Lecturer: Science education, University of Pretoria

Lindelani Mnguni is fascinated by “how the person on the street benefits from scientific developments in areas such as HIV/Aids”. It’s the reason the 28-year old completed his PhD on how HIV has been taught and learned in South African schools. It’s a long way from his childhood in rural KwaZulu-Natal, where he was the only student in his year to pass matric and go on to university. Life has taught him many humbling lessons.

When he was completing his BSc at Natal University, he worked as a gardener to earn money for food. Today, Mnguni takes his roles as lecturer and head of residence seriously, helping students from rural areas to adapt to university life, even leading them in group prayer and motivation sessions every week. Through his passion and perseverance, Mnguni is teaching his students an important lesson: it doesn’t matter where you come from, only where you are going.

— Victoria John

Twitter: @drlinelanim