Latest news with #UniversityofPretoria
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
eMalahleni learners get career boost
Emalahleni Local Municipality Youth Desk hosted a successful career exhibition at the Witbank Dam, bringing together over 400 learners from across the municipality. The event on May 23 aimed to provide young learners with access to career guidance, educational opportunities, and exposure to various industries. Executive Mayor Clr Vusi Nhlapho delivered the keynote address, emphasising the municipality's commitment to creating platforms that expose the youth to real opportunities for growth and development. 'When we invest in our youth, we are investing in the future of eMalahleni,' Clr Nhlapho said. 'Through initiatives like this Career Expo, we are planting seeds of ambition, exposing young people to real-world possibilities, and reminding them that their dreams are valid and achievable.' Youth Development Coordinator Itumeleng Kabini outlined the purpose of the day and delivered a powerful motivational message, encouraging learners to take initiative in building their futures. 'It's time for you to take charge of your future,' Itumeleng urged. 'Explore the opportunities, ask questions, and seize the chances that come your way.' The event featured a walkabout session where learners interacted with various institutions and companies, including Nkangala TVET College, the University of Pretoria, and Eskom. Young professionals Ursula Ntuli and Mthuthuzela Mahlangu also shared their experiences, inspiring learners to pursue their dreams. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Science
- The Citizen
Girl (17) obtains Actuarial Science degree, one of UP's youngest-ever graduates
Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli (17) has become one of the University of Pretoria's (UP) youngest-ever graduates when she obtained her degree in Actuarial Science, earning her a nod from Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane. Originally from Rosettenville in Johannesburg, Ntuli's academic journey is an inspiring tale of early talent and exceptional perseverance. She began her university studies in 2022 after rapidly progressing through primary and secondary school, thanks to her outstanding academic abilities recognised from 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 said in a press UP press release. 'My teacher identified this and allowed me to write more Grade 4 papers, and saw that I performed exceptionally well.' Minister Nkabane described Ntuli's accomplishment as an extraordinary milestone, making her one of the youngest graduates in the university's history, and a shining example of academic excellence, resilience, and the transformative power of education. 'Hazel's story is one of exceptional talent, discipline, and vision. Her ability to excel from an early age; her courage to navigate university life years ahead of her peers, and her determination to push through challenges, are deeply inspiring. 'Her pursuit of a qualification in Actuarial Science – a demanding discipline that is central to problem solving, financial risk management, economic modelling, and long-term sustainability – is particularly commendable,' Nkabane said in a statement on Thursday. The minister emphasised that Ntuli's success represents not only a personal triumph, but a beacon of hope for the nation. 'Her success comes at a time when South Africa is facing a critical decline in the number of learners enrolling in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects. These fields are crucial to building a competitive, inclusive, and resilient economy, and young people like Hazel are proof that with the right support and determination, our youth can rise to the task of building a stronger, more sustainable South African economy. 'Her story affirms the importance of identifying and nurturing talent early, and of creating learning environments that support young people to thrive, regardless of age, gender, or background. 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,' the Minister said. Nkabane encouraged learners across the country, especially particularly young girls, to draw inspiration from Ntuli's journey. 'As she continues her studies and charts a path into the professional world, Hazel carries with her the hopes of a nation and the pride of her community.' – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Athlete to run almost 450km from Pretoria to Thohoyandou in aid of ending GBV
Athlete to run almost 450km from Pretoria to Thohoyandou in aid of ending GBV At just 26 years old, Pfano Ungedzani is lacing up not just for a run, but for an anti-GBV mission that spans nearly 450km, many towns, and the broken hearts of South Africans. On Sunday, June 1, the rising athlete will begin a seven-day run from Hatfield in Pretoria to Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, his home turf, with a message too urgent to ignore: enough is enough. Born and raised in the rural village of Tshidzini near Thohoyandou, Ungedzani is no stranger to hardship. From selling his phone to afford transport to competitions, to sleeping at a petrol station due to a lack of accommodation, his journey has been marked by persistence, poverty, and purpose. Now ranked 38th in South Africa in the 400m event with a personal best of 48.3 seconds, he's set his sights on the Olympics. But before chasing gold, he's running for justice. Ungedzani's running journey began at Tshamutshedzi Primary School in 2008. 'I participated in school athletics, and I would always win at the circuit level,' he said. His early talent saw him climb the competitive ladder to district and provincial levels, where he ran at the iconic Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. His early years lacked access to facilities and exposure. 'There were limited opportunities for track events in my village,' he said. But moving to Pretoria in 2021 changed everything. Training first with Masai Club under the watchful eye of Olympic champion Caster Semenya, Ungedzani soon caught the attention of the University of Pretoria's athletics team. 'Joining UP motivated me to love running even more. 'Now, my dream is to represent South Africa on the world stage.' Growing up, Ungedzani idolised sprinters like Akani Simbine and Usain Bolt. Meeting Simbine in person was a moment of inspiration, confirming to Ungedzani that greatness was within reach. Today, he channels that same spirit of excellence into his training and advocacy, hoping to shave off three seconds to qualify for the Olympics. 'The GBV crisis in South Africa is horrifying. Femicide rates are five times higher than the global average. I've seen friends, family and neighbours suffer in silence. I couldn't just sit back. 'This run is my way of saying 'no more'.' Ungedzani's upcoming journey will see him running about 64km per day for seven consecutive days. He'll pass through towns, townships, and rural landscapes that mirror the one he grew up in. While he begins alone in Pretoria, he expects to be joined by fellow runners around Polokwane. 