Best performing history students win Johan Bergh Historia Award

An honour's student in Political Science at the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, has won the Johan Bergh Historia award for the best Final-Year History Student for 2013. Daniel Motsase completed his final semester with an average of 83% and scored 89% in his final examination. It is the first time a student from the NWU Mafikeng Campus has received this award.

The award is bestowed by the Historical Association of South Africa (HASA) annually to the best history student that completes the final-year history courses lectured at their respective universities.

It was named in honour of Prof Johan Bergh, who was the chairman of HASA from 1985 to 2012 and also the Head of the Historical and Heritage Studies department at the University of Pretoria during the same period. Prof Bergh is known for his research in 19th century South African history and is presently working on the life and times of Pres SJP "Paul" Kruger.

Regarding his award, Motsase had the following to say:

"I am deeply humbled to receive this award for the best Final-Year History Student for 2013. I would firstly like to thank God the Almighty for the wisdom, strength and talent He has bestowed upon me. I would also like to thank my history lecturers Prof Mbenga and Mr Coetzee for their support and enthusiastic lectures, my mother for all she has done for me, and all the people in my life who have been encouraging and supporting me. This award proves that with the grace of God and dedication, everything is possible."