SU hockey star graduates cum laude

Whether on the sports field or in class, Keenan Horne is proof that hard and honest work pays off.

Horne is the vice-captain of the South African Hockey Men’s team, and this week he graduates cum laude with a Master’s of Law degree at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) March graduation.

His academic achievement is a real feat, given the demands of juggling postgraduate law studies and a professional sporting career. However, his dedication, “many sacrifices and late evenings” have seen him achieve his academic goal.

Horne, who has been the vice-captain of the national hockey team since 2018, says his academic achievement has not yet sunk in.

“This achievement is one of the best experiences of my life,” he says.

Horne credits the support of his family for his achievements.

“Coming from a disadvantaged background, education is power and it is a tool to create a better life,” says Horne.

“To be educated was the cornerstone of my parents’ success. I worked hard to achieve success. My father and mother are proud of me balancing sport and academics.”

Hornse says throughout his time at SU, he used to recall his father’s words that “academic work is rigorous work”, and that there is no easy way around it. Unlike his sporting career, where he has some good luck rituals, Horne says in his academic career “there are no rituals, just honest, hard work!”

During his time at SU, Horne played hockey for Maties Sport and received several sporting awards, including the Maties hockey player of the year (2015), Maties hockey top goal scorer (2015), the Maties Sport sportsman of the year (2017) and the Rector’s Award for Excellent Sports Achievement (2018). He is currently playing for the Central Hockey Club in Athlone, where he is being coached by the former South African Men’s captain and Olympian, Bruce Jacobs.

When not on the sport fields, Horne can be found at Mostert and Bosman Attorneys in Bellville, where he is currently completing his articles. Asked about his future sporting plans, Horne says he has his sights set on the Tokyo Olympic Games in July 2021. In the distant future, he hopes to get the opportunity to play a few seasons overseas, but only after he has completed his articles.

• Click here for more on the March 2021 graduation ceremonies
• An honorary doctorate is to be awarded to Ms Louisa Mojela, a co-founder and long-time group chief executive officer of the Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (WIPHOLD), this morning.