15 Year Old Tapiwa Shendelane Makes History As The Youngest Engineering Student At Wits University

Maud Chifamba made history when she became the youngest University student at the age of 14. Now there’s another Zimbabwean making history this time in South Africa for being the youngest Engineering student at Wits University.

15 year old Tapiwa matriculated with six distinctions last year and got accepted to study a BSc in Industrial Engineering at Wits University.

Professor Ian Jandrell, dean of engineers said Tapiwa is the youngest engineering student at Wits. “Readiness for university is a state of mind, not age. She is a phenomenal young person”, he said.

Tapiwa told reporters she loves Maths and Science, so Engineering is perfect for her and was happy to be accepted. The 15 year old says she finds the classes to be interesting but she’s loving every moment.

“I want to go on to do my masters degree and then maybe I will open my own company. I have faith that I can do it, especially because it’s something I love”, she said.