Glory Ngwenya, an Actuarial Science student, is the recipient of the 2022 Adrian Gore Fellowship Award (AGF) offered by Discovery. It is the very first time that a Matie has won the award.
Ngwenya was chosen from among the top Actuarial Science Honours students from four universities – the Universities of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, the Witwatersrand and Pretoria – who were vying for the fellowship, named after Discovery's celebrated founder CEO Adrian Gore.
Now in its tenth year, the Adrian Gore Fellowship is awarded annually to the top actuarial science students selected from the four competing universities. The fellowship programme is designed to offer rapid career growth for the recipient within the actuarial science field.
During her participation in the three-year fellowship programme, Ngwenya will receive mentorship from Gore, as well as some of the best actuaries in the field. Additional benefits include support towards her journey to qualify as an actuary and extra training opportunities. The fellowship will commence in 2023.
Ngwenya, who is currently completing her BComHons in Actuarial Science, said she is honoured to have been awarded the fellowship.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one I never imagined possible. I hope that by being the first winner from SU, I am able to inspire future Maties to make the most out of every opportunity presented and give their all, even when things may seem impossible."
The aspiring actuary said once she has qualified she would like to enhance her skills as an actuary in order to positively contribute to the lives of those around her.
She added: “I am also extremely grateful for the support and guidance that I have received during the course of my studies at Stellenbosch. I have learnt a lot of things, both inside and outside the classroom, that have helped shape who I am today."
Gore said of the winner: “Glory possesses remarkable intelligence combined with an agile mind, which gives her the ability to go straight to the heart of the matter. She has a strong track record of leadership achievement, and a real ambition to make the world a better place. She impressed us with her ability to grasp the scope of complex problems, but also with her analytical and strategic approach to finding solutions, which she presented to her audience in an articulate and confident way, but with humility and poise."
Prof Ronel du Preez-Snyman, Vice-Dean (Learning and Teaching), said: “We are confident that Glory will be a proud recipient of this award and that Discovery and the industry at large will continue to recognise the excellence of our graduates in this manner."
To enter the programme candidates must be academically brilliant, show leadership potential, believe in Discovery's mission to make people healthier, and show evidence of living the company values. Candidates are also required to complete a set of challenging cognitive tests and to deliver presentations on difficult topics to senior executives with very little time to prepare.
- Photo (supplied): Glory Ngwenya
