By Johnathan Paoli
In a moment that has inspired the nation, Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has congratulated Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli, who has made history by becoming one of the youngest graduates in the University of Pretoria’s history.
Nkabane commended Ntuli for her resilience and brilliance, praising the young graduate’s achievement as critical for inspiring those wanting to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.
“Hazel’s success is not only a personal triumph but a national beacon of hope. It comes at a time when South Africa is facing a critical decline in the number of learners enrolling in STEM subjects,” the minister said on Thursday.
At just 17, Ntuli completed her Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, a rare and rigorous achievement made even more extraordinary by her age.
Hailing from Rosettenville in Johannesburg, her story is one of exceptional academic talent, discipline and ambition, with her journey through education beginning with an extraordinary moment in Grade 3, when she mistakenly wrote a Grade 4 test and outperformed every learner in that grade.
Recognising her giftedness, teachers encouraged her to fast-track her learning, ultimately propelling her into university by the age of 14.
Actuarial science, which combines mathematics, statistics and financial theory to assess risk, is known for its academic intensity and professional rigour.
Nkabane described Ntuli’s decision to pursue such a demanding path and succeed in it as a powerful testament to her determination and intellect. She said it signalled the promise of a future generation that could contribute significantly to South Africa’s economic and developmental goals.
Her success has not come without challenges; entering university at 14 meant navigating academic pressure, social differences and high expectations from herself and others.
Yet she thrived, thanks to her internal drive and the supportive environment at UP.
In interviews, Ntuli credits her lecturers, mentors, residence house mother and faith for carrying her through.
“I always remind myself of why I started,” she shared.
Now 18, Ntuli is currently pursuing her Honours degree and is already setting her sights on a Master’s and an MBA.
She reflects on her time at UP as transformative.
“UP gave me mentorship, financial support and access to events that connected me with thinkers and leaders in STEM. It opened my eyes to what’s possible,” she said.
The minister highlighted Ntuli’s journey as a compelling argument for expanding access to quality education and providing targeted support for high-potential learners, regardless of their background.
“Her story affirms why early identification of talent and inclusive academic spaces matter. Hazel is not only breaking boundaries in the academic space; she is breaking intergenerational barriers, becoming the first graduate in her family, and lighting the way for countless others,” she said.
The young graduate’s journey has sparked conversation on social media and beyond, with a YouTube video by UP documenting her story drawing admiration and encouragement from viewers across the country.
In the video, she speaks with quiet confidence about her academic path, her dreams for the future and her advice for others.
“If an opportunity is presented to you, just do it. Take it with both hands and reach for those stars,” Ntuli encouraged.
In her final words, the minister urged young people, particularly girls, to take inspiration from Ntuli’s achievements.
INSIDE EDUCATION
