A passion for biology… and poetry

JUSTISIA SHIPENA
Yandi du Plessis

Jacques Rossouw is a hardworking, purpose-driven 22-year old student currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences at the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom. Growing up at Omaruru and attending Moria Private School at Outjo, he is a long way from home. He decided on pharmaceutical sciences after receiving a bursary. Of course, it helps that he has a keen interest in biology and a desire to help others. However, there were times when he doubted whether he had chosen the right study course.

The other big challenge he faced was the online admissions process. Especially for an international student, the process can be quite rigorous.

According to Rossouw, freedom is one of the perks associated with the campus experience. “I’ve never had this much control over my own life before. There’s no one to tell you what you can and cannot do.”

He also enjoys the fact that he has more free time to focus on other activities like sports. He finds it refreshing to start over in a place where nobody knows you. Being exposed to new people and new ideas can be refreshing.

“Nothing is expected of you from people who know your parents and expect you to behave in a certain way.” However, he acknowledges that it’s a big responsibility.

The importance of budgeting dawned on him when he started managing his own expenses.

“The biggest surprise I got was how fast money runs out.” Just about every student can attest to this. Not immediately spending all your money in one place takes self-control.

His favourite place on the NWU campus is the Calvyn Fountain in front of the law building, especially at night.

“It’s beautiful, and also romantic. Swimming in the Calvyn is part of the Potch experience. You have to do it at least once.”

He also enjoys visiting the Wag-‘n-Bietjie women’s residence because “they make the best coffee.”

Although Rossouw is a big dreamer (he dreams of owning his own tropical island one day), he likes to think he can be realistic and responsible when it comes to important matters. He plans to continue with his master’s degree next year.

His advice to the next generation of university students is, “Be prepared to do things on your own. Your parents can’t do everything for you anymore. Study hard, otherwise you’re just wasting time and money. Being able to attend university is a blessing, not a right.”

Facts about Jacques:

1. He sucks at English (according to him).

2. He tries his best to be a nerd.

3. He likes writing poems.

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Republikein 2024-03-28

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Katima Mulilo: 19° | 37° Rundu: 17° | 33° Eenhana: 18° | 33° Oshakati: 20° | 31° Ruacana: 19° | 33° Tsumeb: 17° | 29° Otjiwarongo: 16° | 28° Omaruru: 18° | 31° Windhoek: 17° | 28° Gobabis: 17° | 28° Henties Bay: 16° | 19° Wind speed: 24km/h, Wind direction: S, Low tide: 10:54, High tide: 04:57, Low Tide: 22:58, High tide: 17:16 Swakopmund: 15° | 17° Wind speed: 29km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 10:52, High tide: 04:55, Low Tide: 22:56, High tide: 17:14 Walvis Bay: 16° | 22° Wind speed: 33km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 10:52, High tide: 04:54, Low Tide: 22:56, High tide: 17:13 Rehoboth: 18° | 29° Mariental: 22° | 32° Keetmanshoop: 21° | 34° Aranos: 21° | 31° Lüderitz: 15° | 29° Ariamsvlei: 23° | 34° Oranjemund: 15° | 21° Luanda: 27° | 30° Gaborone: 20° | 32° Lubumbashi: 17° | 24° Mbabane: 15° | 23° Maseru: 12° | 28° Antananarivo: 16° | 27° Lilongwe: 17° | 29° Maputo: 20° | 28° Windhoek: 17° | 28° Cape Town: 17° | 23° Durban: 21° | 25° Johannesburg: 18° | 28° Dar es Salaam: 26° | 32° Lusaka: 18° | 30° Harare: 15° | 31° Currency: GBP to NAD 23.97 | EUR to NAD 20.54 | CNY to NAD 2.63 | USD to NAD 19.05 | DZD to NAD 0.14 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.33 | EGP to NAD 0.39 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.74 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.8 | RUB to NAD 0.2 | INR to NAD 0.23 | USD to DZD 134.45 | USD to AOA 832.63 | USD to BWP 13.71 | USD to EGP 47.27 | USD to KES 130.98 | USD to NGN 1415.13 | USD to ZAR 19.05 | USD to ZMW 24.97 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index 73909.5 Up +0.41% | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1516.02 Down -0.13% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 12981.98 Up +0.34% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 28224.37 Down -2.87% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - 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Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 199.60/OZ UP +0.40% | Copper US$ 3.98/lb DOWN -0.0019 | Zinc US$ 2 441.60/T DOWN -0.61% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 86.61/BBP UP +0.26% | Platinum US$ 896.95/OZ UP +0.23%