'The risks are real: injuries, dehydration, exhaustion, but I've trained for this. I have a physiotherapist travelling with me. I'm doing this for something bigger than myself.' Challenges still remain, such as accommodation, which has only been secured for two out of seven nights. He hopes new sponsors or supporters will come on board in time. He believes in the power of sport to address gender-based violence (GBV) and substance abuse, another crisis affecting youth in his community. 'Sports build confidence, discipline, and community. They help people make better choices and give them something to believe in,' he said. After the run, he plans to launch a non-profit organisation to provide training, mentorship, and resources to aspiring young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. 'We'll be a support system for those who need it most. My goal is to create a space where young people can thrive, athletically and personally. 'I want young people, especially those from rural areas like mine, to know their dreams are valid. No matter the obstacles, believe in yourself,' he said. ALSO READ: Times Square turns International Burger Day into month-long celebration Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Historic graduation: 17-year-old Mongiwa Ntuli earns Actuarial Science degree
Mongiwa Ntuli is due to graduate soon at the age of 17 in Actuarial Science. This humble academic said she will continue with her studies to reach the milestones she has set for herself. Image: Supplied In a remarkable academic achievement, a 17-year-old student obtained a degree in Actuarial Science. Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli graduated with a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Pretoria. The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, extended a heartfelt congratulations to Ntuli, on Thursday. This extraordinary milestone made Ntuli one of the youngest graduates in the university's history, and a shining example of academic excellence, resilience and the transformative power of education. Originally from Rosettenville in Johannesburg, Ntuli's story is one of exceptional talent, discipline, and vision. Her ability to excel from an early age, her courage to navigate university life years ahead of her peers, and her determination to push through challenges are deeply inspiring. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "Her pursuit of a qualification in Actuarial Science, a demanding discipline that is central to problem solving, financial risk management, economic modelling, and long-term sustainability is particularly commendable. Ntuli'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 (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects," Minister Nkabane said. The Minister added that these fields are crucial to building a competitive, inclusive, and resilient economy. "Young people like Ntuli are proof that with the right support and determination, our youth can rise to the task of building a stronger, more sustainable South African economy. Her story affirms the importance of identifying and nurturing talent early, and of creating learning environments that support young people to thrive, regardless of age, gender or background. Ntuli 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," the Minister further stated. Nkabane encouraged learners across the country, especially young girls, to take inspiration from Ntuli's journey. "As she continues her studies and charts a path into the professional world, Hazel carries with her the hopes of a nation and the pride of her community," the Minister further added. Ntuli's academic prowess was picked up during her early schooling days. 'When I was in Grade 3, I mistakenly wrote a Grade 4 mathematics paper and scored the highest of all the actual Grade 4 learners. My teacher identified this and allowed me to write more Grade 4 papers, and saw that I performed exceptionally well,' Ntuli said. Her achievements, she says, are grounded in gratitude and faith. 'I first and foremost attribute it all to God.' Choosing UP was an easy decision for Mongiwa. 'It was the first university to call out to me when I applied. It has 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. '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,' she said. Now pursuing an Honours degree, Mongiwa has no plans to slow down. 'After this, I'm planning to both work and further my studies. I've 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, Mongiwa sees this moment not just as a personal victory but as a generational milestone. 'My parents will have their much-deserved bragging rights. It will alleviate a lot of pressure and burdens that my family has been carrying for so long.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Give a cane, give the visually impaired freedom
Last year, SA raised enough funds to buy 500 white canes. This year, the aim is to double the impact, one R50 donation at a time. After the success of the SA Guide-Dogs Association's inaugural Give a Cane Campaign in 2024, which provided 500 white canes to people living with visual impairments, the organisation has launched Give a Cane 2025 with an even bigger goal in sight. This year, the campaign calls on South Africans to help raise enough money to fund the distribution of at least 1 000 white canes and essential orientation and mobility training. With donations starting at just R50, everyone can be part of someone's journey to independence. 'A white cane is so much more than a mobility aid; it's freedom, dignity, and the confidence to move through life independently,' says Pieter van Niekerk, the association's spokesperson. Real lives. Real impact Take Mtale Moodise, a gym enthusiast from Cosmo City, who confidently walks to and from the gym with the help of his cane. Or Ceala, who lost her vision suddenly during matric and, after a year of adjustment and support, passed her exams and is now studying psychology at the University of Pretoria. Then there's Henrick, who lost his sight at age eight and is now a first-year law student with dreams of working in cybersecurity. Each of these lives was changed by something as simple and powerful as a white cane. The white cane the association provides is not a regular walking stick. It's a specialised mobility tool with a rounded ball tip, designed to detect changes in terrain—from sidewalks to tactile paving—and signals to others that the user is visually impaired. This promotes safety, awareness, and inclusion in public spaces. Get involved You don't have to walk alone, and you don't have to give big. A R50 donation helps bring someone closer to independence. You can also: • Host a dress-up day, walk-a-thon, or blindfold challenge at work or school; • Encourage your book club, community, or running group to chip in; • Start a R50 donation challenge at the office; • Take part in an online gaming fundraiser; • Walk, run, or cycle 50 km and get sponsored; • And if you are a business, remember that donations are eligible for Section 18A tax certificates. Join the movement. Help SA Guide-Dogs provide 1 000 canes and unlock the world for more blind or visually impaired people. Donate now or set up your fundraiser at the South African Guide-Dogs Association. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
