By Shonani Mufamadi
“Grades fade, certificates collect dust, and education is no longer seen as the key to success connections are. People who never went to school are thriving, and connections open more doors for them than a master’s degree.” These are everyday conversations in taxis, on social media, and at family tables. For many, excelling academically feels like holding onto an outdated belief.
But here’s the catch when speaking to Tebogo Lekota, a practitioner at the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE), she reminded us that the value of education runs deeper than we think.
According to Lekota, it is important to reaffirm that academics remain a cornerstone of both personal and professional growth. She explained that academics equip students with critical thinking skills, a solid foundation of knowledge, and the ability to adapt in an ever-changing world.
Lekota highlighted that while exploring opportunities beyond the classroom is important, academic pursuits still provide essential tools for long-term success. They nurture discipline, creativity, and resilience all of which are invaluable in one’s future career and life.
Academic excellence, she added, goes beyond securing employment. “It’s about preparing yourself to think, create, and lead in spaces where raw talent alone is not enough. It’s about staying relevant in a world that changes faster than trends. Because while fame fades and fads disappear, knowledge continues to empower those who pursue it with dedication,” she said.
In addition, it prepares students to become informed citizens capable of making meaningful contributions to society. Whether one aims to lead in their profession or bring change to their community, a strong academic background remains a vital asset.
The conversation around whether connections outweigh competence continues to divide students.
“It’s hard to believe grades still matter when even top graduates can’t find jobs,” said Moyagabo Maleka, an Honours student in Media Studies. “You can study for years and still lose an opportunity to someone with connections. It makes you wonder if hard work is really worth it anymore.”
Lekota acknowledged the frustration but cautioned against seeing networks as replacements for knowledge.
“Excelling academically makes you credible. It means when opportunities come through networks, you have the skills to deliver, sustain, and grow beyond them.” Connections without competence are shortcuts to short-lived success,” she added.
To conclude, Lekota encouraged students to stay focused, seek knowledge with curiosity, and embrace education as a lifelong journey. She believes that dedication to learning today lays the foundation for future dreams and ambitions.
