Outstanding high achiever and first-year Electronic Engineering student Mr Timothy Hardman is the proud recipient of the prestigious Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship awarded annually to the top five undergraduates proceeding from first to second year of study in each of the University’s four Colleges.

Having always been fascinated by creating and building things, Hardman has a hands-on approach which led him to study Electronic Engineering.

‘As a little boy, I was always up for a challenge and when I was told engineering was the hardest course one could do, I was instantly interested and picking Electronic Engineering specifically was due to me being interested in my dad’s line of work. He works with fixing and supplying medical equipment,’ said Hardman.

Hardman is proud of his the receiving his scholarship, saying he appreciates that his hard work, effort and dedication was recognised. He conveyed a message of appreciation to the sponsors of the scholarship for easing his financial status which gives him more time to dedicate to his studies. ‘I have never had a specific role model, I always set high standards for myself and standing out from the crowd,’ he said.

His parents, Mr James and Mrs Jacqui Hardman, described him as an extraordinary son who from an early age had a flair for Mathematics and problem-solving. ‘In primary school, he represented South Africa in a Mathematics Olympiad in Hong Kong and achieved excellent results in high school. We are very proud of Timothy’s achievements. When we heard UKZN had awarded him this prestigious scholarship, we are very grateful that his earnest and eager hard work is being acknowledged,’ said the proud parents.

Words: Manqoba Hadebe

Photograph: Rajesh Jantilal