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Achievements & Success Stories | Isaah Alexy Mhlanga

Isaah Alexy Mhlanga has always been a busy guy. He graduated with honours from the University of Johannesburg's Department of Economics and Econometrics. And while studying, he came third in the Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech competition, and got the chance to meet Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel. But it hasn't always been easy.

"I attended high school at Matseliso High in Meadowlands, Soweto. I loved Maths, Physics, Biology and Geography, but I wasn't a big fan of language," he says.

"I did all my subjects at Higher Grade because I knew I had the potential to do well in them. I attended school from Monday to Sunday, and was usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. At night, I'd be up until 2 am, trying to get ahead with my studies."

Most of Isaah's classmates thought he was crazy but that didn't seem to bother him. Because he was from a poor background, Isaah sometimes had to go to school without breakfast or money to buy lunch. "I couldn't watch other students eat, so I used my breaks to ask questions and do my assignments and homework." He quickly learned to focus his attention on something other than hunger or his negative circumstances.

"I knew that my father couldn't afford university fees, so my matric results had to get me in," he explains. "My duty was to study... hard. In the end, I matriculated with straight A's."

In his matric year, Isaah partook in Pro Maths in Dobsonville, a programme sponsored by Investec Bank's CSI department. His excellent results soon got the attention of the CSI head of Investec Bank, Setlongane Mancidi, who made it a point to offer Isaah a bursary.

The bursary he received was administered through one of the partner organisations of NSFAS, namely Study Trust, and NSFAS was further able to assist Isaah with his study related costs to complete his undergraduate degree.

At university, Isaah liked Economics from the very first class. "There was a logical link between action, cause and consequence, and between yesterday, today and tomorrow. Economists don't just shape the world; they create it." And Isaah knew that he wanted to become a part of those creators.

Today he is employed as an economist for the International Monetary Fund.

I want to make people richer and myself wealthy in the process!" he says.

Isaah's advice to young people: "If you can't afford to study, that's not a train smash. Work like there is no tomorrow. Get those results - good results - and don't give up. Do your research and apply for bursaries or financial aid as early as you can. Be positive - if you have a brain and you use it wisely, you're bound to succeed."

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