Dr Zanelle Mngadi and daughter Niña Hammond share their unique tertiary education story

Dr Zanelle Mngadi is a respected professor of finance who holds ten degrees and is currently stationed at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
In a remarkable feat, Dr Mngadi registered for and completed her LLB at Wits alongside her daughter, Niña. Dr Mngadi says she took the decision after she realised that Niña, who was naturally bright, was struggling to reach this dream.

Niña describes her surprise at hearing that her mother had registered for the degree. Niña also says that her mother helped to pull her out of a depression that developed following the tragic death of her older sister. 

The process was challenging for Dr Mngadi, who had to juggle lecturing at overseas universities, running her Emangadini foundation as well as studying four years' worth of law courses in just three years.

She says she drew motivation from her daughter during the degree, in much the same way that Niña herself found support and inspiration from her mother. Dr Mngadi comments that the LLB was the most enjoyable of her degrees, and it also changed her perspective on her other qualifications and enhanced the way she does her daily work. 

Dr Mngadi and Niña's story is an inspirational one of great love and a deep determination to see those close to you become the best version of themselves.