Double the diligence: Top-achieving twin sisters prepare to study at UP

Wilna, a former prefect, matriculated with an outstanding average of 92% and nine distinctions. She was the top achiever at her school in Afrikaans Home Language, English First Additional Language and History. 

“Seeing the results made all the hard work, long hours and sacrifices worthwhile,” Wilna says. “My sister stayed up until midnight to check our results, so when I woke up the next morning, the first thing I heard was that I had nine distinctions – I was over the moon.”

Wilna will be studying actuarial science at UP.

“I’ve always loved numbers, so studying actuarial sciences feels like the perfect fit for me,” says Wilna. “I know the degree is challenging, and that’s exactly why I’m excited; I don’t want to take the easy road. I’m looking forward to figuring out tough problems alongside people who share my passion for maths. The rewarding part is knowing that one day, I’ll be able to use these skills to help people with things like insurance and financial planning, making a real difference in their lives.”

Her twin, Selmé, will be pursuing a BCom in Accounting at UP and, like her sister, she is also a prefect. She got an impressive 88% with six distinctions and was the top performer at her school in Tourism. She says she felt “extremely proud and relieved” as her results reflected her dedication and efforts.

“What excites me about studying accounting is the opportunity to gain strong financial and analytical skills that are essential in the business world,” Selmé says. “I’m eager to learn how accounting is applied in real-life situations and how it contributes to making decisions in organisations. The degree also excites me because it offers diverse career opportunities and the chance to work in a respected and in-demand field.”

For Wilna, faith played a huge role; she says praying and reading the Bible kept her focused and motivated. Selmé adds that the support they got from their family and teachers contributed to their excellent results.

While they point out that it was not easy managing their academic workload and making time for sport, social life and other personal responsibilities, they feel it helped them develop resilience and discipline.

The Beetge twins share why they chose to study at the University of Pretoria.

“What stood out to me about UP was the people,” Wilna says. “Even before starting, I could see how welcoming and motivated the students are and how supportive the community feels. It’s the kind of environment that makes you excited to learn, grow and challenge yourself, knowing you’ll be surrounded by others who are just as driven.” 

“I value UP’s strong emphasis on practical learning and equipping students with real-world skills,” Selmé adds. “The supportive academic environment and culture of excellence set it apart from other universities, as well as its excellent academic standing, especially in commerce and accounting. It is also conveniently close to home. And I’m excited to be staying at Erica residence, as I look forward to becoming part of a vibrant community and making the most of campus life.”