The Faculty nominated Yannick on the basis of academic performance, leadership competency and community engagement. He achieved an aggregate of 87% with 22 distinctions out of 23 subjects in his diploma.

“I am very much honoured. It goes to show that hard work pays off at the end. I still can’t believe that I am actually the best in South Africa. I didn’t do it alone, I had the support of the faculty, my lecturers, family, and, most importantly, God,” he said.

Yannick arrived four years ago from DRC and comes from a family of six children. His father is an electronic engineer and his mother was a teacher. He will be finishing his B Tech this semester. He has indicated that he will proceed with postgraduate studies.

In addition, the institution received R10 000 and a commemorative plaque for producing the overall winner in the open category of the universities of technology at the award ceremony.

Yannick says the fact that his father is an engineer meant that he had to work extra hard to reach the top ranking. “My father has been my greatest support in my entire life. Although he is 2000 km away, he still made sure that I didn’t lose focus on my studies. The journey does not end here, as long as am still alive, I will give 100% in everything I do,” he concluded.