WeeklySA_AdminVision: Her resilience was powered by a clear vision and a strong support system from her lecturers at the University of Pretoria
By Monk Nkomo
Powered by a clear vision, perseverance and grit , a teenage girl from Rosettenville, Johannesburg is off to make her mark in the world after becoming the youngest -ever graduate to be conferred with the degree in Actuarial Science at the University of Pretoria (UP) – at the tender age of 17.
Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli’s academic talents were exposed at an early age when she excelled and even performed better than her seniors in all her subjects while at primary school. Her pursuit to build a better future for herself propelled her to move confidently in the direction of her dreams guided by The Almighty.
At an age when most teenagers were still navigating high school, she will be donning her graduation gown this autumn at the university which will be celebrating not only an academic milestone but the spirit of a young woman who is poised to help shape the future of her country.
Ntuli’s academic journey is nothing short of remarkable. She began her university studies in 2022, having accelerated through primary and secondary school after her academic talents became clear at an early age.
“When I was in Grade 3, I mistakenly wrote a Grade 4 mathematics paper and scored the highest of all the actual Grade 4 students,” she recalls. “My teacher identified this and allowed me to write more Grade 4 papers, and saw that I performed exceptionally well.”
This led to an extraordinary academic leap, eventually placing her in university, years ahead of her peers. Her achievements, she says, were grounded in gratitude and faith: “I first and foremost attribute it all to God.”
Choosing UP was an easy decision for Hazel. “It was the first university to call out to me when I applied. It had the best perks and is one of the top-ranked actuarial science departments that is internationally recognised. The balance of being both far and near to home added to the appeal.
Despite her academic brilliance, being significantly younger than her classmates brought about a few challenges.
“Many students treated me like the little sister they never had. There were a lot of expectations of me and it got difficult to meet those expectations.”
Learning to work with older peers and finding her voice in unfamiliar academic spaces was a steep, but rewarding, learning curve.
Her resilience was powered by a clear vision and a strong support system – mentors, friends, lecturers and especially her house mother, Zamile, who constantly encouraged her to step out of her shell.
Hazel also lauded her mentor from the department, Refilwe Lehobo, as well as the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Merit Awards team, Momentum mentors and the office of UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Francis Petersen.
“I always reminded myself of why I had started and made sure that my ‘why’ was strong enough. Having multiple vision boards kept me on track and of course, prayer.”
A particularly memorable moment was receiving confirmation of her graduation. “I thought I had failed and would need to repeat the year. It was a sign that no matter how many times I got knocked down, as long as I got back up, I still had a fighting chance.”
Now pursuing an honours degree, Hazel has no plans to slow down. “After this, I am planning to both work and further my studies. I have always wanted an MBA.”
Her long-term vision includes qualifying as an actuary and stepping into the business world when the time is right. As the first in her family to graduate from university, Hazel sees this moment not just as a personal victory but as a generational milestone.
“My parents will have their much-deserved bragging rights,” she says. “It will alleviate a lot of pressure and burdens that my family has been carrying for so long.”
To other young people dreaming of early university admission or facing big challenges, her advice is heartfelt: “Be teachable. You don’t know everything. Learn how to fail forward. Take your losses, mix them up with perseverance and grit. Be like a baby when taking on a challenge – ready to receive all the knowledge and wisdom you can.”
Hazel’s story is a powerful example of what is possible when determination meets opportunity. As she crosses the stage during the autumn graduation ceremony, UP will celebrate not only an academic milestone but the spirit of a young woman who is poised to shape the future.
A young woman who has persevered for years to achieve her ambition and to prove to all and sundry especially the youth that an investment in knowledge really paid the best interest.
