Angelique’s story combines academic and athletic excellence

Professional athlete Angelique Strijdom (24) excels in both athletics and academics, having earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design at the Faculty of Arts & Design's graduation ceremony on 23 April. In an interview, she says that sport had built her resilience and mindset, which had carried over into her academic performance.

Professional athlete Angelique Strijdom (24) obtained a Postgraduate Diploma: Interior Design during the Autumn graduation ceremonies. Graduating is an incredible accomplishment. What motivated you to maintain such a high level of academic performance throughout your studies?  For me, it was never just about passing or getting the qualification. It was about building something bigger for my future. Studying Interior Design gave me a space where creativity and purpose could meet and that kept me driven every day. I’ve always been motivated by growth. Whether it’s in my design work, my athletics, or my personal life, I push myself to see how far I can go. That mindset naturally carried into my studies. I didn’t want to do the bare minimum. I wanted to fully understand what I was learning and apply it in a way that felt meaningful and impactful. At the end of the day, I was motivated by the idea that every assignment, every late night and every project was shaping the kind of designer and professional I’m becoming. 

Interior Design is both creative and technical. What aspects of the discipline do you find most exciting or fulfilling? What excites me most is the balance between creativity and problem-solving. I enjoy turning concepts into meaningful spaces that not only look good but also serve a purpose. I’m particularly drawn to the design development stage, working with layouts, materials and details to bring an idea to life. At the same time, the technical side challenges me to ensure everything is functional and well-resolved. What fulfills me most is designing with intention, creating spaces that enhance how people feel and experience their environment. 

Looking back at your Postgraduate Diploma journey, which project or moment are you most proud of, and why?  I’m most proud of my postgraduate project, the Imago Pod. It brought together everything I’m passionate about – design, user experience and innovation. What made it meaningful was how I developed it from a conceptual idea into a fully considered space, focusing on how people move, feel and interact within it. I explored both the creative and technical sides, from concept and storytelling to materials and functionality. It challenged me to think deeper and push beyond standard design solutions.

You’ve excelled both academically and as a professional athlete. How did you manage the demands of training and studying at such a high level? Balancing both came down to discipline, structure and knowing my priorities. Being an athlete taught me consistency and time management, so I treated my studies with the same level of commitment as my training. I planned my days carefully, making sure I dedicated focused time to both and stayed flexible when things got demanding. There were sacrifices but having clear goals in both areas kept me motivated. In a way, they supported each other. 

Competing at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany and placing 4^th in the 4x400m relay is remarkable. What did that experience teach you? That experience taught me a lot about resilience, teamwork and performing under pressure. Competing at that level showed me that success isn’t just about talent. It’s about preparation, trust in your team and the ability to stay focused in high-stakes moments.  Placing 4^th was both rewarding and motivating. It reminded me how fine the margins are at that level and it pushed me to want more. It also reinforced the importance of showing up fully, not just physically but mentally as well. Most importantly, it taught me that growth often comes from those moments where you’re close to the podium. It fuels the hunger to keep improving.

Do you find that your athletic discipline influences your approach to your studies or design work? If so, how?  Yes, definitely. Athletics has shaped my mindset in a big way. It’s taught me discipline, consistency and how to stay focused on long-term goals, which I apply directly to my studies and design work. I approach projects the same way I approach training – with structure, commitment and attention to detail. It also helped me build resilience, so I’m able to handle pressure, meet deadlines and push through challenges. In design, that mindset translates into being intentional and always striving to improve, rather than settling for average.

Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your journey so far? My biggest source of inspiration has been my own vision for the future. Knowing what I want to build, both in my career and personally, has kept me focused and driven. I’m also inspired by the environments around me and how design can shape the way people feel and function. Seeing the impact that thoughtful, intentional spaces can have motivates me to keep pushing my work further. My mother has also been a huge source of inspiration. Her support, strength and belief in me have played a big role in my journey and continue to motivate me to keep striving for more. At the same time, my journey in athletics has reinforced that inspiration, constantly reminding me of what discipline, consistency and belief can achieve.

What challenges did you face during your studies and how did you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges was balancing my academic workload with the demands of being a professional athlete. There were times when deadlines, training and competitions all overlapped, which required a lot of discipline and time management. I also faced pressure during more complex design projects, especially when trying to meet both creative and technical expectations at a high standard. I overcame these challenges by staying structured, planning ahead and remaining consistent. My background in athletics helped me stay resilient and focused, even during stressful periods. I also learned to adapt quickly and make the most of the time I had, which allowed me to maintain a strong level of performance throughout my studies.

As you step into the professional world, what are your career aspirations?  As I step into the professional world, my goal is to grow as an interior designer who creates thoughtful, functional and impactful spaces. I want to be part of projects where concept, user experience and detail all come together in a meaningful way. In the long term, I hope to work on a variety of design projects that challenge me creatively and technically, while also allowing me to develop my own design voice. I’m especially interested in spaces that prioritise human experience and sustainability. Ultimately, I want to keep learning, gaining experience and contributing to work that feels intentional and makes a real difference in how people interact with their environments.

What advice would you give to students who aspire to excel both academically and in extracurricular pursuits like sport?  My biggest advice would be to stay disciplined and intentional with your time. When you’re balancing academics and sport, you can’t rely on motivation alone. You need structure and consistency. It’s also important to be realistic about your priorities during different seasons. There will be times when studies need more focus and other times when sport takes priority. Learning to adapt is key. Most importantly, don’t underestimate rest and recovery. Burnout is real and performing well in both areas requires taking care of your physical and mental well-being.  If you stay committed to your goals and keep pushing through challenges, you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve in both spaces.

• In congratulating Angelique, Inge Newport, Head of the Department of Interior Design, says:
  "In Angelique's five years with us, from arrival in her first year until the end of her Postgraduate Diploma, she showed an impressive degree of consistency with balancing her work and athletic commitments. I believe the discipline learned through her engagement in sports has filtered through in how she tackles her academic work. The standard and quality of her work are also on par with her steadfast accomplishments as an athlete. I wish her all the very best going forward and know that she will make a success of anything she chooses to take on."

Angelique participated at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany where her team placed 4^th in the 4x400m relay.