Sazi Bongwe (Nash 2021) has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, becoming one of ten Southern African scholars selected for 2025.
The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1903, is one of the world's most prestigious postgraduate awards.
Sazi, who was Head of School and top matriculant with nine distinctions and an average of 95.9% in 2021, is currently studying English at Harvard University. He hopes to pursue two one-year master's degrees, one in literature and another in visual arts, when he begins his studies in October 2026.
"We are immensely proud of Sazi's selection as a Rhodes Scholar. This achievement reflects not only his exceptional academic ability but also the qualities of character and leadership that he demonstrated throughout his time at St John's. Through his strong and inclusive leadership, we witnessed his committed drive for systemic and sustainable change," said Stuart West, Executive Headmaster.
Since 1925, St John's College has produced 26 Rhodes Scholars who have made significant contributions to South African society and beyond. Sazi is the sixth Head of School to receive this honour, continuing a tradition that includes RA Hope (Nash 1940), Derek Henderson (1945), John Kane-Berman (Alston 1962 | Sixth Form 1963), Garikai Nyaruwata (Thomson 2004) and Melvyn Lubega (Hodgson 2007).
On how he envisions contributing to South Africa and the broader African continent, Sazi said: "Studying literature, art history and art forms is really studying culture, and the expression we give to the lives we live. This is vital, I think, and I hope building up these cultures is something I can participate in."
The complete list of St John's College Rhodes Scholars
SA Richardson (1925)
MSTG Gray (1934)
RA Hope (Head of School, Nash 1940)
AD Hall (1938)
Derek Scott Henderson (Head of School 1945)
H Spoel (1947)
Colin Kinghorn (Nash 1949 | Sixth Form 1950)
Rowland James Smith (Alston 1954 | Sixth Form 1956)
John Henry McDowell (Hill 1958 | Sixth Form 1959)
AG Murray (Sixth Form 1960)
John Kane-Berman (Head of School, Alston 1962 | Sixth Form 1963)
Terence Patrick Paton (Alston 1964 | Sixth Form 1965)
Peter Brodie Robinson (Alston 1968 | Sixth Form 1969)
Anthony William Andrew Kinghorn (Clarke 1980)
Andrew Mark Breitenbach (Alston 1983)
Thomas Plewman (Hill 1983)
Michael Jennions (Hill 1986)
Andrew John McCarthy (Nash 1991)
Garikai Nyaruwata (Head of School, Thomson 2004)
Michael Fargher (Thomson 2005)
Melvyn Lubega (Head of School, Hodgson 2007)
Colin Kinghorn (Clarke 2016)
Sazi Bongwe (Head of School, Nash 2021).