Receiving a Rector's Award feels surreal, says Lwazi Madi, a Maties water polo player and captain of the South Africa water polo team that participated in the Tokyo 0lympic Games earlier this year.

Madi, a Master's student in Sport Science at Stellenbosch University (SU), is one of 82 recipients of this year's annual Rector's Awards for Excellent Achievement. The awards recognise and celebrate students' achievements in the respective fields of academics, sports, leadership, social impact, culture and service provision. Madi received an award in the sports category.

“Receiving recognition for your achievements, especially one of this magnitude, affirms that your hard work is paying off. It also motivates you and encourages you to keep pushing your limits," he says.

Madi's love for water polo started during high school at St Stithians Boys' College in Johannesburg. At school, he played cricket until one warm summer's day when he decided to sign up for a water polo trial. Since then he has been hooked on the sport, and to date has participated in more than 40 international games. This includes representing South Africa at the Intercontinental Water Polo Championships in Sydney, Australia and at the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Madi, who commenced his studies at SU in 2015, says he has had to balance the demands of his sporting career and academic responsibilities. This he did by setting clear goals, optimising his time and valuing small achievements.

He says success does not happen overnight and that sacrifices are required.

“At the end of the day, you will look at the goals you have reached and will know that those sacrifices were worthwhile," he says.

Click here to read more about the Rector's Awards and recipients. 

*A total of 82 top Stellenbosch University (SU) students were recently honoured with Rector's Awards for excellence in academics, leadership, social impact, culture, sport and service provision. During the next few weeks, we will feature some of the winners.