‘Please delete, worried my mother will see': SA reacts to 17-year-old's actuary degree

News24

a day ago

At just 17, Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli earned an actuarial science degree from the University of Pretoria while becoming the first graduate in her family, sparking national admiration and praise.
Social media erupted with a mix of celebration and humour, with users reflecting on their own 17-year-old experiences compared to Ntuli's remarkable achievement.
Some teens around the country jokingly asked for her posts to be deleted so that their own mothers don't see her remarkable achievement.
Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli's incredible journey has captured the hearts of many, sparking admiration, inspiration, and much-needed doses of humour from social media users.
Graduating from the University of Pretoria with a degree in actuarial science at the age of 17, Ntuli not only broke barriers as one of the institution's youngest graduates but also celebrated a monumental achievement as the first in her family to reach this milestone.
Her story of brilliance and resilience began in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, with an early academic spark that hinted at her exceptional abilities.
By the age of 15, while most of her peers were navigating high school, Ntuli took on one of academia's most difficult challenges - before she could even vote, drink or drive.
In the original story published by News24, Ntuli said: '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. My teacher identified this and allowed me to write more Grade 4 papers and saw that I performed exceptionally well.'
READ | She's only 17 and just completed her actuarial science degree: Meet Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli
Responding to the story among the waves of cheers from News24 readers and social media audiences, some couldn't help but mix awe with humour. From sharing quirky self-reflections about their own 17-year-old selves to cracking jokes about Ntuli's academic prowess, the reactions have been as entertaining as they are celebratory.
On News24's Instagram post, @Lekgotla.Kebonang joked: 'Please delete, worried my mother will see,' becoming the most liked comment.
Then, @Definitely_not_thabang added: 'I just know her cousins are fighting for their lives rn [right now].'
Meanwhile, @access.denied shared the celebratory energy with a side of caution, saying: 'I love to see black girls winning (I hope my parents don't see this).'
News24 readers also shared their heartfelt congratulations and encouragement in the story's comments sections. One such comment by user R.N. 87 read: 'Really well done, actuarial science is an extremely difficult degree. I know people who had straight 10As in matric and a 90% in maths drop down to business science due to the difficulty of actuarial science. Furthermore, given your humble background, it makes this achievement all the more impressive. Your parents, friends, and family must be so proud.'
Another reader, Shirleyg, praised Ntuli as an example of determination:
'How awesome! A wonderful example to others of what can be achieved if you are determined to rise above your adversities.'
I just know she inhaled high school. Leaving it at 14? Damn she didn't see it for nothing.
Insane IQ 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/zTlXFiGxLV
— Lady Harlot of House Harlots (@Iyaya_S) May 29, 2025
Over on X (formerly known as Twitter), the mix of humour and admiration continued to flow. User @broztitute jokingly lamented: 'Achievement so remarkable it ruined my day, bruh.'
@Linda_mot acknowledged Ntuli's unique gift with the comment: 'A vocation such as actuarial science is one gift. You cannot hard work yourself into that degree.'
Through all the jokes and heartfelt wishes, one thing is clear: Ntuli's achievement has resonated with people across the country as an inspiring story of perseverance, brilliance, and consistent belief in one's potential.