Opportunity knocks: Sharand Maharaj.

Selected to represent South Africa at the prestigious Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Programme, Sharand Maharaj will have the opportunity to examine universal issues in a collaborative environment.

As one of the top 50 global leaders, the third-year business science student will travel to New York later this year where he will meet with renowned leaders from the private, public and non-profit sectors.

"These experts will lead seminars and foster discussions about leadership and global issues," explained Maharaj, who is also the current chair of RAG. "It's an interactive process and I'm honoured to contribute information from a South African perspective."

The Goldman Sachs Foundation, along with the Institute of International Education, created the Global Leaders Programme to identify and reward the academic excellence and leadership potential of 50 of the most accomplished students worldwide.

The programme fosters their leadership skills and prepares them for "distinctive service" to society and their future professions.

For Maharaj, his pursuit of a career in investment banking has received a major boost by being selected for the programme.

"My dad is a stockbroker and I have been trading in the stock market since I was 11 years old. Although it is a very pressurised and nerve-racking environment, I enjoy the challenge." Once he has completed his studies at UCT, Maharaj intends to undertake a master's in financial economics at Oxford University.

"I would like to work in New York at some stage as it is a financial hub, but I will return to South Africa to do something incredible here with the knowledge I've gained overseas." Humanities student Kate Orkin has also been chosen to attend the esteemed programme. (Monday Paper was unfortunately unable to contact Orkin before our deadline.)