BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
In 2022, Nomhle Ngwenya became the youngest PhD graduate at the University of the Witwatersrand’s science faculty.
At just 25 years old, she became the youngest academic to obtain a PhD in science. She was also the first black woman to jump straight from an honours programme to a PhD in the history of Wits.
Before her, the title of the youngest PhD graduate across all faculties at Wits was awarded to a 23-year-old student in the field of medicine in the early 2000s, according to Wits senior communications specialist Buhle Zuma.
Ngwenya always knew she wanted to carve a career in the field of geography, but she never imagined that one day she would achieve such an academic milestone.
She enrolled for a BA degree in sociology and geography at Wits in 2015, and completed the degree in 2017. After that, Ngwenya pursued a bachelor of science honours degree in geography. The specialised degree looked at sustainability science, water science and human geography components, including environmental management and other rarely covered topics.
She urges undergraduate students to further their studies after obtaining a degree.
“I think there should be more support regarding opportunities which are rarely spoken about to undergraduates, about what can be achieved after their undergraduate studies. There are opportunities such as honours, master’s and PhD programmes. Sometimes we don’t need to rush off into the job market.”
Image: Twitter
