Nelson Mandela Bay is celebrating one of its own as final-year law student, Sikelelwa Gomba, earns a place at the highly sought-after BRICS Summer School South Africa 2025.
Gomba, who is completing her IIE Bachelor of Laws degree at the IIE Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay campus, will join 100 young leaders from across Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the Global South at the University of Johannesburg from 1–3 September 2025.
The BRICS Summer School is a flagship programme designed to equip the next generation of leaders with insights into global politics, economics, culture, and development. Through workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions, participants will not only deepen their understanding of the BRICS bloc but also gain fresh perspectives on geopolitics and cross-cultural collaboration.
Gomba first learnt about the opportunity through the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), where she serves on the Youth Policy Committee as a volunteer. Reflecting on the opportunity, she said:
“I am over the moon to be selected! It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from experts, to network with like-minded individuals and to gain insights into BRICS and its implications. I am looking forward to contributing to discussions and taking away valuable knowledge to share with my community.”
Her achievement has also been celebrated by her campus leadership. Earlene Jacobs, Campus Deputy Head of IIE Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay, praised her dedication:
“We are very proud of Sikelelwa. She is a positive and enthusiastic individual with a ‘can do’ mindset. She is willing to put in the hard work to achieve her goals. We are excited about her future and look forward to watching her journey unfold as she enters the world of work.”
As South Africa prepares to host this prestigious gathering, Gomba’s participation highlights not only the talent within Nelson Mandela Bay but also the importance of giving young leaders a platform to shape the conversations that will define the future.
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