17-YEAR-OLD GRADUATES FROM UNIVERSITY

Hazel Ntuli has become one of the University of Pretoria’s youngest-ever graduates at just 17 years old.

Ntuli now holds a degree in Actuarial Science.

The Johannesburg-born student’s academic brilliance was discovered by accident.

“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.”

With that, her talent was recognised and supported by her teachers and parents. It wasn’t long until her academic career took massive leaps.

She chose the University of Pretoria because of its reputation.

“It’s one of the top-ranked actuarial science departments that is internationally recognised.”

Although clearly a brilliant mind, Ntuli says the emotional part was challenging.

“There were a lot of expectations of me, and it got difficult to meet those expectations. Many students treated me like the little sister they never had.”

Now that she’s graduated, there’s no stopping Ntuli. She has already enrolled for an honours degree with an MBA as her end goal.

“After this, I’m planning to both work and further my studies. I’ve always wanted an MBA.”

Ntuli’s advice to others is to “be teachable. You don’t know everything. Learn how to fail forward. Take your losses, mix them up with perseverance and grit.”

Image credit: Kaya 959