Against financial odds and personal sacrifice, a young scholar rises from Mokamole village to achieve academic distinction at the University of Limpopo
By Lesego Maaba- ulpublications@ul.ac.za
Nare Letlhaka (21) has earned a BSc in Medical Science from the University of Limpopo (UL) through resilience, sacrifice and determination, overcoming significant financial challenges
At just 21, Nare Letlhaka celebrates earning a BSc in Medical Science from the University of Limpopo (UL), marking a hard-won academic milestone shaped by resilience and determination.
As he walked across the stage during UL’s 2026 Autumn Graduation Ceremonies, the moment symbolised not only the completion of his degree in record time, but also the triumph over years of financial hardship and personal sacrifice.
Born and raised in Mokamole Makekeng village, just outside Mokopane in Limpopo, Letlhaka grew up in a middle income household. With only one stable income, supporting the family proved to be an ongoing struggle.
“It wasn’t easy, but I chose not to rely on my parents’ support,” he recalls. “My mother works as a clerk at a local hospital, and my father takes on odd jobs. Together, they provide a modest but steady income that covers the family’s needs.”
He adds that his brother was unemployed at the time of his studies, while his younger sibling is still in high school, which deepened his sense of responsibility to stand on his own. “There were weeks when the pressure weighed heavily, yet giving up was never an option. I wanted to prove to myself that I could build my path without relying on inheritance or family resources.”
“There were days I did not know how I would survive, but I reminded myself why I started — and I kept going.”
During his third year, Letlhaka encountered a serious setback when his funding was discontinued. Faced with this major obstacle, he refused to let it derail his plans.
Instead, he turned to entrepreneurship. From his student room, he began selling snacks and bread to fellow students to afford basic necessities.
“That experience instilled discipline in me, financial literacy, and the importance of planning ahead,” Letlhaka reflects. “It moved beyond mere survival, it was about finding a way to keep my dream alive.”
Despite these challenges, he maintained an unwavering focus on his studies. While his peers enjoyed the social side of university life, Letlhaka prioritised his academic commitments.
“There were moments of self-doubt, especially when things did not go according to plan,” he admits. “At times, it felt like I had to work ten times harder than everyone else.”
In 2025, Letlhaka was recognised as one of the University’s top three academic achievers in his school — a testament to his persistence and disciplined commitment.
Initially, he did not pursue a BSc in Medical Science out of passion, but as a strategic pathway towards studying medicine. Along the way, however, the journey sparked a strong interest in genetics.
This newfound passion opened up new possibilities, particularly in the field of Genetic Counselling. Drawing inspiration from pioneers such as Barry Shingwenyana, South Africa’s first Black male Genetic Counsellor and a fellow UL alumnus, Letlhaka found a career path that resonated deeply with him.
“I realised that sometimes your purpose finds you along the journey,” he reflects.
Driven by this vision, he is determined to help bridge healthcare disparities by introducing Genetic Counselling services in Limpopo and advocating for the establishment of a Genetic Counselling programme at UL.
Beyond his academic success, Letlhaka credits his family and community as the driving forces behind his journey.
“They reminded me of my roots and my responsibility to succeed,” he says. “I want to prove to young people from rural villages that their background is not a ceiling, but a foundation.”