, adding that it was a demonstration of the hard work they put into their work.
“Winning this award means so much to our team because it is a recognition of the hard work, passion, dedication, and sacrifices we have poured into everything we do. To see young, passionate civil engineers working tirelessly towards excellence reminds us that our efforts are not in vain, and this achievement will truly go down in the books for us,” Selefo said.
She also thanked the Free State Provincial Government for providing the youth with opportunities to change their lives.
“Personally, being placed at Lequbu Specialized Services as a young civil engineer means so much to me, because it gives me the opportunity to gain real industry experience, grow professionally, and put into practice what I have learned.
We sincerely thank the Free State Government for creating opportunities like these for young professionals, because it shows a genuine commitment to empowering the youth and giving us the experience we need to build a better future,” she concluded.
Premier of the Free State MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae congratulated team Central University of Technology.
“This award is a reminder of what the people of our province are capable of. I would like to congratulate Chairperson of the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE) Student Chapter at the Central University of Technology Malefa Selefo and her team for representing our province well.
As government, we are going to continue working together with the private sector to make opportunities available for the youth of our province so that they can thrive. Congratulations once again to them,” said Premier Letsoha-Mathae.
