Meet the Nxumalos, four siblings who believe that their course in life has been directly impacted by their time as students at the University of Pretoria (UP).

Nsuku Nxumalo-Chanakira – who graduated with a BSc in Environmental and Engineering Geology (2015) and an honours degree in Hydrogeology in (2016) – now works as a principal hydrologist at Thungela Resources in Rosebank. She says that she and her siblings grew up in a humble Christian home in Limpopo, filled with love and laughter. They were also encouraged by their parents to work hard and achieve academic excellence.

“Our parents were both lecturers at the University of Limpopo (our dad still is), and we lived on the campus although we later moved to the city [Polokwane,” Nsuku says. “Those early years of being brought up in an academic environment must have inspired a love of education and specifically, books, in all of us.”

Her sister Tinyiko Nxumalo-Denhere CA(SA) obtained BCom and honours degrees in Accounting Sciences in 2013 and 2014 respectively, and an MCom in the same field in 2018. She works at the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation in London as part of the International Accounting Standards Board’s technical staff. Tinyiko says UP has provided a solid foundation in that it prepared her for the workplace.

“I learnt to take ownership of my work, be disciplined and open-minded, be a well-rounded individual and interact with people from different backgrounds on a professional and social level,” she says. “I’ve achieved this with the help of UP’s academic programme and support, residence and campus activities, and the diversity of the students.”

Tinyiko says London is similar to South Africa in that it is diverse, but that the diversity is different because it encompasses people from all over the world. While she is happy in her new home, she admits that every time she hears an Amapiano track, she gets nostalgic about South Africa.

Mashudu, who holds an MSc in Microbiology (2017), says UP changed the trajectory of her life.

“During my studies, I was introduced to high-level experts in the field of microbiology,” she says. “More than that, UP inculcated in me the idea of living a life of impact. As such, I became a  mentor for the STARS mentorship programme which assists first year students to acclimatize to university. and deputy president of the Pledge a Pad Society, which donated sanitary towels to underprivileged girls.”

She says that other than the challenges that came with studying and staying focused, getting an education from UP was amazing.

Mashudu is a technology transfer officer at Stellenbosch University. She says there is much more to the job than filing patents – it is about making a difference. She adds that she also enjoys engaging with researchers in her field.

Their younger brother, Khamimamba, is in his final year of a BCom degree in Accounting Sciences. He says that one of the hallmarks of UP is its vibrant social atmosphere. For him, the University offers students plenty of opportunities to cultivate meaningful connections and engage in diverse extracurricular activities. He adds that at UP, academic rigour is more than a standard, it is a commitment to excellence that permeates every degree programme.

“UP fosters a dynamic social environment that enriches the university experience,” Khamimamba says. “My sisters and I have had the privilege of staying in UP residences, where we not only benefited from comprehensive orientation programmes, but also enjoyed social gatherings that enhanced our sense of belonging and camaraderie within the UP community.”

For Khamimamba, education is the key to unlocking personal and professional growth.

“It provides us with the tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of life, equipping us with essential skills, fostering resilience and instilling in us a lifelong curiosity for learning.”