ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE ANNOUNCES SCHOLAR-ELECT FOR THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIP
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The Chairman of the St Andrew’s College Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee, Mr Paul Edey, and the Headmistress of the Diocesan School for Girls, Mrs Shelley Frayne, are delighted to announce Ms Elizabeth (Beth) Nosizwe Vale as the Scholar-elect for 2012.
Beth was schooled in Utrecht and Cape Town before attending the DSG, where she matriculated with distinction in 2006. At school, Beth was awarded Academic Honours, Dance Honours, Drama Colours and Music Colours, and she was a consummate debater at a National level in the Model United Nations format. She was a school Prefect with superb skills in conflict resolution, and she initiated the Youth Day Campaign which aimed to connect present day youth with South Africa’s past, a programme that continues to this day.
She was awarded her Bachelor of Arts and her Honours degree, both First Class, by Rhodes University in the field of Philosophy and Political & International Studies. She was on the Dean’s List every year of her studies, was awarded Academic Colours and prizes for being the top undergraduate student in Philosophy and Political Studies. In 2010 she was awarded the Mandela-Rhodes Scholarship and is currently the Western Cape Regional Representative for the Community of Mandela-Rhodes Scholars.
She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Sociology at the University of Cape Town with the AIDS in Society Research Unit.
At Rhodes University, Beth was President of the Student HIV/AIDS Resistance Campaign (SHARC) which tackled HIV/AIDS issues whilst advocating for social justice, human rights and gender equality. During her tenure, she was responsible for mobilising a phenomenal growth in membership, activity and awareness, as well as expanding the Campaign to include the Gender Action Campaign, OutRhodes and Testing and Monitoring portfolios. In addition to this, she co-founded the “My Body My Choice” Campaign, the Students in Solidarity with Abahlali Basemjondolo Campaign and was an active member of the Rhodes’ Save Zimbabwe Campaign.
In the past five years, since leaving school, Beth’s impact on the social issues that are tearing South African society apart has been simply staggering. She has achieved this through her energy and total commitment to her deeply-held belief that by changing the way people think, one can profoundly change society. She is a rare and inspiring young woman. Her brilliant intellect, unaffected modesty and sincere humanitarianism mark her as a shining light amongst South Africa’s young leaders.
The St Andrew’s College and DSG Community warmly congratulate Beth on the singular achievement of being selected as the Rhodes Scholar-elect for 2012, and will follow her career at Oxford University with great pride and admiration.
Kelly Long represents South Africa 10th May 2012
Kelly Long represented South Africa at the 5th International Sustainable World Project Olympiad in the USA
